Sustainable & Hand Made
Designer Evening Bags
When talented dressmaker Marie Cicciarelli quit her public service job, she was determined to work in fashion. She experimented with an online store but it was while she was custom making mother-of-the-bride gowns that Marie stumbled upon a niche idea that is growing into a popular business.
Rebranding as Marie Antonietta, Marie’s business idea is very simple and sustainable. Marie uses offcuts and left-over fabrics that would otherwise be sent to landfill. She converts them into matching or contrasting bags. And purses.
After making a bag in surplus fabric for one of her mother-of-the-bride clients, Marie began to experiment with other off-cuts and in a short time her bags were receiving attention from friends for their unique look.
Handbags for day, clutch bags, sequined evening purses, and even mod 70’s styles are finished with oversized chain straps, gold loops or buckles. Recycled or repurposed handles add a stylish touch. Nothing is off limits, with her bags ranging from being made from denim to silks to snakeskin patterns and vegan leather.
While she’s determined to keep things simple, she’s also keeping it local and purchases can also be made by Direct Messaging on her Instagram page. You might also have the option of asking her to style a bag out of your own offcuts to match your outfit for a special occasion. And because they’re genuinely made from offcuts, each bag is likely to be completely unique, so your signature style just got elevated by a sustainable boost.
With fashion and accessories being among the biggest polluters of our planet, we’re delighted to see a new business that is offering something completely different while adding almost nothing to landfill or environmental degradation. In fact, Marie Antonietta Bags are helping to reduce waste from the industry.
If like us you and your friends are into reuse, recycle and repurposing, then we bet there’s a Marie Antonietta purse or designer evening bag for you or someone on your Christmas list.
Reasonably priced and lovingly made, you can check them out in person at Indy Love Boutique, or online at Marie-Antonietta’s Instagram @marieantonietta_ .
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