Handbag Design of The Week - A Celebration of Style

The Handbag Dilemma - For a celebration with family, Nicole wanted to accessorize her chic white midi-dress with pieces that were classic and sophisticated yet representative of her elegant style.  A fan of the envelope clutch, the ideal handbag would be spacious enough for just a bit more than the essentials without tipping the scales to "oversized." This would be her go-to clutch for the summer, so versatility was key.  

The Inspiration - Nicole's love and talent for interior design definitely came into play while selecting her silhouette, leathers and hardware. Her home, the perfect balance of modern elegance with clean line furniture and original accents, set the stage for her design appointment with Mel. 

The Sketches - For a sleek, compact day and night piece, the 'Lauren' bag proved to be the perfect fit.  Keeping the look more classic and polished, Nicole opted for a simple front lock closure versus the belted tab design or trendier version with tassels. She wanted the bag to stand out against her all-white dress while keeping in the neutral family, so she selected a matte-gold, Italian leather as the base.  Metallic-honey, croc-embossed accents offered subtle contrast on the belted panel and piping, and a white leather bottom gave it a well-balanced pop of brightness. To finish it off, our fine, gold Italian chain strap offered the versatility needed to either clutch the bag under her arm, or wear it over the shoulder for a hands-free option. 

The Final Product- Nicole's head-to-toe look proved to be flawless. Her custom 'Lauren' clutch was the perfect companion to elegantly carry from ceremony to celebration, and yet we could also see it paired with her weekend t-shirt and jeans. "Thanks so much to Mel Boteri for my gorgeous new bag! Can't wait to use it tomorrow!" Nicole posted on our Facebook wall, and we couldn't agree more!!

Thank you Nicole for sharing this family photo, and for the opportunity to create your one-of-a-kind handbag.  It is a true reflection of your chic and elegant style!!