Holiday Fun!!

Surprise loved ones with handmade!

This holiday season I've decided to do something a little different. Few few months ago I stumbled upon a unique and fun website called Etsy.com. While browsing through I decided to give selling on the site a shot. I have so many prototypes that I make (while deciding what items will be in my line), that selling through my stock seemed like the best idea since sliced bread. So far I've had great success and am extremely impressed with the amount of talent on this site!!

Anyway, this holiday season I'm giving away all handmade items to my loved ones. Each item I've bought off of Etsy, and I'm a proud to say that I am supporting all those independent designers out there!

So here are a few of my favorites from the site! Surprise your loved ones with a handmade item from Etsy.com:)

I've been gone forever!

Alright so I haven't been the best at keeping up with my blog, but I'm trying to work on completing my HUGE pile of "to-dos".
So this post is just an update of what's been going on in the Rebecca office. First of all my luxury handbags have arrived from the factory and we will be taking our photo shoot in the coming weeks! I am extremely happy with the handbags and can't wait to post them on my website. Now unfortunately these designs will only be available on a "wait list order", because these are really for fall 2009 I'm not going to be offering them for individual purchase just yet. Wholesalers can feel free to order as many as you want, because of course we will have them available to you by fall 2009! Another exciting thing about these bags is that we will be going to our first official trade show to show them off!!
Alright the next exciting news is that we've joined the Esty.com crew! I kind of just stumbled upon it this summer and official signed up in October. A few days later I took the plunge and started my first Esty.com shop:) I've started out with wonderful success, and have found a ton of inspiration from other extremely talented artists!
So for now this is the news, I am continually working on my designs and can't wait to update you with the new photo shoot photos:)

Stay Posted

Las Vegas Magic Trade Show

Fashion Trade Shows!

by:Rebecca

For many new designers selling their merchandise can be somewhat of a hard task, but with trade shows the task can be a little easier. Trade shows are a collaboration of many designers (big and small) who show their items for the seasons to come. Buyers then come to these shows (from departments stores to small boutiques) and choose which pieces they would like for their store. Now what I love about these shows is that as a designer you can bring all your pieces for the season to one place and have hundreds of boutiques look at your goods. The chances of selling your items is pretty high, so your guaranteed to make some money.

Now as a designer you can only become a household name by selling to as many places as possible. The key to this is offering a product that people will want, but it's hard to guess what a certain store will want to stock or not. I tend to find that if I follow the trends of the seasons to come and offer a wide range of colors people tend to respond more to this.

Now for those of you who are ready to sell and or want to buy from designers, the next trade show will be Magic in Las Vegas! Magic is a collection of designers who sell a wide range of fashion (designer, contemporary, streetwear, casual, active, footwear and accessory collections). The show starts August 25th and ends August 27th, while there you will see some of the most talented design groups who offer extraordinary pieces for consumers. Now what I love about these shows is that it is so inspirational as a designer to see what others imaginations come up with in their collections. Although it is quite busy 99 percent of the time, when you have a break you can really see what companies are creating! I recommend all designers who are very serious about their careers, and want to expand on their business to seek out a trade show. The costs can be quite high, but if you offer a product that you believe in you can most certainly go home with a profit! Check out the Magic site to see more dates for shows, and learn a little bit about the history of the show!

www.magiconline.com

Magic Las Vegas is from August 25-27th and will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center & the Las Vegas Hilton!

Wink Elf

Tired of eBay, try Wink elf!


I happened to stubble upon the cutest auction site this pats month, it's called Wink elf! Specifically geared to moms this site carries adorable hair clips, art work, and clothing! After browsing around for awhile I found several goodies that are perfect for my little cousins, and even a few cute handbags for me! Each item on the site is required to be handmade, which means we're helping the independent designers out there.

So if you happen to be an independent designer or someone who wants to buy independent designer goods, check this site out! I decided I would try out the site for you, and give you the 411 on how it works. Now in may opinion (from a seller point of view), this site is wonderful meaning that unlike ebay you don't have to pay extra to have your item listed for 30 days! Alright I'm getting ahead of myself, so the first step is of course filling out all your information (just like every other site), pretty easy. Next you can start listing, what's even better is t you have the option to download your own html code. This way you can personalize your items, you can also personalize your shopping site on Wink elf. Alright after you download all the information about your item, you can list your asking price and list a range of prices people can bid on (i.e. my item is $40 I'll list the range of prices I will accept as $35-39.99).

