Chic Galleria » bags

Interview with Leah & Bliss

Nadia Murdock — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:10:57 +0000

Leah & Bliss are two fashion-forward friends that have created their own distinctive eye- catching bags. These New York savvy girls have brought together their Upper East Side and Gramercy girl styles together to create Leah & Bliss.

Leah & Bliss has not been around that long. Why do you think the public especially celebrities have gravitated to your handbags?

Our ‘Glamazon’ bag packs some serious style punch with its classic shape and boastful bedazzling. It is a feminine take on a classic bag and it adds a playful edge to any outfit. The Leah & Bliss collection is a unique design: high fashion translated into an affordable, easy-to-wear handbag for the style-conscious girl. It’s the perfect complement to any outfit, and it comes in a variety of chic styles and vivacious color combos for work or play.

The public and especially celebs have been loving the bag because it is just so eye catching and fabulous! When Kristin Chenoweth came in this fashion week, she was gasping for air from the sheer sight of the blinged out bags. “SHUT UP! These are RETAAARRTED,” she exclaimed as she ended up changing her entire outfit to include the Black Glamazon bag for the US Weekly Magazine party. She could not stop saying how perfect the bag was for her and everyday life.

How long have Mona Leah & Tara Bliss been friends?

Mona and Tara met in their first year of college through mutual friends, they just clicked instantly. Their sense of style and excitement for fashion couldn’t keep them away from each other.

What do each of you bring to the table to make such a dynamic brand?

Mona is a sweet Gramercy girl with a passion for glamorous purses and shoes. She grew up coveting the latest designer bags, but she always dreamed of creating her own collection. Tara is a trend-setting Upper East Side girl with a keen eye for quality. She always knows what she wants, and most of the time wanted it sparkly with jewelry.

Just this past Fashion Week you debuted the Holiday & Cruise collection. What inspired these designs?

People always consider our bag jewelry, so we wanted to do something dressier and what girl doesn’t appreciate pearls? This collection makes classic pearls that you usually see around ones neck, more playful and fun. The handbags easily go from day to night.

Where can your handbags be found?

Sold online at leahandbliss.com and they can also be found at Henry Bendel’s, Jimmy’s, Chez Moi, Singer 22, Steven Dann, Realm, Private Collection Chelsea.

Follow Leah & Bliss on Twitter @leahandbliss

Find Leah & Bliss on Facebook

Being the offspring of a fashionista, Nadia Murdock has always had a passion for fashion. She decided to put her passion to work two years ago and launched Manchester Public Relations www.manchesterpublicrelations.com. Nadia is the Public Relations Director for Chic Galleria magazine and works in New York City.

Bag Envy

Christie Ressel — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 05:54:59 +0000

Purses are my weakness. It’s pretty serious. There isn’t a time when I stroll through Holt Renfrew, or any other boutique where my eyes don’t plant themselves on another purse that I “must have”.

So whilst browsing online, naturally I gasped when feasting my eyes on this gem – the Rocco mini Duffle Bag by Alexander Wang. In my opinion, Alexander can do no wrong. This bag is one that will go the extra mile in your wardrobe as the grey (a fabulous neutral colour) will carry you through multiple seasons.

Loving that this is a duffle bag, you can surely use this for multiple purposes and stuff just about anything in it – loves!

It has a studded bottom, giving it some extra edge while also protecting the bottom.

In short – I love it. What do you think?

Warmest wishes,

Christie Ressel, International Image Consultant and Style Coach
Personal Power Image Consulting

*Christie is an image consultant and style coach that is regularly featured in the media and press across Canada and the USA. She runs, “Personal Power Image Consulting” where she helps women feel more chic, stylish, and confident through her stylish personal and online style services.

Fashion Does Double Time Part 2

Dawn Del Russo — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:34:00 +0000

Did you catch Fashion Double Time Part 1?

Handbag Chain turned Jewelry – So we all have clutches that come with the super long silver or gold chain, that we never use, well, these turn into super stylish necklace’s and bracelets, some even have closures clips!

Shopping Bag Wrapping Paper- Tons of your favorite shops are handing out delicious shopping bags that are too pretty to throw away, why not wrap gifts in them.

