Rocco e Dante LLC

ROCCO E DANTE ONLINE STORE FALL/WINTER BLOW OUT SALE!

2012-02-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

Its Time to move out Fall/Winter Inventory to make way for the new season. All Fall/Winter Italian calf Rocco e Dante bags are now 30% off. Shop online direct with us to take advantage of this amazing sale!

http://roccoedante.com/shop-handbags-online

We ship direct from our Seattle warehouse FedEx ground. If you don't do paypal feel free to email us what you would like to order at roccodante@comcast.net and we will take your order via phone.

Thank you for shopping local small business!

Ciao!

Rocco
www.roccoedante.com

ROCCO E DANTE VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL!!! ATTN: LADIES AND LOVERS

2012-02-03T17:43:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone..RED is my favorite color in the whole wide world. We only made one red bag in the past two years of Rocco e Dante..

Its red italian calfskin..I hope you like it...I just pulled one out to wear myself. (:

For Valentines day, YOU CAN SAVE $200!!! 40% off this gorgeous red Italian leather bag...see photo here. To order go to my website at www.roccoedante.com and click on the online shop.

This is the only place you can get it 40% off anywhere!

Tell your lovers gals! Where to find it at www.roccoedante.com

Happy Shopping and Thank you for SUPPORTING LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS!!!!

PS. I MAY PUT A FEW OF THESE AT SPUN COLLECTIVE..SO IF YOU WANT TO SEE IT IN PERSON GO TO WWW.SPUNCOLLECTIVE.BLOGSPOT.COM for their address on Capitol Hill in Seattle...

Rocco e Dante New Showroom in Los Angeles!!!

2012-01-25T15:24:00.001-08:00

If you own a boutique or store on the West Coast please contact our West Coast showroom. They carry our full collection of Rocco e Dante handbags and small leather goods. They also carry our full line of pet accessories.

Ellie Frank Accessories
910 S. Los Angeles St. #703
Los Angeles, CA 90015

tel: 213-627-2457
fax: 213-627-0791

LOS ANGELES FASHION WEEK..SELECT SHOW.

2012-01-13T12:14:00.000-08:00

Dear Buyers and friends of Rocco e Dante.

We will be at the California Market Center for the Select Trade show held Jan. 16-19th in the main floor ball room of the California Market Center in downtown LA. We are in Booth #109. If you would like to see our latest collections please stop by one of the days.

Thank you!
www.roccoedante.com

Upcycled earrings from junk store!

2011-12-29T20:31:00.000-08:00

I went shopping recently at some vintage store in Seattle, and I was really excited to find something besides old handbags that could be useful I love these old earrings..check it out! Vintage shopping can be fun!

Rocco e Dante "Palermo" cell phone mini bags...New Year Year Sale!

2011-12-27T14:14:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! To celebrate new years we are offering a special on all Palermo cell phone mini bags...for $99.00! Please go online to our shop at www.roccoedante.com to place your order or you can email us direct at roccodante@comcast.net. Available in purple, jeans blue, shark grey or teal Italian cowhide leather...also in purple...(not featured in this blog post.)

This is a great little bag for walking the dog, running errands, or just for when you don't feel like carrying your big handbag and just need something to hold your cell phone and essentials!
Please go to our website to see more details! Happy New Year! xo Rocco

Rocco e Dante, "Dante" collars and leashes - 20% off this week up until Christmas!

2011-12-15T14:31:00.000-08:00

Outfit your pug or small dog in our glam Rocco e Dante collars and leashes. Red or Dark Brown "coffee" colored leather with custom pug face pendent. To order go online to www.roccoedante.com and click on Shopp! Great gift idea for the holidays!

Happy Holidays from Rocco e Dante!

2011-12-13T01:03:00.000-08:00

Wow. 2011. Crazy year for me...time flies..but sometimes that can be a good thing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Rocco e Dante! My goal for the new year is to run away from Toxic People. It took many a few decades to figure that out, but better late than never.

Enjoy the season!

xo Rocco (pug)

ROCCO E DANTE PALERMO CELL PHONE CASE..THIS WEEK SPECIAL 20% OFF!

2011-12-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 5TH, the Palermo cell phone case is now 20% off. Was $128, now $101.00

This is a great bag for the gal on the go that does not want to carry a full size handbag. The Rocco e Dante Palermo cell phone case fits a smart phone, lipstick and your credit cards. It comes with a removable cross body/shoulder strap and a removable wristlet. Perfect for a hands free walk in the park or to run errands.

The case is made out of Italian leather with custom hardware. This piece is durable, functional and will be sure to get many compliments!

To order please go to www.roccoedante.com and click on online store.

Thank you for shopping small business America! xo Rocco

Where to buy Rocco e Dante in Seattle???

2011-12-02T15:21:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

We have our full collection at the Spun Collective in Capitol Hill, not far off of Madison and 14th Ave. Spun Collective features creative designers from all around the Puget Sound. The website is www.spuncollective.blogspot.com - so check them out.

They are open Tues-Sat from about 11am-7pm. The owner Sara - is a fun gal with a great sense of humor. She is an apparel fashion designer with her own line of eco-friendly apparel,- Spun..there is more about it on her blog. Support small local business and shop at Spun Collective! It has a warm and friendly environment and its OK if you bring your dog or kid. (: (which is great because most of us have one or both of those.)

I hope everyone has a great December and holiday season! Thank you for supporting our brand, we love all of our customers!

Cheers,

Rocco e Dante & the fam

Me and Super-Mia

Handbag of the Week! Rocco e Dante "Milano" cross body bag!

2011-11-29T15:48:00.000-08:00

20% off the Milano bag this week only. Available in gorgeous purple metallic Italian calfskin leather with custom hardware and also chocolate brown Italian calfskin leather. The purple comes with silver hardware and the chocolate has gold tone hardware. With the purple "Milano" bag you can choose to have the shoulder strap in all leather or leather/chain., it comes both ways. The original price is $198.00 and now its $158.00, this week only!

To order go to www.roccoedante.com and click on online shop, or you can order my emailing our corporate office at roccodante@comcast.net and we can take your order. We accept visa, m/c and Amex.

Thank you for supporting local small business! We appreciate our customers very much and Happy Holidays!

HANDBAG OF THE WEEK! FIRENZE..TO ORDER GO TO WWW.ROCCOEDANTE.COM OR EMAIL US.

2011-11-20T12:51:00.000-08:00

FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 20-26TH WE ARE HAVING HANDBAG OF THE WEEK. THIS WEEK IT IS THE FIRENZE SATCHEL IN ITALIAN LEATHER. AVAILABLE IN CHOCOLATE, RED OR PURPLE LEATHER.
AMAZING QUALITY AT A SUPERB PRICE!! $488.00 - 20%!!!
Go to www.roccoedante.com to order!

