The purse has long been a strong symbol of femininity. Certainly Hollywood types have appreciated the high-priced Birkin and Kelly bags. But beyond the high-level name dropping, the handbag has become the accessory of the moment.
It's profile was boosted by status seekers who joined waiting lists to pay thousands of dollars for the name bag. And, as frequently happens, the idea flowed down to a wide range of prices and novelty styles. A few years ago, the plastic Kelly-like "Jelly Kelly" sold for less than $50 and became the rage and reason for a series of lawsuits.
Most women used to see the handbag simply as classic and functional, says Ellen Goldstein, chairman of the handbag department at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology.
"They bought two bags a year:one for fall and one for spring." Bags have now become like jewlery or scarves, and women tend to collect them, Goldstein says.
A bag can cost $15 or more than $15,000. Rachelle Copeland, founder of the Alexis Hudson handbag line, says accessories, especially bags, have become significantly more popular in the past five years. The obsession with celebrity has helped to drive the so-called "It" item, usually from high-priced designers.
But women are getting smarter. Because of the economy, they may buy fewer clothes, and update the look with a new bag, she says.
Libby Andrews used to be all business. After getting her MBA at the University of Chicago, she worked in technology and sales management.
Yet when she was settled in Chicago and had three children in three years, she found her creative right brian. She began designing and marketing handbags and fine jewlery. In less than two years, through handbag parties, Web site, and specialty stores, her business, Libby's Luxuries, has had $250,000 in sales this year.
Andrews is one of a growing group of designing women who are directing their creative talents into bags. Here are two more, but many others are making similar efforts around the nation.
