Author Archives: Laura Dotolo

About Laura Dotolo

My inspiration as a designer is something I’m frequently asked about. I started my career as a fashion stylist here in New York City. I have always found Manhattan to be the perfect canvas on which to create. There is always a hum on the streets here, a hum that gets into your veins, and motivates you to bring to fruition a dream.

Clutch Made Video Production

clutch made video

The clutch made team on set.

Clutch Made Video Productions just finished a video and photo shoot for one of our new clients, Auriela Garza,  and the video came out fantastic! I can’t wait to  publish it soon; stay tuned!

I have spent my entire career on set so creating full media production capability for Clutch Made was a snap!  Video production for our clients is a natural extension of my design and styling career on set for some of the biggest brand names in the business. This video was shot in our Manhattan studio.

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Clutch Made and our creative team started with product development for Auriela, went to sampling and then to full production here in Manhattan. We’re very proud of how the finished product turned out; Aurelia is a real talent.  She now has a quality Made in USA product to sell.

We’re Hiring a Product Developer!

Product Development Position opening

Clutch Made is a Manhattan handbag manufacturer as well as a designer and manufacturer of all types of accessory products for brands big and small.  We are looking for a Product Developer with an entrepreneurial spirit and a can do attitude to work with our rapidly growing client base. Successful candidate will turn our client ideas into tech packs and samples, source and curate materials, consult with our factories, track costing data, oversee production and be the face of our brand with assigned client accounts.

Skills Required: Good verbal and written communication skills, excellent organizational skills, knowledge of studio software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Excel, Word & Social Media), ability to meet deadlines in a high-energy environment. Creative yet meticulous attention to detail. Problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities:

  • PRODUCT DEVELOPEMENT:
    • Provide Clutch Made clients with the best sourcing options for their needs and budgets.
    • Research the market in which the product will be sold to find product trends and try to gain a competitive edge on other designs.
    • Source and curate all initial materials for projects and propose options to management.
    • Consult with factories to create prototypes and translate sketches into working spec sheets and tech packs to create samples.
    • Gather costing data to estimate production costs and update costing sheets on Excel.
    • Work with factories and suppliers to ensure the final samples are the best version of the client’s vision.
    • Ship samples to clients. Track shipments and create packing slips.
    • Take photos of projects and processes for social media handles.
  • PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT:
    • Efficient and timely production of goods at the factory and the shipping/delivery of those goods to the client.
    • Implement the production schedule, reviewing and adjusting it when necessary while at the same updating management team about changes.
    • Manage all the human and material resources necessary for manufacturing and ensure delivery to factories.
    • Monitor our factories, suppliers and vendors to maintain quality control and consistency of procedures to Clutch Made standards.
    • Update production calendar and project management software.
    • Develop efficient collaboration and co-ordination between relevant sources for production completion, including mills, printers, factories and management.

    Contact us Here to request an application.

 

MANUFACTURING IN USA

 

 

manufacturing in usa

manufacturing in usa

 

                                                 MANUFACTURING IN USA

 

As a kid I remember sitting at the dinner table as my dad spieled off about why he will only ever in his life buy an American car.  And why did you think that was?  Possibly because all he believed in while he was growing up and well now into his adulthood, was that if you bought American, you were ultimately supporting your own economy; it was simply known that there is only manufacturing in USA and that is all.   You were believing in your neighbor, your client, your patient, your friend and supporting the only livelihood you had: your country. And if you did this, it would all come back to you, back to you in dollars for your own livelihood, in your own business, in your own community, in your own successes.  Manufacturing in the USA is now more about resuscitating life into a country that is hungry again for innovation than about anything else.

I realized as I sat listening to my dad, that this made some sense.  That if I believed in America and wanted myself as well as my neighbor to be a success as well as my community to flourish, I would need to support that community and do my business within it.  I would need to spend my dollars where they mattered most, in the USA.

I never realized how much of an impact those dinner table conversations played upon the morals of who I have become today  as a manufacturer until I began the journey of manufacturing handbags.  I new when I started making Clutch Bags  in 2001 that there was no choice in the matter but to manufacture in the USA.  And to this day, as I manufacture handbags, dog collars,  home accessories, all here in the USA, I think back to the importance of being raised with values that keep me true to my community, my economy and to my country.

As Clutch Made grows and is discovered by more entrepreneurs, small businesses and start-ups as a manufacturing entry point into the American Made market, then, more than ever, do I realize that we at Clutch NY are truly on the path resuscitating American innovation and manufacturing in the USA.

Please contact us if you are interested in bringing your idea to life.  We will work with you on product development and will manufacture your product here in the USA.

 

Keep it Clutch!

 

Laura Dotolo

Clutch Bags New York

 

 

Clutch Made in USA


Clutch Made in USA

                     CLUTCH MADE

                                 in

                               USA

Clutch Made in USA is awesome stuff made in the USA by Clutch NY.  Clutch NY now manufactures a wide range of goods here in the USA for small businesses to large brands. We have begun to manufacture everything from handbags, wallets, belts, leather goods, to apparel and dresses, t-shirts, baby clothes, pet accessories, hair accessories and home goods. How did this happen? Continue reading

Spring Styles

Spring Styles

                                                                                           SPRING STYLES

Spring Styles are starting to become apparent now that the weather has changed and warmed up.  Women are finally able to take off those heavy coats and leather knee high boots and reveal a bit of their feminine side.  And let me tell you ladies, this is a very feminine spring! Continue reading

New York City Street Style #8

New York City Street Style

        NEW YORK CITY STREET STYLE

New York City street style has to be one of the most sought after styles of  fashion  in the world.  And yet, no one even thinks of NYC in these “branding” terms.  As a New York City Stylist for 20 years and a handbag designer for 15 years, I can decisively say that the fashion street inspiration you see in NYC  is definitely a sought after style of fashion around the globe.I have always stated that I have found the inspirations for the designs of the Clutch Bags NY handbag collection on the streets of New York City. Continue reading

Gold is Trending Up

gold is trending up

               GOLD IS TRENDING UP

If you have happened to take a look on the streets as of lately and noticed under any of these big coats a hint of gold in accessories or clothing, then you are probably seeing one of the biggest trends of spring  fashion for 2014: Gold is trending up. Continue reading

Urban Luggage in NYC

urban luggage

                    URBAN LUGGAGE in NYC

Urban luggage seems to be the newest catch phrase for handbags, totes, clutches and just about any bags you carry at the same time throughout the day.  This completely makes sense, as now on the streets, more than ever, every person carries at least one bag if not two or three.  What is happening here? Continue reading

Leather Scout Bag Review

Leather Scout Bag

                  LEATHER SCOUT BAG 

 

The Leather Scout bag form Clutch NY happens to be one of the smartest, best looking and practical leather tote handbags on the market.   And why do you think this is?   Read on a bit further and we will tell you all the great features of this fabulous leather handbag from the Clutch NY collection. Continue reading

NYC Street Style #7

NYC Street Style

                     NYC  STREET  STYLE

NYC street style has to be one of the most sought after styles of  fashion  in the world.  And yet, no one even thinks of NYC in these “branding” terms.  As a New York City Stylist for 20 years and a handbag designer for 15 years, I can decisively say that the fashion street inspiration you see in NYC  is definitely a sought after style of fashion around the globe.I have always stated that I have found the inspirations for the designs of the Clutch Bags NY handbag collection on the streets of New York City.

Continue reading