THIS WEEK ONLY!

Rocco e Dante Trunk Show at Spun Collective Nov. 17th.

2011-11-14T10:55:00.000-08:00

Come check out our latest Rocco e Dante Italian leather handbag collection in person at

Spun Collective at 1515 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Nov. 17th from 6-9 pm.

Italian leather handbags & Accessories by Rocco e Dante

Chocolate by Theo

Rocco e Dante October 13th Trunk Show at Clementines in West Seattle!!!

2011-10-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Come join us for a trunk show at Clementines in the West Seattle Junction (the part of town that has been made famous thanks to the Amanda Knox drama) on October 13, 2011. Its a Thursday night from 6-9 pm.

We will be showcasing our Fall/Winter 2011/12 collection of Italian leather handbag and accessories.

Refreshments will be served. I hope you can make it!!!!

Rocco e Dante in D-list September issue

2011-09-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

Check out Rocco e Dante Palermo cell phone case in the latest D-list magazine. September issue.
Our Red Calfskin Palermo cell phone case. Retail: $128.00 F/W collection.

Drive from Seattle to Eastern Washington.

2011-08-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

The scenery really changes when you drive from Seattle to Spokane via I-90. I stopped at Rye Grass to get this candid shot, right outside of Vantage. This would be a great photo op location for a FallWinter look book. Photo taken with my iphone. I love the power wind machines in the background, its very desolate and real.

Sat. Aug. 27th Rocco e Dante sample sale with SPUN collective in Seattle..great deals!!!.

2011-08-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

Add caption

Rocco e Dante retains Aline Media for Public Relations.

2011-07-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kara Sevilla, aLine media

kara@alinemedia.com 213.624.0204

Rocco e Dante retains aLine media for public relations

Luxury Italian leather handbag & accessory line, Rocco e Dante, announces launch of public relations campaign with aLine media.

(Los Angeles, CA ~ July 20, 2011) – aLine media public relations announced today it has been retained by Rocco e Dante, a luxury Italian leather handbag & accessory line. aLine media will provide publicity, celebrity outreach, and promotional services for Rocco e Dante.

“We could not be more pleased to announce the partnership between aLine media and Rocco e Dante,” said owner and designer, Tara Sauvage. “aLine’s respect and influence in the industry will provide Rocco e Dante with the opportunity to take the brand to the next level as we continue to design unique and fashion-forward accessories. The partnership will also support our effort to create a strong marketing and brand awareness campaign to expand our customer base substantially. Our collaboration with aLine will assist in positioning Rocco e Dante in the forefront of customer’s minds as a luxury accessory collection.”

About Rocco e Dante

After a decade of designing handbags, belts and fashion accessories for companies in Los Angeles and Seattle, Tara Sauvage decided to launch her own collection - named after her two adorable pugs Rocco and Dante.

In 2007, Tara went to Milan, Italy and took an intensive Italian handbag design course at the internationally known ARS Arpel Sutoria School to sharpen her technical skills in luxury goods. Each bag prototype of the Rocco e Dante collection is road tested by the designer herself to make sure that the function of the bag works for the busy urban girl and changes are made to each style to make it as user friendly as possible without compromising the beauty of the design. Tara also designs handbags and fashion accessories for corporate clients as a freelance consultant.

Inspired by her love of design, luxury and global travel, the collection features modern and vintage inspired silhouettes in Italian finished leathers in bold hues and rich textures.

The collection was designed for the modern urban fashionista who enjoys shopping and traveling with style who does not tend to wear the same mass produced handbag as everyone else that shops at the local mall. The Rocco e Dante girl enjoys shopping at unique high-end boutiques and better department stores. She is looking for that one fabulous handbag each season to complete her look or one must-have accessory that will last her the whole year and into the next. See the collection at www.roccoedante.com

About aLine media

aLine media is a full service public relations firm with expertise in the development and execution of media coverage, event planning, artist representation and brand marketing.

aLine media has been selected in marketing and brand expert Sportswear International’s “Who’s Who 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010” as a leading public relations company. More information available at www.alinemedia.com

Capitol Hill Seattle-Spun Collective.

2011-07-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

Please check out our latest collection at Spun Collective on Capitol Hill.
The boutique features a great group of eco-friendly fashion lines!

Showroom/Designer Collective in Seattle.

2011-07-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

You can now find our collection at the SPUN showroom/designer collective in Capitol Hill, Seattle. Great platform for indie and up & coming designers. We are also taking wholesale appointments at this location.

More details coming soon....

The Messina: The most AMAZING messenger bag you will ever own! by Rocco e Dante

2011-06-30T20:18:00.000-07:00

In the past I was never a fan of messenger bags. I thought they looked too masculine or too much like a frat boy bag. It was never a look for me. Recently I decided to design a really amazing messenger bag that was both feminine and functional. The leather had to be the best and interesting. I added just enough studs to make it have a little pizzaz but not too overdone. I am not really a bling bling type of designer and I rarely design with rhinestones or glam. This bag is perfection to me, it has just the perfect combination of form and function. I love the detailing and custom funky hardware. The Messina bag

is not too huge, but spacious enough for everyday and big enough to hold a file folder/small laptop. The retail will be somewhere between $700-$850 depending on the leather...I think its one of my best designs ever. I love it and hope you do, too. xox Tara (designer behind Rocco e Dante)

Housekeeping.

2011-06-29T18:45:00.000-07:00

This week I was criticized for my housekeeping skills. It was from a close family member that I really appreciate their opinions in the past. As a busy designer and working mother with a start up company I work from 10-4 pm, pick up kid, then work from 4pm - midnight answering emails from overseas. Its a very hectic pace, and when i am not in the office I am usually at a trade show or at a sales meeting, etc. I find it very difficult to be a full time housekeeper /maid when I spend up to two weeks per month out of town on business. Most men that work full time do not get criticized for their often messy house. Men don't get criticized because they cannot bake pies on the weekday or fresh cookies for the PTA.

I am busy trying to grow my company into a million plus dollar operation. I don't do the PTA, I don't do moms groups and I don't bake. (kudos to those who do!) I am often in airports and the dog walker is my BFF. I have a housecleaner that comes once a month to deep clean the house. In the meantime the tubs get grimy, but on the rare Saturday that I have off, I don't spend 2 hours cleaning the bathtubs, I go take the pugs down for a walk by the beach or go to a lunch on the beach. For those of you who continue to think that women should have the same standards of a 1950's housewife, think again. I don't make money when I mop my floor or dust the living room. I only make money when I design or sell handbags. So before you criticize my housekeeping, think about it...all of my generation of women is doing the best we can to make money and raise our families. We are not 1950's housewives and most of us are not married to rich men (so we can't afford live in maids). We are not following in our mothers footsteps, so our homes may not be as clean as our mothers. We should be appreciated for what we can do and not if you can't eat off of our kitchen floor. Thank you and cheers to all the working women and mothers of my generation!

