Photo Shoot: The Cass Clutch

For a recent Cass Clutch photo shoot I collaborated with Marley Jones, who attends the Academy Of Art in SF to become a fashion stylist.   After meeting and discussing my vision for The Cass Clutch's Spring look, I left for Marley to source the clothes, the location and the models.  Make-up and hair stylist, Winnie Johnson, helped bring the vision to life.  With me behind the lens, we created sophisticatedly urban [yet playful] scenes for The Cass Clutch.  Take a look:

Designing,  manufacturing and marketing The Cass Clutch allows me the opportunity to meet and work with many amazingly talented people.  Marley Jones, you top the list.  Thank you for pulling together the look and feel I was envisioning for The Cass Clutch this season.  

Stylist:  Marley Jones

Hair and MU:  Winnie Johnson

Photographer:  Debra Szidon

Models:  Birdy Lauvdal and Madison Muraoka

The Cass Clutch: A Campaign Retrospective

During the past 3 weeks, The Cass Clutch Kickstarter campaign received an amazing amount of support.  It stemmed from contributors, fellow bloggers, magazine and newspaper articles, Instragram posts and many, many fb shares.  I'm so grateful for every little bit of it!  Having spent the last year and half working on its design, production, manufacturing and marketing, it's hard to believe that the final phase of the project, the Kickstarter Campaign is just about done.  I'm excited for what lies ahead. 

With just 4 days left, I'm confident that together we'll make our goal and that everyone who pledged any amount will receive his or her reward and love it.  All contributions, be they big or small, were and are deeply appreciated.

At this time, I would like to share some of the images that have been taken of The Cass Clutch during its campaign. Styled and modeled in different ways, The Cass Clutch proves to be the handbag for any woman and any lifestyle.  Take a look:

   WomnMag  Photos:  Memry Anderson

Photos: Jon Kingston Model:  Natalia Protopopoff

Kellee Bachour

Gingercaftan and model Tanya. 

Beverly Jane Peatross for The Cass Clutch video. Videographers:  Noisy Savage Photo: Jayson Carpenter

and me, ready for a night out with The Cass Clutch. 

Behind The Scenes: The Cass Clutch Video

For the past year [or so] I've been working on designing a handbag:  The Cass Clutch.  Having no experience in the leather industry, in sewing nor in fashion, I challenged myself to learn what I needed to learn and then some.  Working with Sven Design, a Berkeley leather studio, I had several prototypes made before settling on the final materials and design for the bag.  Vintage inspired, the Cass Clutch resonates with both modern and classic sensibilities.  Two weeks ago,  we filmed a lifestyle video for Kickstarter showcasing the bag in its many uses.  It was featured as a clutch worn under the arm, as a fashionable tote and as a stylish briefcase carrying a laptop, a clipboard and a business folder in addition to other everyday essentials.  As its release nears, I'm realizing just how much I've enjoyed the "process" of getting to know the product, all the talented people involved and the many marketing strategies for building a brand.  From scouting film locations, securing a picture car and a video team, to picking a model (and styling both the model and the home), it has all been super exciting!  I couldn't have done it without the help of all of these generous people:  NR & AR who let us use their home,  Beverly Jane Peatross, who showcased the Cass Clutch so beautifully, Noisy Savage (the accomplished men behind the cameras), Skip Z. for trusting us with his 1969 Lincoln Convertible, Jennifer from Good, Unlimited for script support and Sven Design for believing in me and masterfully guiding me along this voyage.  Many, many thanks to all of you!!   

I look forward to seeing this through!  

There are still a few things that need to fall into place before the Kickstarter campaign launches, so in the mean time be sure to follow and like Cass Clutch here and here and stay tuned for the website launch as well.  Any inquiries can be sent to info@thecassclutch.com

Thank you, and for now, enjoy some behind the scenes images from the Cass Clutch video shoot: 

Photo:  Jayson Carpenter 

Dedicated To Design

About this time last week, I was taking care of last minute details for my Dedicated To Design presentation at the Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery in Lafayette, CA.  Having had little experience in (or liking for) public speaking, I made sure the talk was both interactive and active.  Utilizing items from our home I created 3 very distinct settings:  one for the "urban sophisticate", another for the "family focused" and lastly one for the "eternal bohemian".  I hung art, placed and stylized textiles, botanicals and decorative objects for at least 45 minutes of design frenzy.  My goal was to show the event attendees how to create their own vignettes in order to effectively personalize their spaces.  Below is a list of tips I shared with them.  Take a look:

A Few Friday Favorites

1.  I love a round cutting board (especially one with a brass handle).

2. This reclaimed teak rocker personifies the perfect balance between modern and classic designs.

3.  A two-tone draped jumpsuit to wear at [just about] any summer gathering. 

4.  Simple and elegant this bedroom beckons all nappers.

5. A mixed metal bracelet to wear on its own or combined with others you already own. 

6.  For the brass obsessed (as in me), these pencil sharpeners.  

7.  The Hitchhiker Clog by Rachel Comey (someday I'll get my feet into a pair of her shoes). 

8. With the fleeting fig season upon us, this smoothie is right up my taste buds' alley.