Now let’s talk about the hottest handbag designer in town BUT right before I reveal the Queen at hand allow me to introduce to you how I first met this genius. Last summer, like the summer before this past one. You know because COVID-19 summer doesn’t really count.
Anyway, I was walking in the city floating along as I usually do. This day is particularly interesting because I’m usually hanging out in the city but this day I really had no direction. I kind of was heading into old city to see how much trouble I could get into before bedtime. On market street walking passed 5th, I hear, “excuse me!” I couldn’t help but notice this force to be reckoned with, led towards me. It seemed to have happened so fast before I realized I was posing for a street style pic with the designer herself!
She went on about how cute I looked and that she would love to use the image to promote her brand online. I replied, “sure!” But in my head I said, “she has no idea.” I giggled after our little shoot and thought to myself how God blessed me with another moment of victory. How would she have ever known that I was the voice? How? We didn’t even know each other prior, it was just a moment of confirmation. We stayed in touch and encouraged each others growth along the way! So without further ado World, I’d love to introduce to you the legend herself, Vanessa Melbourne of V.Nicole handbags.
1. What inspires the design of your bags? The materials, the clear component, colors, etc.
I would say that my brand is a handbag line that provides you with an essential component as well as a luxury. The transparency (PVC) caters to different markets such as airport security checks, store entrances and for nurses and doctors who are required to have a transparent bag. Another example is stadium entrances, Amazon workers etc. because in today’s world you don’t want anyone to stick their hands in your personal belongings, so my bag line gives clients the opportunity to just raise their bags and smile, keeping everyone safe! [The PVC] being mixed with leather gives it that beautiful luxury touch!
2. At what point or when did you decide to start making bags? Why?
As a human race we often think about our purpose and what that truly means. I thought to myself, “Let me Google my name one day and see what happens…” and sure enough there was a handbag named after me, both first and last name overseas by a company. All I did was laugh and called my mother who jokingly named me a bag lady since I was little. She told me that I should come out with my own and I took that idea and ran with it. I wanted to be different, iconic and essential. So I took a little PVC and a little leather and boom, V.Nicole was made after a year and a half.
3. What sort of strategies did you use to grow your brand? What was the role of social media in that strategy?
I know a lot of people who are in fashion in Philly and New York! I would stop people and ask them to pose for a pic with the bag, and people always got a kick out of it! Believe it or not, that’s how I met Yanez! She was so happy, and we fell in love and connected ever since. Word of mouth is a very powerful source of marketing for me because I have a big mouth. I would go to events just to get the word out and express the true passion behind the transparency.
4. Congratulations on selling through! How did you feel when that happened?
When I sold out, I felt like fireworks went off in my head. I was still, and I didn’t know what to say or do or anything. I did a video on the importance of being transparent and the sales went through the roof. I naturally thought to myself that people love the idea behind the PVC, and what it truly means. “Remember to be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by anyone but yourself. My brand challenges you to be transparent. So blame it all on the transparency!” –V.Nicole
5. What aspect of your bags do you think contributed to that sell-out?
I think people buy from whom they like. I believe they believe in my passion to spread self-love through being transparent with oneself. Many people have been waiting for me to get this done and waiting to see my vision come alive. So the love was so incredible when I actually launched my first two bags. I believe that they love that I am doing something different, which inspires people for more.