Rocco e Dante ARM CANDY 50% OFF.

2011-06-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

All Rocco e Dante arm candy is 50% off. All styles are 50% off the original prices. We are almost out of the black "Jack" cuff, but there is a few more left. Click on photo image below to enlarge and see details or you can see the original photos on our website at www.roccoedante.com click on "online store" to see the images and descriptions. To order email us here! xox Rocco

Sleep

2011-06-22T16:55:00.001-07:00

Sleep eludes me. Must be that running your own show and sleep do not go together.

Peeing on sock in woods at 4 am.

2011-06-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

I may have grew up on a farm but I am not a good camper. I spent two nights in a Washington State Park. I slept in a sleeping bag in a tent. Nothing fancy. No RV or showers. When I got up to go to the bathroom at 4 am I did not want to walk to the restrooms which were several yards away down a dirt trail in the dark. No thanks. Instead I peed on my sock when I tried to go right in the bushes outside the tent. Hmmmmm. There is a big difference between a 5 star hotel and a tent. I don't mind getting away by camping, I could feel the stress slipping away as we settled into our camping spot down by the river. However, I prefer to sleep in a bed with a real bathroom, then, I don't have to sleep with a pug in a tent and pee on my socks. Its just one of those things.

Taking a break.

2011-06-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

Today I went to look at commercial real estate spaces for an office for Rocco e Dante. I have to say its very stressful to look at real estate. You have to sign a long term lease, its expensive and you never know as small business owner what the future holds. In this economy in the fashion industry its rather fickle. The good thing is that I also do freelance on the side so it helps to keep the $$ coming in if sales are slow. I found this incredible loft, but I am still waiting to hear if we are in or as they say on that reality fashion show, "OUT"

So this weekend I decided to take a break and go camping with my parents, family and my adorable loyal pug Rocco. I have to say its a well needed break. I can only look at handbags and tradeshows for so long before I start to feel insane. I mean I feel like I eat handbags, its that bad. I have handbags in every room of my house (even the pantry has been converted to a sample room.) and even in my office they are everywhere. I have leather and hardware swatches coming out of my ears literally. Its too much. I have expanded to the point where I have no choice but to take it to the next level and open a proper showroom, its just trying to find the right space.

I need a break..so I am going to try to sleep in a tent. My dad said I could sleep in the RV with him and Mom but he snores to high heaven so that is not going to happen. Its time to tune out for a change. But I did hear that cell phones work in the campground. Should I leave my iphone at home? I can answer emails to China and Italy from my iphone from the tent. Ha ha. Really its time to tune out. Time to stop the madness. I answer emails from factories in the middle of the night while i am in bed. Stop the madness. Should I move to this cabin???

Dante dog collars and leash by Rocco e Dante..so adorable!!!

2011-06-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

We have some really amazing Dante collars inspired by our very own fawn pug "Dante" - the custom logo pendant was designed after a photo of Dante that I just loved. Engraved on the back of each charm is the words "R & D" for Rocco e Dante. All collars come with the custom pug pendant. Italian leather and studs. The collars come in plain leather with pendant and the studded version for the more flashy pet or owner (:. Each leash is reinforced to last many happy walks together. Available in RED, Tan, & Purple leather. Pre-order for Fall delivery now! xox Rocco

The only cell phone case you will ever love by Rocco e Dante

2011-06-02T23:31:00.000-07:00

Check out the only cell phone case you will ever need by Rocco e Dante! This stunning Italian leather bag comes with a long cross body strap and a removable wristlet. You can carry it by the wrist strap or across your shoulder like a handbag, great for shopping, walking the dog, or kids. (: Front pocket is secure with the custom turn lock hardware, inside features two credit card pockets and back panel pocket has a hidden magnetic snap to keep all your items secure....chunky zipper hardware closes the body of the bag to keep everything in its place! One size fits all cell phones on the market! Love this by Rocco e Dante! MRSP: $128.00
CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO SEE THE DETAILS!

Firenze bag in "Rocco red" - Love this!

2011-05-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek of our Firenze Rocco Red bag. Its just amazing..This is our best seller so far for the Fall 2011 collection.

Rocco e Dante Sneak peek Fall 2011 Milano collection.

2011-05-13T15:33:00.000-07:00

Such a beautiful day in Seattle to grab some quick shots of our Fall 2011 collection

ENK NYC Booth 2861

2011-04-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

WE will be showing our Fall 2011 line at Accessorie Circuit Booth 2861 at Pier 94 in NYC from May 2-4th.

New leather swatches in!

2011-04-13T17:54:00.001-07:00

So to all my freelance buddies, I just got back from Italy and have new leather swatches, so if you want help with your handbag or leather goods line for 2012 please feel free to contact us to help you with design. We have some amazing leather.

Thanks!

Sauvage Design Lounge
www.tarasauvage.com

Bologna

2011-04-11T21:18:00.000-07:00

Bologna Rocks.

2011-04-07T15:28:00.001-07:00

I just had dinner in Bologna near Plazzao Maggiore with four amazing women from the handbag industry. One works for Ellie Tahari in NYC, the other is a shoe designer from Firenze and the other is a handbag and accessories designer from Bel Air, California. How fun! Nothing better than meeting amazing women from around the globe that love fashion! We had a great dinner...Oh and to the haters out there, one of the women I met with for dinner who has her own brand is a mother to three children, small children in fact, so to all the haters that trash amazing women...enjoy, they rock! What can I say!

Leathers.

2011-04-04T20:12:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow going to look at the leather in Italy at the Linea Pelle show. It will be interesting to see what the new colors are. I need to restock my swatches, it has been 18 months and all my swatches are old. I hope its a nice trip.

Trade shows and blind faith.

