Animal Print Small Purse by Shamar Custom Design, $175
Sharon Sloane has always enjoyed design as well as Asian Art. When she started coloring in Asian, geometric, optical illusion coloring books, someone suggested she do something with her sense of design. She took the suggestion to heart, poured her sense of design into handbags using vintage kimono and obi fabrics and in 2005, Shamar Custom Design was launched with a collection of purses and accessories.
Sharon uses fabrics from kimono, obi, or a combination of both that are predominantly from the Showa Era (1926 – 1989). Kimono and Obi generally have a theme, often taken from nature. Frequently the theme includes life symbols such as flowers, streams, butterflies, and cranes.
Her purses are custom sewn and adorned from silk that have been handpainted, dyed, or embroidered illustrating primary colors, bright metallics, and bold florals. Embellishments such as rhinestones, brooches, clasps, and handles are added to further enhance the beauty of the fabrics used. Custom design is also available – options that can be customized include color and pattern, shape, size, and ornamentation.
Sharon’s designs have been featured in Lucky, Redbook, and Philadelphia magazine among many others. In addition, one of her designs was among the long list of extravagant gifts inside the lavish gift bags valued at $67,000 given to nominees at the Academy Awards. Celebrities who have been spotted with her bags are Lindsay Wagner, Eva LaRue, and Hilary Duff.
We received the Animal Print Small Purse from Shamar Custom Design’s Handbag Collection. The red flap is from an obi. Fused with the animal print, the obi fabric takes on the feel of the animal print and creates a gorgeous combination. It retails for $175. The purse we received has an added custom embellishment – a removable brooch that matches the beaded handle perfectly.
Where do I begin? How about from the first moment I laid eyes on it. What a beauty! The clutch as displayed on the Shamar site did not have a brooch so it was such a nice surprise to see this custom touch added to it. This little addition gave the clutch a whole new look, a much more sophisticated and polished look.
So I wear this clutch two ways – one with the brooch and one without.
Without the brooch, the clutch has a more casual look to it that is perfect for day use. I wore mine with a white top like this chiffon tie front blouse by BCBG Max Azria and a pair of jeans. The white color of my top made the clutch stand out and made it the focal point of the entire outfit. Uber chic and totally effortless, like you're not even trying at all.
With the brooch, the clutch takes on a more glamorous look that is perfect with that little black dress in your closet. For a special occasion, try it with a strapless dress like this short party dress by Jessica McClintock. The animal print and the red obi fabric adds a stunning splash of color to the solid blackness of the dress.
Whichever way you wear it and whatever you wear it with, one thing it will do with your outfit, is complete it. It’s a striking piece of accessory that I can see residing in my closet forever. If you’re tired of trendy accessories that stay for one season and are gone the next, count yourself lucky because you have just found one beautiful new permanent resident in this utterly elegant clutch purse.
Reviewer: Brown Eyes