Once your item is up you don't have to worry about it for 30 days, well you do have to keep an eye on it to see if people have bought it or not. What I really enjoy about this site is that it focuses on providing handmade items made by independent designers! I've had my bags up on the site for about 2 weeks now and have seen very positive results! So my new favorite site to constantly be on is Wink elf, check it out you won't be disappointed!

www.winkelf.com

(items shown are all located on link elf: bei tesori boutique door knobs, rebecca sophie tote)

Trend Report for fall/winter 2009

Fall's just around the corner!
by:Rebecca
With summer quickly coming to an end, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and spiced pumpkin pies are just around the corner. With the beautiful colors of the changing trees being the inspiration for many designers, we decided to focus our trend report on the "Fallen Colors" of the season.

Burnt Orange, Mustard Yellow, Spiced Brown, Scarlet Red, and Olive Green are just a few colors that can be seen for the fall/winter 2009 collections. In our trend report we focus on Burnt Orange, Mustard Yellow, and Scarlet Red. We absolutely love the colors for the season, just imagine bundling up in your sweater and pairing one of these accessories with your outfit! A few of our favorites for the season are the John Galliano Shoes (to DIE FOR!!) , the Rebecca Semi-precious stone Clutches, Ralph Lauren Boots, Moschino Gloves, and many more!

What's even better about these colors for the season is that they can easily roll into spring and summer! Unlike some crazy color combinations these work well together, mix and match is a must with these warm fall colors.
On another note, we would love to talk about why we love trend reports! Trend reports are incredibly useful to designers and consumers. They offer a sneak peek at what's to come for the next season. Designers of course will need trend reports that focus on several seasons to come, which is why they invest in companies that offer trend forecasting. Trend forecasting allows designers to create their collections for the next season (which is really 2 seasons away from what consumers buy). Consumers can view trend reports in magazines and on the Internet. The difference about our trend reports and those in magazine, is that we show the current, right off the runway, designs. Where as in the magazines they are showing designs that were on the runways 4-6 months earlier! It doesn't necessarily affect you per say, but if you want to know what colors, styles, and trends are going to be for the seasons to come check out our blog frequently to see new styles!

Helping Animals

Lending a helping hand to the humane society!

We have recently posted an auction on ebay where 15% of our sale will go to the Humane Society of the United States. This society not only helps domestic animals but also gives a helping hand to the wild ones!

We support those who give to protect, save, and find homes for these animals! We have also started to use Vegan leathers, these leathers were made without any harm to animals. With the environment struggling the way it is we felt that Rebecca could do its part to help the earth and the creatures that live in it!

Please check out the Humane Society of the United States
and our auction on ebay!

Fresh designs for the fall!

Fun New Totes for the Fabulous You!

We have spiced up a few of our designs and hope you will enjoy them.

Bucket Tote

Chloe Tote

Sophie Tote

New Clutches!!

New Goodies Available!

Check out our website for more items! Pompom Clutch

VOTE FOR US AND WIN!

Please follow the link and vote for us!

all you have to do is follow the link scroll down the page and fill out the handbag section.
The designer name is Rebecca
The website is www.rebeccaanneallen.com
and feel free to enter in any comments!

then scroll down some more and just fill out info area with your name and email! Bam! your entered in the chance to win $500.

Thanks so much!!!

New Handbags and Clutches

We have new handbags and clutches available!!

we just received some beautiful clutches and handbags ready for wardrobe! here are a few to see the rest check out our website!

www.rebeccaanneallen.com

bloom clutch

overgrown tote

Rebecca Accessories is on Myspace!

We are now on Myspace!

we will have new pictures, videos and updates on the company add us as a friend!


Find me on MySpace and be my friend!