2011-04-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

In the fashion industry on the side of the fence I am on, trade shows are a typical traditional part of the business. We have blind faith as we pay the large fees to set up our little 10 x 10 booth and our sales samples and then we hope that the buyers will show up. Sometimes we can send out postcards or flyers about the trade show, but mostly you just hope the right buyers are at the show and stop by your booth. Its really like a game of rolling the dice for a young brand. Sometimes you are lucky if you break even, its partly because as a new brand, buyers are not familiar with your brand, they have to see you a few times to try you out, or place a small order and see how it does for their shop and then come back later and place a larger order. Its a game of dice. You don't always break even at a trade show, but you just have to have blind faith as you show up for another one. There are other ways to reach customers, you can cold call buyers and try to make appointments or you can get up at 4am and go to Henri Bendels open call that they have a few time per year....there are a lot of different ways these days to get sales, you can have an online store or place your own goods in other online stores. None of these guarantee success. Its much more difficult that it was even ten years ago, when the path to sales was very traditional. For me its a bit of blind faith for each trade show I go to. I just hope if I build it well, they will come. Isn't that how the saying goes? If you make it - they will come? Hmmmm. we will see.

Pacific Northwest Trend show.

2011-03-30T15:48:00.000-07:00

Rocco e Dante will be showing at the Pacific Northwest Trend show at the Bellevue Hilton from April 3-5th. Our sister company Chelsey Henry will be having their new launch at the same show. Stop by to see the new travel collection! See you there, then I am off to the Linea Pelle show to check out the latest leathers for 2012. Wow, time flies.

Select Show.

2011-03-08T15:05:00.001-08:00

We are excited for the Select show which will be held March 14-16th, at the Cal Mart in LA.

Rocco e Dante at Select Trade show at the California Mart! March 14-16th

2011-02-15T17:13:00.000-08:00

Come see us at the Cal Mart. March 14-16, 2011. We will be exhibiting our Fall 2011 line. For more info on the show and fashion week go to
www.californiamarketcenter.com

Our very own online Rocco e Dante store!

2011-02-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

After many months we finally got our online store up and running, check it out on our website at www.roccoedante.com

Here you can buy are latest styles directly from our corporate office. Thanks for stopping by and happy shopping!

Ciao! Rocco

Happy New Year! Can you believe it?

2011-01-01T13:31:00.001-08:00

Happy New year to everyone! Health and wealth!

NEW black Italian leather Hancock bag - sans studs. Made in USA!

2010-12-31T11:42:00.000-08:00

New black leather Hancock bag, made in USA of Italian leather.
$495.00
Comes with detachable leather shoulder strap so bag can be worn cross body.
Chain handle available for purchase.

Dress it up or down with the removable chain handle. Can also be worn as a clutch. Just take of the strap and there you go. The inside features two compartments, a inside back zippered pocket for your valuables and a cell phone pocket on the front inside panel. The outside back zippered pocket can fit a cell phone or your spare change. Email us to order at roccodante@comcast.net

Shopping | Save on everything Santa forgot at post-Christmas sales all over town | NWsource

2010-12-26T15:30:00.000-08:00

Shopping | Save on everything Santa forgot at post-Christmas sales all over town | NWsource

Our after Christmas sale is listed on NW Source! Check it out! 40% off.

Merry Christmas!!!!

2010-12-15T21:29:00.000-08:00

Dante and Rocco on Santa's lap to support Seattle Pug Rescue!

Merry Christmas from Rocco and Dante! We hope you have a great holiday with your family and friends and a wonderful and healthy new year!

xoxo
Rocco e Dante

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-04T11:03:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone an amazing Christmas!

Buy one Rocco e Dante leather cuff and get the other 50% off.

2010-11-29T20:28:00.000-08:00

Dear BFF's,

We are running a holiday special between now and the end of 2010! Can you even believe its almost the end of 2010? Boy the time does fly faster-the older I get! So any leather Rocco e Dante cuff at regular price gets you the second one at half off! Great deal. Email us at roccodante@gmail.com if you want to place an order. We accept paypal and all major credit cards. The leather arm candy makes great stocking stuffers for your mom, your BFF, your girlfriend or just about any woman between 20-60 that likes to rock the latest trends in a classy way! Happy Holidays!

Love, Rocco, Dante and Tara

Happy Shopping!

Almost the end of a year.

2010-11-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

Just wrapped up two days at a pop up shop. What people are shopping for is small gifts for their friends, moms, sisters, items under $75.00 or so. Our Carlo coin purse and leather Rocco e Dante cuffs came in handy and we sold a lot of them. I am finally starting to clean out my 2010 inventory. One of the great lessons learned from doing some retail selling myself is that I learn more about my customers and my potential customers. My customer knows a good quality handbag and they also like a bargain. I also learned that I need to offer a wider selection of price points. Not everyone needs another $600 handbag, but everyone can always find an excuse to treat themselves to a small leather goodie like a "Joe" leather cuff for under $100.00! Their Sugar Daddy doesn't bat an eye and they don't need to hide any shopping bags from their husbands. ha ha. (not that I have ever hidden a shopping bag from my husband, he does not even notice when I wear a new outfit, until like the 5th time I have worn it - then he is like, oh is that a new shirt?) So anyway, for my my next collection I am planning to offer several fashion accessories that are under $100 retail. I think I can reach a wider customer base and make some more Rocco e Dante fans.

I am looking forward to a new year because I have lots of new plans on the horizon that I feel are great ventures. I also have the same old new years resolution to lose ten lbs. I have had that since I moved to Seattle in 2006, for some reason California women stay slim and Seattle women get fatter. I can say that because I was a California girl for about a decade and then I moved to Seattle and gained ten pounds and I have not lost any of them. Must be something with the rainy evenings in. We used to go for a walk on the Strand in Manhattan Beach every single night. Now I am lucky if I can get Rocco to walk one block in the rain. Weather does make a difference! But I don't miss the traffic in Los Angeles, that is for sure!

The new year should bring more opportunities for me to expand my business so that is great. I am really ready for that. I have been keeping the business alive...barely so I can some day go big or go home. ha ha. We will see.

I am also working hard as the Creative Director as the designer behind a few other brands. Its really hard to find time to work on Rocco e Dante when all my days are wrapped up designing for other brands, but its been great to expand my horizons and use my creative skills for other brands. Its always good to stretch yourself professionally. I really hope they do well, I have designed some great stuff in the past few months. I don't blog about my clients, but once they take off, maybe I can name drop. Its all on the down low for now!.

Gotta run, Dante is licking the floor, I hate that sound, so gross, but it means he was in the garbage and now has it all over the place...fun for me to clean up. I love my pugs but they are super messy.

Rocco e Dante in Palo Alto!

2010-10-29T20:28:00.000-07:00

You can now find our leather goodies at the boutique, "Prestige" in Palo Alto, CA. Located in the Town & Country Shopping Centre. Happy Shopping all you high techies. Ciao! Rocco

OCTOBER SPECIAL ON JACK CUFF! $50.00! (was $68.00)

2010-10-12T21:51:00.000-07:00

FOR MONTH OF OCTOBER! All JACK italian leather studded cuffs are $50.00! Regular price is $68.00! We take paypal or any type of credit card. To contact us please email roccodante@comcast.net to place your order. Shipping is only $5.00 even if you order multiple units.