Dawn Del Russo is a Fashion & Lifestyle Stylist, Featured in InStyle, US Weekly, Life & Style, TV Fox 5, Author “101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle”.

Fashion Does Double Time Part 1

Dawn Del Russo — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:07:24 +0000

Fashion Double Time ~ By Dawn Del Russo

Why shouldn’t fashion work double time for you? We all have items we either received as a free gift, or came part of the item we purchased. It’s time to get those items working for you. I found a few great resourceful ways to use dust covers, boxes, and gift bags as new items in your life. When you get tired of one use, try these dual purpose ideas. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this fabulous segment.

Your usual make-up case – Try a chic makeup box with pretty detail to organize your jewelry in all the cute compartments. Handbag Cover that come with designer bags – Who needs to spend money on a specially made bag. When traveling store your pricey lingerie in your handbag covers, then use for your laundry..wait that is 3 in one!!!

Free makeup bag turned evening clutch – When you’re shopping for your favorite makeup brand, they always thrown in a free gift, take the zipper logo off, and you have a fabulous clutch.

Shoe Box Storage- So when you were little did you store all your secret admirer notes in your boxes? Why not re-invent your shoe boxes, organize scarves, and headbands in them.

Dawn Del Russo is a Fashion & Lifestyle Stylist, Featured in InStyle, US Weekly, Life & Style, TV Fox 5, Author “101 Glam Girl Ways to an Ultra Chic Lifestyle”.

Fashion Does Double Time Part 2

Giveaway: Sondra Roberts Satchel

Beth Anderson — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:45:33 +0000

Thirty years ago in midtown Manhattan, Sondra Camche´ spent an afternoon walking into every upscale accessory store on Madison Avenue, introducing them to a new kind of luxury handbag – one made of the same exotic quality materials and in the same timeless style of the most prestigious brands – but at price points that would allow women to buy one for every season, not just one every few years. She began taking orders on the spot, launching both a new company and a revolution in woman’s accessory fashions.

In the years that followed, Sondra was joined by her sons Robert and Glenn, who expanded the company’s products to include a second line called “SR by Sondra Roberts” drawing from the same quality construction & style with more affordable man-made materials. Today, Robert & Glenn run the company in Sondra’s memory, but they maintain a passionate dedication to the secret formula their mother established: timeless style and selection, quality that lasts, and unparalleled value.

That formula has inspired an almost cult-like following of customers who know they are in on one of the best-kept secrets in woman’s fashion: a diverse selection of unique styles at affordable prices that inspire curious attention, command the respect of a savvy purchase, and can complete the look of any outfit on any occasion. Ask any Sondra Roberts woman and she will tell you that she returns again and again for handbags that deliver timeless style, quality that lasts, versatility for everyday life, and the savviest value in woman’s accessories. http://sondraroberts.com

Recently featured in the November issues of Oprah Magazine, Lucky and Vogue, Sondra Roberts clutches are a great buy for under $100. They are definitely the IT bag. People are always asking me what handbag I carry. While I don’t get paid to endorse any designer, I do have my favorites. I love my black ruffle snake satchel with the metallic piping from Sondra Roberts. This bag takes me from day to evening events and is always a topic of conversation. I constantly hear, “Where did you get that bag?” My wardrobe is basically black and white pieces that I mix and match. I couldn’t ask for a more perfect accessory. Click here http://bit.ly/chicgalleria and take a look around!

Sondra Roberts has a “Secret’s Out” holiday twitter promotion coming too! Every Friday from November 27 to December 18th @SondraRoberts will be announcing a special 30% off coupon code that is valid for only 2 hours sometime between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm EST. The coupon is good for ANY Sondra Roberts bag AND, the first 3 people to use the code that day will get their bag of choice for FREE! More information can be found here on SondraRoberts.com

Chic Galleria, together with Sondra Roberts are going to give 1 lucky reader their very own Sondra Roberts bag! This turquoise snake satchel will be one of the most gorgeous accessories in your wardrobe. A $127 value, this handbag could be a chic holiday gift to yourself or a very special someone. Want to be entered to win? Just leave a comment on this article and let us know who you would give the bag to or if you would keep it for yourself!

Congratulations Jenna (jennabarson)!