Monday, April 25, 2011
Style A Little Bit of Florence in Chicago
Posted by Heather Kenny on 04.25.11 at 10:48 AM
While searching for “the perfect handbag” on trips to Florence and other Italian cities and villages, Chicagoan Carrie Ella Carmichael often wondered why it was so hard to find the same quality in the U.S. without spending thousands of dollars. In 2007, after “years and years of research,” she launched My Dream Bag as an e-commerce site, offering ready-made and customizable bags made and hand-sewn at a family-owned tannery in Florence. At the beginning of April, wanting to give customers the tactile experience of a bricks-and-mortar retail operation without having to be tied down by a boutique, she opened a showroom at 4043 N. Ravenswood, which also now functions as her office and design space. “It’s my woman cave,” says Carmichael.
Carmichael designs the bags herself, drawing from trends and elements of designer bags, as well as her own research, which involves going to Macy’s on the weekend and watching women in the handbag department for hours. “Once they say ‘OK, I like the shape of it,’ they’ll spend more time playing with the zippers, taking the stuffing out, playing with the compartments. I’ve seen women take the stuff out of their own bags to take [the new bag] for a test drive.” A mother of a toddler herself, Carmichael is aware that pockets and compartments are essential to a well-organized bag. “You need to reach in and find your keys, the sippy cup, the cell phone, whatever.”
Carmichael sends sketches to the tannery, which creates prototypes, and from there she decides which to put into production, in small orders of five to ten bags per style. Offerings from the spring 2011 line include the Ava Sheepskin Satchel, a sleek yet bohemian carryall, and the Beyonce Bag, a simple number festooned with metal studs. Most are offered in a few classic shades—rich brown, black, and cream. The customizable bags, which include designs modeled after Hermès' famous Birkin and Kelly styles, offer a wider variety of colors and finishes and a choice of silver or gold hardware.
In celebration of the grand opening of the showroom, bags from the ready-made line, known as Carrie Ella, are going for $159, while customers who order a customizable bags receive a five-strand “Black Swan” pearl bracelet. The showroom is open by appointment (773-281-BAGS or mydreambagboutique.com).
Comments (4)
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I have been waiting for my bag for 4 months. I have called Carrie Carmichael and each time she has some excuse why my bag is delayed. She charged my credit card 4 months ago and told me she had shipped my bag and I still have not received it. Buyer Beware!!!
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This post is slanderous and unfounded!
I have no reference point since the individual who posted this comment has not identified who they are.
My Dreambag and Carrie Ella handbags are known for their superior craftsmanship and excellent customer service! Lead times for custom bags that are handcrafted in Italy take time.
A custom bag generally takes 6 to 8 weeks to produce, however there is a disclaimer stated on my site:
"Lead times may exceed this time frame due to the custom nature of our handbags, production schedule and import logistics."
None of my clients have ever waited 4 months for a custom bag and I always have delivered.
Respectfully,
Carrie Ella
What happened to Plush Puppy happened to me, too. I have no idea what, for a fact, happened to my handbag. I just know that I, too, waited for several months and got nothing but excuses, and it took a lot of work on my part to even get that. :-(
I know who is writing these unfounded posts and this behavior will not be tolerated
Once again, there has never been an incident where a customer has not received product ordered! I have been in business for 6 years and have never been reported to the better business bureau and am known for exceptional product quality and service. If these 2 previous complaints were true then I certainly would have received dispute notices from my credit card processing company which has never been the case.
I believe these 2 comments are coming from the same unfriendly competitor who is slandering me.
If these comments are being made by legitimate customer(s) please contact me directly or dispute the alleged charge with your credit card company so this matter can be resolved promptly. I am reporting these abusive comments to the Reader.
Carrie Ella
Founder of My Dreambag and Carrie Ella Designs
