The Explorer, This slim bag offers enough space and protection to carry your beloved tablet or laptop without compromising on style. There is a handle on the flap and a removable leather shoulder strap. Seen in the photo with a file folder, this is IDEAL for keeping your slim notebook computer or tablet device of any size, safe and sound while you run around to meetings or go out shopping! Available in Italian Tobacco Croco, Metallic Platinum Leather, and Royal Blue Croco.

The Explorer has a removable pad to protect your laptop or tablet (Interior of Explorer Handbag)

The Dindia Tote!

This full sized, all leather tote comes in 3 colors; platinum, black, and metallic apricot. It has a removable strap and removable laptop padding if you want to convert it after work. Built to last, this solid tote with reinforced leather handles will go the distance with you and let you bring everything!

The Dindia is a 18" wide handbag that can fit any laptop

The Jipsea: This over-sized, front flap, carry all comes in 3 colors as well. Beige, Purple, and the Turquoise pictured here. It’s fiercely adorned with spikes and braided leather fringe. She’s a beast and is quality built to take all you have to give and has a removable cross-body strap so you can go mobile. The Jipsea also comes with a removable laptop pad so it can go from business to pleasure in a snap when you find it possible to leave the laptop on the desk!

Jipsea Bag

*All FashionJenn Handbags are Made in America.

If you haven’t heard, it’s my honor to tell you that I have been invited to show a collection at Midwest Fashion Week 2011. Midwest Fashion Week (MFW) began in 2006 when Catou Couture fashion designer Berny Martin, discovered a need for an outlet to allow local, national, and international designers, models, stylists, and photographers to showcase their talents. I’ve designed a new collection for the season and this is an amazing opportunity for me to share it.

I’m looking forward to showing a re-imagined, evolution of my Signature Collection with some smart and highly functional handbags. A handful of entirely new pieces  will round out the showing.

The fall air is also bringing me closer to nature, natural (bold) colors and materials, these things inspire me lately. Structured shapes and refined finishes put a feeling of luxe and lasting quality to the natural materials. While I may find myself going back to the tried and true classics of fall fashion for a look, it’s always a good time for a ‘statement piece’ accessory, especially a handbag.

I’m REALLY excited that I get to show this new season in my hometown of Indianapolis. It means a lot after living outside of Chicago for the last ten years to get to come home and be part of this years show (extra butterflies). I really hope to get a group of friends and relatives to attend (hint, hint). Alas, these next four weeks (and sadly the show as well) will be gone in a flash, so I am going to make this one to remember, I hope you all enjoy it!

Being an indie designer can often be a bit lonely, spending countless hours holed up in my studio cutting fabric, sanding, painting and sketching. Though I think you never truly know yourself until you create alone there is an interesting phenomenon that has begun to take shape in our generation. Perhaps it is a need to be different, a need to have a voice, a need to share and to become a more responsible consumer. The definition of “community” has changed so dramatically in my relatively short lifespan. We are no longer defined by zip codes, state lines or vast oceans…all we have to do is to turn on our computers and type the infinite phrase:http://www.______.com. There is quite possibly a limitless amount of information available at our fingertips.

Most artists, designers and crafters are all very familiar with Etsy the premiere handmade marketplace to buy and sell handmade items. What I didn’t expect was a conversation I overheard this weekend while in an upscale salon in the Chicagoland Suburbs. Two twenty-somethings were perusing hair magazines, one toting a black Coach Bag and the other a very unique tote which had of course immediately caught my attention as well.

They were having a conversation about their handbags and the girl mentioned that she had purchased it on Etsy. The other girl started asking questions, commenting that she had never heard of that store but that she really would like to have a handbag that everyone else wasn’t carrying.

What struck my interest most about their conversation was the shift in consumer attitude. Now I realize that this isn’t any sort of ground breaking discovery on my part, it was just very unexpected especially given my location where labels are the ultimate status symbol. It drove home the realization that there has in fact been real growth in the independent market and that it had even stretched to the spot in which I was sitting.

And strangely enough this morning while sorting through my e-mail and favorite morning blogs I stumbled on an Etsy video I thought was worth sharing:

What I enjoy most about Etsy is the communal environment of creativity they have built. You can add items and shops to a favorites list, share, ask questions in the forums and of course buy and sell amazing items from artists, designers and crafters the world over.

The concept that we as artists and consumers are no longer defined by our physical location and now able to reach one another in a whole new way is exciting. This movement that embraces creativity and places a true value and opportunity to earn a living wage is the fundamental idea on which the American Dream was built.

And of of course I would be remiss not to mention that fashionjenn handbags are also available on Etsy!

Poison Apple, NYC

The lovely days of summer are gone and have been replaced with gray skies, damp chilly air and 4:30pm sunsets. I must admit that though I love fall fashion and all it’s glorious layers and accessory options, this time of year tends to make me feel a bit blue. Most of the leaves have now fallen off the trees and all my beautiful summer flowers have past their prime…but I think the thing I miss the most are my Sunday night barbecues with friends. A time to sit back, have a few pitchers of sangria and forget that Monday was less than twelve hours away. Alas, the Chicago winter is fast approaching and no amount of wishful thinking or daydreaming of sunshine can change the course of nature.

So I’m reserved to hibernation, trolling the internet for a heated hot pink snow suit… perhaps with a fur lining that smells like coconut oil and plays cabana music through speakers in the hood. (I’m still not sure if such a beast exhists, but if it does I’m so buying one!)

Though my snow suit search has left me empty handed, I did some gorgeous jewelry by Poison Apple, NYC.

Paula Couture Cuff by Poison Apple, NYC

What I love most about her collection is the way she combines vintage accents with a slightly naughty twist. At first glance they appear Victorian, but then you notice the tiny skulls, fortune cookies, bows and chain. The collection is girly and just a little bit dark, making it very unique.

Beware of Dog Bracelet by Poison Apple, NYC

Love My Soldier Pearl & Bow Locket Necklace by Poison Apple, NYC

Design Thrift

Her blog “Design Thrift” gives you a personal look at her pieces, and her studio, it’s full of innovative DIY projects complete with before and after photos. I found it to be a great read and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

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During one of my many expeditions in search of less mainstream fashion I found myself in Logan Square at the Wolfbait & B-girls Boutique on W. Logan Blvd. http://www.wolfbaitchicago.com I had heard about them while visiting  Fashionninja  in Milwaukee http://www.fashionninja.com and was excited to learn about an thriving “indie” boutique in my home city!

Stepping inside the doors I was met by two friendly faces who offered their assistance from behind a counter where they were manning various sewing machines. The small space was carefully merchandised with handmade treasures ranging from cards, jewelry, handbags and clothing.

I have been in many “indie” boutiques but I would have to say that Shirley Novak and Jenny Stadler the owners have done it right. The place has attitude and panache, and I found myself wanting to stay all day and just hang out.

I loved the wrist cuffs made from recycled bicycle tires by Decycled and the fur handbags, though I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the designer (sorry).

It’s a great place to snag a truly unique for someone really special… or to spoil yourself rotten just for the hell of it!

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