Add some glam to your wardrobe with our Rocco e Dante "arm candy" - the Jack cuff is our best seller and comes in dark purple, black or green Italian leather with gold tone Italian hardware! Each piece has three holes so its adjustable for XS, Small, and Medium. (email me for larger sizes.)

Are these to die for or what? Purple Hancock Italian leather bag!

2010-09-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Two compartments for all your essentials. Divine!

Front view - use a clutch!

Wear this compact bag cross body, or over the shoulder -detachable strap.

New in stock. Rocco e Dante Italian leather "Hancock" bag in dark purple leather with gold tone hardware. The photos speak for themselves! Made in USA

New Hancock bag in purple Italian leather with new studs!

2010-08-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

Our NYC factory just shipped us our new production, a purple Italian leather handbag with gold hexagon studs! Totally awesome. Our photographer is working on the photos now in San Francisco and I can't wait to post them. This bag will retail for $625.00! Great deal for Italian leather/hardware made in USA!!! Stay tuned!

Audreyshops.com

2010-08-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to be featured on Audreyshops.com a website/magazine/blog dedicated to beautiful Asian women everywhere. Check out the fashion deals on Audreyshops.com

Rocco e Dante in Seattle Magazine!

2010-08-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

The September Fashion issue of Seattle Magazine features the Rocco e Dante "Tara" zipper bracelet in black Italian leather. check it out here!

http://www.seattlemag.com

The "Tara" bracelet is available online at www.couturecandy.com or at Clutch in downtown Seattle at the Fairmont hotel.

New Rocco e Dante Italian leather bags at Clutch in Seattle!

2010-08-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

We just delivered last week an amazing order of Italian leather handbags to Clutch in downtown Seattle at the Fairmont Hotel. All the bags were handmade from Italian leather in New York City. Please get down to Clutch to get yours today, all the bags are limited edition, I only had a few made! Prices are $595.00 on up.

Clutch Seatte-a handbag boutique
1212 4th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101

www.clutchseattle.com

Rocco e Dante & Clutch Seattle Anniversary Party! August 12, 2010

2010-07-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

You are invited to join us for Clutch Seattle and Rocco e Dante FALL 2010 Launch Party! CHECK OUT THE DETAILS HERE!

Rocco e Dante return policy!

2010-07-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

Rocco e Dante LLC RETURN POLICY

All items must be returned to the original point of purchase, in their original condition. The below return policy applies to all orders placed through www.roccoedante.com. If an item was purchased outside of the Rocco e Dante facebook online, it must be returned to the original point of purchase with a proof of purchase or receipt. ALL SALE MERCHANDISE IS FINAL, NO EXCHANGES OR RETURNS.

Are your designs on celebrities?

2010-06-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

Many times I have been asked by various online stores or PR people if I can provide them with photos of my designs on celebrities! I also get invited to celebrity lounge give-a-ways in the Los Angeles area. These events are held in and around Hollywood and you have to pay thousands of dollars to give away your bags and fashion goodies to B list celebs at best-all for free-of course!.

Of course I would be honored if a celebrity wanted to purchase and carry one of my fashion items. That would be great. However, I do not gift celebrities as a general rule. 4 out of 5 bags that I give away are for charity events. 1 out of 4 items I give away are for local press or events of friends that I like to support.

I am flattered if a celebrity wants to wear my bags, but frankly I don't have the time to look up celebrities PR people to send them free goodies. I am a a self funded collection 100%. Which means each and every bag I produce is made because I worked as a freelance handbag designer for another brand, and I got paid and put the money into my own collection. Doing business this way is very grass roots, very crazy, and its a brand that is alive because of my passion for fashion.

Maybe in a few years I will have the budget to hire a PR firm, but for now I am the PR firm and the charity for the day is Seattle Pug Rescue. 15% of all sales of my leather cuffs go to Seattle Pug Rescue, a non-profit that I believe in. When you are from a small farm town in Washington, its all about giving back, not chasing the celebrity train wrecks on US Weekly! Kudos to the brands that can afford to do it, but its not for us at the moment. If a celeb wants to buy one of our bags, please check them out at www.couturecandy.com

Seattle Pug Rescue & Rocco e Dante

2010-06-22T20:21:00.001-07:00

Rocco e Dante has teamed up with Seattle Pug Rescue to donate 15% of all leather cuff sales between now and July 4th to go towards Seattle Pug Rescue. This great organizations saves pugs from around the state and other states from bad situations. The pugs get great medical care and are adopted out to wonderful new homes. It is a wonderful organization and the vets that donate their time and expertise to the Seattle Pug Rescue are also our vets for our pugs, Rocco and Dante. Please feel free to pass on this information. 15% of all sales will go to support this great group of pugs. Be fashionable - save a pug!

To view our leather cuff designs go to www.roccoedante.com or find them on this blog. To order email us at roccodante@comast.net.

Do Dogs Go to Heaven?| Mom Sense

2010-06-19T23:30:00.000-07:00

Do Dogs Go to Heaven?| Mom Sense

First Rocco e Dante interview for European market!

2010-06-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

We have sold our bags in China, we have sold our bags all over the USA and parts of Canada...but have not yet spread our wings to the other side of the pond. Today a short interview on Rocco e Dante handbags and accessories came out on a www.bagstage.info a handbag and accessories fashion blog based out of Cologne, Germany.
Although we do not yet have distribution in Germany, we are thrilled that fashion press from Germany is covering our brand. That is really great.

Direct link to the article click here!

Love Fashion Bloggers that support our brand!!!

2010-06-10T20:51:00.001-07:00

Sydney Loves Fashion: Rocco e Dante Launches Arm Candy

Thanks to all the great fashion bloggers out there that support our brand!

xoxox

Sydney Loves Fashion: Rocco e Dante Launches Arm Candy

2010-06-10T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sydney Loves Fashion: Rocco e Dante Launches Arm Candy

Thanks to all the great fashion bloggers out there that support our brand!

xoxox

humor

2010-06-10T16:23:00.000-07:00

One of my clients looked at my online Rocco e Dante blog. She said she was shocked by the blog main photo. (The photo is of a famous statue in Florence with tourists in the background and I cropped the photo to focus on his below the belt region). She said she was so shocked that she had to close the window because it was open on her work computer. I hardly think a photo of a public famous statue in Italy is R-rated, but that is not the point. The point is that I have a sense of humor and I like to use humor. Working in the fashion industry can be tedious, frusterating and lonely. I think having a little fun at work makes life easier. I am sorry if I offend anyone with my dry wit, but like I told my client, that is just me. I said you know I don't have to worry about a boss. No one is looking over my shoulder day in and day out. Everything I do comes from some creative place, whether it is something I write a on blog, spray painting a wall in my house or how I draw a bag, - its all about being creative and living that lifestyle. In the fashion industry its all about having a little fun. I am not a lawyer, I am not a court reporter. Its OK if I am a little out there or even wacky, its part of being in this industry. You have to really have a passion to survive in fashion. Its not for everyone! But I like it and its what I have been doing for almost 15 years, so sorry if I offend anyone, I think my sense of humor is generally G-rated, its not for everyone, but it works for me.

