North Bay handbag designer, Amy Steele, has been named a finalist in the Independent Handbag Designer Awards. Her “Festival Belt Bag” is one of five finalists in the “Cutting Edge Bag” category sponsored by Nasty Gal.
Steele’s sketch was chosen from among 1,500 submissions by designers from 28 different countries. This is the second time that one of her designs has been a finalist in the awards.
“I feel very honoured to have been included in this group of amazing designers,” says Steele.
The winners will be announced on June 14th at an awards ceremony in New York City. The Independent Handbag Designer Awards by Handbag Designer 101 was created to celebrate handbag design and creativity from the United States and around the world. Now in its eleventh year, it is an industry staple and is the only international design competition to discover, recognize and create brand awareness for independent handbag designers.
“Win or lose, this will be a great opportunity for me to meet other designers and accessories professionals,” says Steele, who will be travelling to New York for the gala event."
“We’re so proud of Amy”, says Katie Bevan, owner of the FARM (Fashion and Art Retail Market), a women’s fashion boutique specializing in Canadian designers located in North Bay. “Amy has been with the FARM since we opened in 2010 and we’re thrilled that she will be representing North Bay on the world stage. There is so much creative talent in this community and we love when it’s celebrated”.
All finalists are also entered in a fan favourite competition sponsored by In Style magazine and chosen by online votes (http://www.instyle.com/
Amy Steele Bags, launched in 2006, was borne of a serious handbag addiction, a love of sewing and a desire for a career change. She left teaching finance at Dalhousie University and working with a financial risk management consultancy to transform her passion for bags into a full-time business.
Although Amy does not have formal fashion training, she does come from a long line of talented sewers; her grandmother was a dressmaker and designer and her mother is an accomplished quilter, designer and teacher. Each Amy Steele bag is handmade in North Bay, in a studio overlooking Trout Lake.
