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.

Nelson Mandela Freedom

Nelson Mandela Freedom

 

                              Nelson Mandela Freedom

 

There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.  Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela freedom are two words that seem to be synonymous.  What more can I say?  They are actually not even two words anymore, but a way to describe a certain movement in freedom.   The world was a sad place last week when we lost a great icon.  As the press kept touting, South Africa is not sad that he has finally passed, as this was expected due to his illness, but sad that a legacy to this lifetime and world would now be gone for ever.  So what does this mean to the average person?  How does the Nelson Mandela freedom and his legacy affect our everyday lives? Continue reading →

Holiday Gift Ideas for Her

 

The Feed Bag from clutch Bags NY

The Feed Bag is a great holiday gift idea

                                                                                               Holiday Gift Ideas for Her

It’s that time of year again when everyone will be inevitably sourcing the perfect holiday gift ideas for friends and family.  So, we here at Clutch Bags NY thought it might be a good idea to  give you a profile of a couple of our best selling leather handbags and clutch bags.  We thought it might make it easier to pair the bag with the personality of the person you are shopping for this season.  We chose four of our top sellers to tell you about.  We are hoping some of our male audience is paying attention to this blog…it will sure give you guys some helpful hints for shopping. Continue reading →

Clutch Bags Holiday Calendar

 

Tree Lighting Rockefeller Center

Tree Lighting Rockefeller Center

     Welcome to December everyone!

With Thanksgiving only a few days old, we are now into the month of merry.   In New York City, that means a busy calendar month of holiday activities and festivities.  Clutch Bags NY would like to share with you some of our favorite December activities in this fabulous city.
First up on the schedule is the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center.  This always comes up faster than you would think.  It happens this coming Wednesday, December 4th.  I have heard the 70-foot Norway spruce from Connecticut will have 45,000 LED lights.  The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. and the lighting takes place at 8:55 p.m.  So get your hot chocolate and head to midtown to check it out the lights. Continue reading →

Clutch Bags NY Gives Thanks!!

Macy's Day Parade                                                         Macy’s  Day Parade

 

As the end of November approaches, so does that very palette pleasing last Thursday of the month we all  know of as Thanksgiving.  As it draws near, it is again time for us to reflect on the meaning of the holiday.  At Clutch Bags NY we feel that  gratitude, appreciation and thanks are in order as well.

When living in NYC, one can easily forget what there is to be thankful for.  Let’s be honest here. As a New Yorker living in the city, the smelly streets, cramped subway cars, and overpriced apartments can become annoyingly overwhelming most of the time which can make it difficult to appreciate.  The big city lights do not excite a New Yorker like they might excite the city’s tourists; which at times leaves the tourists standing still on a corner that happens to completely block  your path.  This over-populated, highly vibrant, and constantly moving city can feel like a big drag sometimes.  However, we have to keep  reminding ourselves why we live here by asking, “why is it that  people want to visit  THIS city?”  Continue reading →

Clutch Bags Accessories

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Ginnefer Goodwin, Miley Cyrus, Reese witherspoon, Slena Gomez and Ashley Tisdale all styling the perfect Slouchy Beanie that compliments all Clutch Bags

Ginnifer Goodwin, Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, Selena Gomez and Ashley Tisdale all styling the perfect Slouchy Beanie that compliments all Clutch Bags

  If you are one of the many women trying to keep it clutch with accessories this fall but don’t know exactly how to go about it, I’ve got the perfect accessories to spruce up your wardrobe so you can bring your style to the streets.  I’ve picked out my favorite fall items to share with with you all!  And of course, they all compliment each other, delivering you the perfect Clutch Bags New York look!   Continue reading →

Clutch Bags Fall Out

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It's getting cold outside!

It’s getting cold outside on the Battery near 1 World Trade

 

As a native New Yorker, I have experienced my fair share of seasons in this fantastic city of ours.  Admittedly,  I do resist change, especially when out of nowhere, the blistering heat is over ridden by insufferably gelid conditions.  However, the game changer for this temperature change are  the  many  activities that are available in the city during the seasons where I don’t necessarily want to be out and about!  Although it is becoming colder, that never stops a true New Yorker from seeking an adventure. I also find that being a  New Yorker comes with its share of  responsibilities, one of which is to show those living in small towns that there is more to do in our city during the cold season than just going to the movies.  Not to worry my fellow homebodies, I’ve got just the activities that will get you outside; even when it feels like it is too cold for comfort. Continue reading →

Lou Reed: A Clutch Bags New York Neighbor

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Lou and Laurie Love

Lou and Laurie Love

 

As I was building my Clutch Bags business I first experienced Lou Reed on a very personal level, as you do most memorable moments  in NYC, when I least expected to.  It was about 10 years ago, and I was shooting in a photographer’s studio in Soho, when in walked this guy wearing a leather jacket to say hello to his good friend, the photographer I happen to be working with that day.  Continue reading →

“It’s not quantity, it’s quality” Clutch bags

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Screen Shot 2013-10-06 at 3.32.14 PM
The idea of quality over quantity has been around for as long as anyone can remember, but it has yet to penetrate the minds of many people. As you may or may not have noticed, this idea has started getting through to a few American companies–Clutch Bags NY being one of them. Right now, we find ourselves in a time where commercial pride is being brought back to the States in an effort to ensure the quality of a well-made product. This is called the Made in USA Movement. Streaming from this action, we have seen the rise of different companies who are dedicated to keeping American products made in America. Continue reading →

Fall into October with Clutch Bags

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Congratulations! You’ve almost made it through the first month of your return to reality.  Yes, those afternoons of lounging on a beach chair with sand between your toes seem long gone, but turn that frown upside down! The month of October is jam packed with autumn activities that will make you feel like the sun shines on you, even in the fog of fall.

Here are four events that we at Clutch Bags NY suggest you should not miss if you’re in New York City in October: Continue reading →

That Clutch Bags time of year…

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Central Park during the Fall! So pretty!

Central Park during the Fall! So pretty!

It’s that time of year again and you either love it or you hate it. The start of September means a lot of different things for different people. It could be the inevitable end of a great Summer, the anticipated arrival of a calm Fall, or the stress or excitement of going back to school or work. Whatever it is, we’re all going through it and there’s no need to be glum about it!

Yup, the degrees are steadily decreasing and what was once a cool Summer breeze is starting to feel a little biting. But before we start muttering curses against Winter, let’s take some time to appreciate Fall: the season of cosy comforts and warm colors. Though the weather isn’t something to rejoice about, Autumn fashion sure is! Continue reading →