Sydney Loves Fashion: Rocco e Dante Launches Arm Candy

2010-06-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

Sydney Loves Fashion: Rocco e Dante Launches Arm Candy

Lady Gaga + Spiked Hermes Birkin

2010-06-05T22:11:00.000-07:00

Lady Gaga + Spiked Hermes Birkin

O.M.Gosh! Spikes! Looks funky but I would be afraid to stab myself! I am not into fashion if it can be painful or hazardous to your health! I would stab my pugs or kid in the eye with this studded crazy bag. But whatever bakes your chicken.....

Alexander Wang Jena Clutch in Cut Velvet Leather

2010-06-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

Alexander Wang Jena Clutch in Cut Velvet Leather

I really like the zipper details. I am a fan of leather, although this material works pretty good. I love love love chunky zippers. They are all over my new bags coming out this fall! Cool!

Louis Vuitton iPad Case

2010-06-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

Louis Vuitton iPad Case
Everyone is jumping on the ipad case !

We love ustrendi.com! Support indie designers!

2010-06-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

As an independent fashion designer, I know how hard it is to get funding to produce a full collection, especially when you are working with high end leather and hardware from Italy. Just to get a pattern made is easy $1,500.00, and that is for one bag design! So I was thrilled to the bone when I found a new site that is dedicated to indie designers like myself. They allow you to create an online store to sell your goods. There is other websites like etsy.com that are dedicated to indie designers but the rule of thumb on their website is that your stuff has to be made by hand. I don't sew my leather handbags and accessories with my own two hands, they are made by leather technicians in a factory setting with all the leather equipment, so etsy is awesome but not a good fit for my brand.

I am so grateful for website like ustrendi.com who are dedicated to the craft and helping indie fashion designers like myself. If you have a chance please check it out at www.ustrendi.com and help support indie designers!

Support indie designers! Thank you so much!

xoxox
Pookies!

UsTrendi.com

2010-06-01T22:22:00.000-07:00

As an independent fashion designer, I know how hard it is to get funding to produce a full collection, especially when you are working with high end leather and hardware from Italy. Just to get a pattern made is easy $1,500.00, and that is for one bag design! So I was thrilled to the bone when I found a new site that is dedicated to indie designers like myself. They allow you to create an online store to sell your goods. There is other websites like etsy.com that are dedicated to indie designers but the rule of thumb on their website is that your stuff has to be made by hand. I don't sew my leather handbags and accessories with my own two hands, they are made by leather technicians in a factory setting with all the leather equipment, so etsy is awesome but not a good fit for my brand.

I am so grateful for website like mytrendi.com who are dedicated to the craft and helping indie fashion designers like myself. Please check out www.ustrendi.com

Support indie designers!

xox
Rocco

hello fashion world.

2010-05-28T23:24:00.000-07:00

hello fashion world.

New bags coming soon.

2010-05-26T23:32:00.000-07:00

I just put into production some new handbags. I am excited to launch these in a few weeks.

New handbags update.

2010-04-30T18:49:00.000-07:00

I have had a lot of emails lately over where is my new handbags? I just wanted to let everyone know that my handbag and accessories line is self funded. Which means by day I do freelance design gigs for other companies in the fashion industry. With that income I put it back into my own collection. As a freelance designer, the gigs come and go as they may, and some are far and few between, so I am able to run production based on how much work I can bring in as a freelance designer. Therefore a this stage, my collection is still very small and grass roots. It has developed organically over the past two years. I run the company from A to Z. I don't have any employees, its just me, myself and I. I am very thankful to all my fans and to the customers who purchase our products. Everything I earn goes back into the business to keep it going. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE what I do for a living and I know I have the talent. My ultimate dream right now would be to get an Angel investor to invest in my company so I could hire an assistant and get a showroom in NYC and LA. I am exploring the possibilities now. With that said we have some new handbags coming out in June 2010. Stay tuned! In the meantime I really really appreciate all the people who purchase our amazing Italian leather accessories and your support. xoxoxo

www.handbags-luggage.com

2010-04-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

Our handbags and fashion accessories can now be found at handbags-luggage.com, which features designer handbags and luggage at amazing prices! Click link below to go to their site! Check it out!

handbags-luggage.com

Rocco e Dante at www.couturecandy.com

2010-04-17T13:20:00.001-07:00

Couturecandy.com is an great site for shopping the hottest brands in jeans, tops, handbags and accessories. They carry our new line of leather "Arm Candy" cuffs and bracelets.

Check it out and happy shopping!!!

Click here to go to Couturecandy.com

My favorite fashion blog ever!

2010-04-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

I love to read the Sartorialist! He is a former fashion NYC guy who now goes form city to city taking photographs of random and known people on the street during their daily lives. I check out his blog on an almost daily basis. In our car culture of Seattle, I don't see much fashion on the streets, unless you stand in downtown Seattle in the rain, but then again everyone is wearing umbrella's and coats, its just not the fashion capital, ok? Sorry. So I check out this guys photos and they are amazing. He captures the romance of the day, something the ordinary person misses if you are just passing by on the street. That is why photography is so amazing, it captures something that a movie or a glance cannot.

www.thesatorialist.blogspot.com

INSTANT MOOD LIFTER!!!

2010-04-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

I have not spent a dime on my house since my husband got laid off for 8 months in 2009. (OK, I have bought a pair of shoes, but nothing for the house, some serious cutbacks.) I have just noticed recently how drab and crappy all of our towels and furniture looks. The master bathroom clear PVC shower curtain had so much mold on it - it was starting to look pink. Super disgusting! So I was like I can't deal with this anymore. I went to Target and I found this super bright and cool looking red, orange and fuschia PEVA shower curtain for $9.99! I also bought a bright orange bath mat to go with it. My husband actually noticed it (usually when I buy anything he won't notice it for like about a month, then he is like, oh are those new shoes?).

He said, "I feel like I am in an Austin Powers movie when I am in the bathroom."

OK..but I did notice that it brightened my mood. Weird how a pop of color can do that. I found a similar cool shower curtain online to post here, but for $9.99 you can make your house look better and feel fresh and new. Not too bad-next on my list new towels!!!.

