Giacini Atelier Handbags are based in San Diego and made from fabric for the eco-friendly fashionista. They were even featured in the gift bags at the Grammys and Oscars. Designer Juliana de Freitas-Draper manufactures the bags in the United States and all handmade, ensuring quality in every bag. The handbags are very exclusive, limited edition so try to get yours now! I absolutely love the Sampa DOMO bag, perfect for a day of shopping!
We interviewed Juliana and asked her about her collection.
You have such a wide assortment of bags in your collection. Tell us about what made you decide to build your own handbag business. When and how did Giacini Atelier come to be?
I've always been a bag & shoes kind of a gal... It was only after I had my son that I really started noticing that the handbags in my closet didn't keep me organized or give me various options to carry stuff — both much needed features when you are multi-tasking between being a mother, a professional and an active person! They were stylish but either too small, too heavy or too big. The ones that were more practical lacked glamour and femininity. So Giacini Atelier was born out of the desire to create a stylish line of all fabric handbags for the active and fashionable gal on-the-go. Our bags are meant to be timeless and inspire a sense of chic that's always in style.
Giacini Atelier began in 2007 shortly after my grandmother, Catherine Giacini, passed away. She designed gowns in New York in the 1920's and her impeccable taste was contagious. After hearing many stories at her wake and burial, I was ultimately inspired to launch Giacini Atelier. Many members of my family, including my grandmother, crossed oceans and endured sacrifices so that eventually I could have opportunities for a better life. I then thought, “I owe it to myself, and to my ancestors, to give this a go.” Soon after, I filed for my business license, and Giacini Atelier was established.
My whole life I have been surrounded by fabric. I was either sewing with my grandmother or designing textiles for American and European markets. I have always loved the infinite possibilities for color, texture and pattern combinations. It seemed a natural fit for me to work with fabric. When I looked at the types of fabric bags in the market, I noticed they were either too bohemian in style or always had leather trim. A few of the many things that make us different then other labels are that we manufacture exclusively in the USA and our bags are leather-free and light to carry.
What is the inspiration behind your designs?
I draw inspiration for my designs from several aspects of life including art, music, film, architecture, fashion, textiles, history, travel and nature. I am inspired by anything and everything, but above all, family and every day life.
Growing up in Brazil with an art and design background, my inspiration is not bound strictly to fashion. Ranging from the beautiful Brazilian landscapes such as the Ubatuba and Parati beaches, to musical geniuses including Caetano Veloso, Marisa Monte, New Order, U2 and Everything but the Girl, my influences are truly limitless. I also look to the work of artists like Rothko, Toulouse Lautrec, Edward Hopper, Degas, Mary Cassatt and Morisot, photographer Edward Weston, architect Oscar Niemeyer, and of course, the keen fashion sense of well-known icon, Jackie Onassis.
Where do you design your handbags?
Giacini Atelier designs and manufactures all product lines in San Diego, California. That said, I'm always designing in my head. I observe people on the streets who are carrying something cool and often sketch in odd places... Whenever I get inspired or have an innovative idea, I draw it or make notes on anything available: a napkin, a piece of fabric or even my hand. I use my voice recorder app on my Iphone all the time... I'll be driving along, see something, get inspired and record the thought right then and there.
I love that your bags are sustainable yet still stylish. What did you think was missing in today's handbags?
Oh... so many things are missing from today's handbags! I think the key point is that many bags in the market today don't offer versatility while offering style, quality and sustainability. They are meant to be "consumable" fashion, with little concern for quality and longevity of design, so women buy cheaper goods that only last for a few months either because the bags are so trend oriented they become impossible to carry again or they fall apart after a season. Giacini Atelier takes quality control very seriously and all bags are made by hand, reflecting our focus on excellence, design and detail. They are manufactured with a classic style and are meant to outlast fly-by-night trends. Our handbags are uniquely created to be both chic and versatile; they are a perfect compliment for the gal on the go and have a modish flare while still being environmentally conscious.
How exciting was it to learn that your bags would be featured as gifts at the Grammys and Academy Awards?
We are very honored to have been chosen to work with them! It's the dream of any company to see its products in the hands of top trendsetters and in terms of high profile events, you can't get bigger than the Grammy's and the Oscars! We are always excited to hear from women who become Giacini Atelier fans after purchasing one of our bags, but to get that level of acknowledgment reinforces that our line is unique and exclusive. And for me as a designer, it reminds me that it's worth pursuing what you are passionate about and sticking with your creative vision as opposed to blending into what others think you ought to be doing.
What advice do you have for aspiring handbag designers looking to break into the business?
I'm a hard core believer that function drives design. If it just looks good without a purpose then it's not good enough in my book. Whether I'm designing for Giacini Atelier or developing a line for another company, this rule always applies. Working for yourself is very different than being an employee. To go into business for yourself means a lot of hard work and at times sacrifices. In this industry you really have to know how to balance your business skills with your creative talent. There are a lot of talented designers out there who can't get it together to have a successful business and other who make a mediocre product but run a profitable company.
Is there anything else about yourself or Giacini Atelier that you would like our readers to know?
There are lots of things happening behind the scenes for us. We expanded our studio this fall and will be introducing new products in 2010. Our travel collection, the KRONOS, will hit the market in January and we are already working on adding pieces to this all weather, unisex and of course urban chic line. I like to describe the line as being something you would see a superhero carrying... on and off the job! We are considering doing a special preview of the line in December and making a limited amount of bags available for consumers to purchase... so check Shop.GiaciniAtelier.com often!
Designer, Juliana