CBS Early Morning Show Independent Handbag Designer Awards

CBS Early Morning Show
Thursday 19, 2008

The Independent Handbag Designer Awards Finalist were seen on the CBS Morning Show. Mine is part of the Best Student Handbag! Check out the link below to watch clip from the show!


http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4194101n



Thank you to all of those who voted for my handbag for Audience Favorite!

And even more, thank you all for being extremely supportive of my designs!

Henri Bendel Press Release Party

Here are a few pictures from the Henri Bendel Press Release Party!

Enjoy!


Outside the Henri Bendel Store on 5th Avenue

Me outside the Henri Bendel Store on 5th Avenue where my handbag was in the store window!


At the Party on the 3rd floor of the Henri Bendel Party


Looking up from the bottom floor

My handbag in the store window

My name on the store window!

My handbag again in the store window
Store Window

Independent Handbag Designer Awards

Independent Handbag Designer Awards

I will be appearing at the Henri Bendel Store the night of June 11th for the IDHA press release!
Then the night of June 18th I will be at the IDHA award show and hopefully win the best student handbag award!

Also keep an eye out for the winners on the CBS Early Show (airs 7 am-9am), you will get a chance to see (hopefully me) all the winners!!

Here's another glance at the winning bag
Don't forget to vote for my bag!

BEST AUDIENCE HANDBAG

Vote for ME for the Best Audience Handbag!!

I'm up for the best audience handbag and I've included a link for anyone and everyone to vote for me.

http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/ui/ihda


THANKS!!!:)

Article in the Miami Herald!

My first article was printed yesterday in the Miami Herald, and it is super exciting as a beginning designer to have something printed about my work!!

Check out my handbag design and the article at the web address below. To view the bag, a large picture of the YSL perfume is shown, below it there is a link that says "more pictures" click on that and flip through till you see mine:)

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/style/story/522911.html

Don't forget to check out my website www.rebeccaanneallen.com


Also another exciting event happening for me (and the bag featured in the article) is our placement in the top five best handbags designed by students!! Chosen out of over 600 people my handbag will be featured at the IDHA (independent designer handbag awards)and if I win first prize I will have an apprenticeship with the Henri Bendel Accessory Design Team in New York City!!

The ceremony is on June 18th from 7-10 pm at the New York Historical Society!

There will also be a press conference with the designer on June 11th at the Henri Bendel store on 5th Avenue.


Check out the other contestants at
http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/awards/finalists_2008

Trend Report

Fall 2008
Trend Report
Flowers In Bloom

Let your wardrobe grow with these flower embellished designs!

This month we've combined a few pieces from top designers (such as Prada, Stella McCartney, and Chanel), and ourselves to bring you a new look for the fall 2008 season. Trend Reports give a customer a good idea of what styles and products are available for the next season.

With this trend report Rebecca focuses on the flower embellishment popular this spring and carries it into the fall season. Our darker color choices create an elegant look to our totes and clutches. Remember each design is available for purchase, and if you wish to have a custom design handbag feel free to email me! Don't forget to check out my website at www.rebeccaanneallen.com
This trend report includes our Overgrown collection, both pieces in black leather.

Rebecca Accessories

overgrown collection

overgrown sea moss green clutch

Yay! Our first photo shoot for the Rebecca accessory line. My beautiful model displays our custom made handbags wonderfully.

Our Overgrown collection revolves around the overgrowth and take over of plants. Each handbag and accessory has a cluster of hand cut flowers trailing along it. Our collection is a combination of clutches, totes, and belts. Each item is offered in a variety of colors and materials (from leather to suede, and silk).

We are continually updating our collection, and soon we will offer cute accessories for your pets!! Keep a look out for our new products on www.rebeccaanneallen.com. Our website will be updated soon with a list of all the items in our collection and a place to order the pieces, but for now you can take a look at my portfolio and other accessories I've created.


I'm trying to expand my business and am currently looking for boutiques and online stores to sell to. If you are interested or have any information about stores that you think would be interested in my product please feel free to let me know, I would greatly appreciate it!

Here are a few of the pieces from our current photo shoot, Enjoy!:)

Picture above includes the Overgrown sea moss green leather waist belt and circle tote



Overgrown dark purple clutch












Overgrown blue/purple croc embossed suede circle tote with wooden handle

Model: Katie