My favorite arm candy!

2010-04-12T10:04:00.001-07:00

This is my favorite Italian leather bracelet from our new Rocco e Dante leather cuff collection. The leather is amazing! Divine.

Rocco e Dante ARM CANDY! Leather cuffs and bracelets!

2010-04-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

We have these amazing new colors in stock in our "rocker chic" leather cuffs with gold hardware. Black, dark green and Purple. $58.00 on up! You can find these at Clementines and Clutch in Seattle or contact us directly at roccodante@gmail.com!

The most awesome band based out of Bangkok.

2010-03-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my best friends bands based out of Bangkok, Thailand.. The Tonic Rays.

New leather bracelets/cuffs at Clementines in West Seattle!

2010-03-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

Today we delivered our latest collection of leather arm candy to the adorable Clementines boutique in the Junction of West Seattle, WA. Click here to check out their amazing collection of unique footwear & accessories from around the globe. www.clementines.com

I love cats and Miu Miu!

2010-03-02T17:54:00.000-08:00

I have been a huge fan of Miu Miu since about 1999. I used to love to go their now closed down store in West Hollywood! I could spend hours just shopping and I had a vast Miu Miu shoe collection. For my birthday between 1999-2006 I got a pair of Miu Miu shoes. The last time I was in a Miu Miu store was in Milan, and that was in 2007 when I lived there for six weeks taking a handbag class. Wow, fun times, don't even get me started!!!

I just found these adorable cat print satin Mary Janes by Miu Miu, and they are so fun. I love Miu Miu designs because they are so clever and just have enough of a fun whimsical twist that make them stand out, but not be too over the top or too cheesy.

The price on these is about $500 - not bad for made in Italy designer shoes. All the Miu Miu shoes I have owned have been incredibly comfortable, classy and great quality.

Angelhandbags.com is amazing..

2010-03-01T23:43:00.000-08:00

Check out my own personal designs at Angelhandbags.com. They carry my designs as well as many other great emerging designers! They are a great platform for new designers.

Angel handbags blog..

2010-03-01T23:26:00.000-08:00

Check out their blog on our great lining inside our handbags!

I love it when the online stores that carry our line, blog great things about our Rocco e Dante handbags! Love it!

By the way, please buy our handbags and accessories from www.angelhandbags.com

Awesome handbag website

2010-02-28T15:09:00.000-08:00

My friend John just launched this great site that is devoted entirely to handbags. Its fun to browse and just check out and get great deals on designer bags. Check it out at: www.Thehandbagstudio.com

I love plaid!

2010-02-26T17:22:00.000-08:00

My BFF from high school just updated her profile photo on fb. I must admit she looks adorable in plaid. I am sad it ever went out of style. I grew up in the 80's and 90's when plaid and Kurt Cobain was the in thing, and the whole grunge Seattle thing was totally in. I never got into the grunge look because I was more into the preppy look, remember white tennis shoes with white socks? That was totally me. Now that plaid is starting to come back, I just think its great. Check out my friend Andrea rocking a really cute plaid top - looks great the second time around. You go girl.

My best store lately for great fit and deals.

2010-02-26T16:59:00.000-08:00

I don't read much about Club Monaco, but I have found it to be a really great store for me. The price is reasonable (most of the clothes are made in China), but the fit and the quality is pretty decent. It works for me. I have champagne taste but like a beer budget, so I do not shop at H&M, their clothes quality sucks, the threads fall off right away, but I can work with Club Monaco. The clothes are on trend but not over the top, the price is reasonable, you can buy a nice top for $50 or so, and the quality lasts me for a few years or more. The clothes are not tooo Junior. I am not a junior, but I like to be in style..I don't need hoochy mama clothes or "club wear" like Bebe, so this is great. Club Monaco has clothes for going out for girls night out as well as business attire. Totally thumbs up!

Follow us on Twitter!!!

2010-02-25T19:23:00.000-08:00

Better late than never. Follow us on twitter! Our name is: Roccodante (no spaces, all one word)

We update daily, weekly or whenever the mood strikes.

ETSY

2010-02-15T21:51:00.000-08:00

I think ETSY is great for people who just make a few items by hand on the side or for a hobby. However for handbag and accessories designers like myself, its impossible to sell on ETSY because frankly I don't hand make 500 handbags per year or whatever it is that I produce. For me, my goal is to make enough bags to actually make a living and a profit, so hand making is not possible. I think hand made things are amazing and there is a market for them, but does it make me less of a designer because I don't hand stitch each piece on my own kitchen table? I am not sure. I can tell you that I design over 100 bags per year and over 12 collections per year in my design studio and on my kitchen table AND I get paid to do it, so that is good. I am afraid of knives and cutting instruments. Really. When I took a pattern making class two years ago in Milan, Italy, the teacher (Signore) was eternally frustrated with me because I did not use the blades to cut the patterns, instead I insisted on using scissors. Why? I was afraid I was going to cut myself with the raw blade. Seriously...I am deathly afraid of box cutters and blades...not for me. So I learned how to cut patterns using scissors and the instructor hated me, but oh well. I was paying him a few thousand a week to learn how to cut cardboard by hand, so I felt that I could choose the cutting method that worked for me. With that said, I am not sure when I will get around to cutting leather by hand...maybe not this year. I prefer to draw with pencil and paper and leave the blades to the masters - at least for now...so I won't be on ETSY. For now.

Finally got some orders from almost 5 or 6 months ago.

2010-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:00

This past few days I have finally received some orders from Linea Pelle show that I placed ages ago. So now I have 75 lbs or purple and green Italian leather that inspired me for some bags, that alas I long forgot about - and the hardware that came in also that was ordered at the Linea Pelle show is like so five months ago. It takes them that long to get it to me, that by the time they do send it, I have forgotten, um..what I was inspired to make with the items...That is my biggest RANT ever is how slow suppliers are....

Frye awesome boots.

2010-02-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

I was looking for some great boots for the past year or so, something reasonable and casual yet not too casual. I found these amazing "Veronica" Frye boots the other day at Nordstrom and love them! They are super comfortable and you can walk all day in these, I wear them with denim skinney jeans or leggings. The leather is great and molds to your foot, and they have traction on the bottom, just enough for rainy Seattle days when the stairs get slippery.

Rocco e Dante Italian leather "rocker chic" bracelets now at Clutch in downtown Seattle.

2010-01-29T12:31:00.001-08:00

New at Clutch in downtown Seattle. Rocco e Dante Italian leather cuffs in three different styles, dark purple, green and black Italian leather with gold tone hardware and screw top studs. From $48 on up. Check them out at www.clutchseattle.com or visit their downtown handbag and accessory boutique - in the heart of the financial district at the Fairmont hotel in downtown Seattle.

Real Housewives of OC

2010-01-21T23:11:00.000-08:00

Just got done watching the latest edition of RH of OC. Vicki needs to wear longer skirts. They say when you are over 35 not to wear mini-skirts, and she is like 48 and has huge thighs. I am 38 and don't wear a short skirt unless I wear black tights and I have nice thighs. Just sayin'.

I think Gretchen dresses the cutest and most fashionable, she has a great figure and does not have huge fake DDD breasts.

To be honest, I am so over the fake tits and fake hair thing that was so fashion in LA for the past decade. I am so over it. I like thin women with smaller chests and long brown hair - like 70's style. The Pamela looks is SO OVER. So ladies, if you are saving your money for a big boob job, don't bother, the hottest chicks now are not Pamela Anderson and porno star figures, its more natural, slender and really amazing hair and clear skin. I have never had an issue with my chest, I have been a 34B my whole life and 120-130 lbs. I am not thin, not fat, just average, and I am OK with it for the most part. I would not want a size 2 on the bottom and a size 14 on the top.

But I guess its more or less your goals in life and your career goals. I just am happy to see the more natural look coming back in style. I think its great to shave your legs, but nice to not have implants be the "in" thing.

Fashion blogger?

2010-01-20T20:30:00.000-08:00

I am not a very dedicated fashion blogger. I still do have opinions about things in fashion but I get so busy I forgot to write about them. One of them was that I really loved the dress that LiLo wore to the Golden Globes parties. It was a sequined mini dress and it has a hoodie on it, that I thought was adorable. A lot of bloggers wrote about how stupid that dress was, but I though it was super groovy. Is that still a word? I love hoodies and I loved the way they put a hoodie on a glamour type mini dress, it was a really fun twist.

I will have to find a photo and post it on here. I have like 1,001 things to do each day its hard to keep up with my blogs, facebook, myspace, clients and my own small fashion line. Not to mention a five year old, two dogs and a house., etc.

We support Doctors Without Borders...

2010-01-14T11:26:00.000-08:00

Donate today to help with aid in Haiti!

Amazing Italian handbag hardware...

2009-12-12T14:07:00.000-08:00

I met this really great family owned business in Milan that manufactures and has traditional and unique hardware for handbags and leather goods. In fact, I liked them so much that we decided to work together to bring their business to the USA market. They have great quality hardware and I like the fact that they are a family run business and they can do smaller MOQ for custom hardware, which is great, because many of my freelance customers and myself are smaller companies and we don't need like 1,000 pieces of a dog clip or a custom logo plate, we may just need 100 pieces so they are great for that reason!

Check out their online catalog here, and if you want to order something please feel free to contact me, I teamed up with them to help with the USA market.

Smart Accessori

Ciao for now!

Leather Jackets!

2009-11-30T10:03:00.000-08:00

Leather is really big right now! All the major designers are showing leather jackets, leather pants, and leather accessories. I remember when I was right out of high school I really wanted a leather jacket. So I saved all my tips working at the Red Bird Country Club in Savannah, GA and took the $300 and bought a black mens leather jacket at Wilson's Suede and Leather in a mall in Savannah, GA. It had a elasticized waist and space type shoulder designs, very Michael Jackson. My best friend back in Seattle worked for a custom embroidery company and so she embroidered my name in black on the leather collar. The black leather coat was heavy and amazing, it was a mens size 40 and I wore that jacket for about ten years, all through college. I wish I still had it. About 5 yrs ago when my husband and I purchased our first condo in Los Angeles, I had to purge my closet and it went to Goodwill. Somewhere, most likely in Los Angeles, someone has a black leather jacket with my name stitched in the collar. They probably call it "vintage" and I guess it is...

If I can find a photo of me wearing that coat in the 90's I will post it here. Now I must find a new black leather jacket.....check back soon for the photos. Hard to believe that things I wore in the 90's are now considered "vintage" !!!

Sold out of Rocco and Dr. Phil bag.

2009-11-30T09:58:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to announce we are sold out of the Dr. Phil and the red Rocco satchel.

We are almost sold out of the Carlo coin purse..we started with 300 pcs so I am surprised at how popular that style has been because it was a last minute add on when I ordered it last season. That is great because it makes more room in our office for new stock. We look forward to having new stock in 2010.

Check back or follow our blog to keep informed. Thanks again to all of our customers and for supporting small business.

Leather.

2009-11-17T00:22:00.000-08:00

Since I returned from Italy, I have been working on a huge collection for a private client based out of Los Angeles. I have been ordering swatches from the Linea Pelle show like crazy and I am learning more and more about leather....and everything. I am still waiting for some amazing hardware to be sent. They do take ages to send anything! Like I was in Italy a month ago and some of these places have still not sent me my order! There is definitely a different way of doing business in the USA as compared to Italy. In Italy I don't feel they have a sense of urgency, even if you have money to pay them, they take about one month to send the invoice. Seriously. They are not hungry for business, yet they are hurting. I don't get it. When I want to do business with someone or a vendor, I send the order, the money, everything, I email and follow up with them immediately...I don't wait two weeks to respond to an email or even two days, I respond within a few hours....does it matter?

Even a Slow Economy Can't Keep Fashion Entrepreneurs Down - Fashion Manufacturing News - Apparelnews.net

2009-10-31T20:27:00.000-07:00

Even a Slow Economy Can't Keep Fashion Entrepreneurs Down - Fashion Manufacturing News - Apparelnews.net

Great Article! Reminds me that even in the tough times we have to keep doing what we love, even if those around us think we are crazy! But I could never go back to being a dental assistant!

Amazing blues and purples at Linea Pelle show in Bologna!

2009-10-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Just flew back from Bologna, Italy where I went to the Linea Pelle show for Fall/Winter 2010/11. I found the most amazing accessories, unique and fun, and the skins are lots of metallics in purples and greens. Purple is popular now and will be for some time to come, if we are going by what is at the Linea Pelle show. They are doing so many amazing leather treatments these days, but my favorite is the the deep colors with a bit of metallic shine to them and some texture. I also like pull up treatment. There was tons of animal prints and metallics - but those skins are going for like 50 Euro on up per square meter, pretty expensive for our line! But great to get an idea for what the more high end Italian brands will be doing! Its always cool to see everything, its inspiring, because here in Seattle, there is not enough fashion! Of course we are not allowed to take photos inside the show, some of the suppliers would screen you from even coming into their booth, but I took some of the city! Bologna is amazing with the almost 40 km of porticos.