Category Archives: Accessories

Clutch Made: The New E-Factory

Who we are: Based in NYC, Clutch Made is a manufacturing and designer service platform for individuals and brands looking to source and produce in USA. We specialize in manufacturing and sourcing handbags and accessories.

Why we do it: Laura Dotolo, principal and creator of Clutch Made, has been dedicated to her business for years. She says, “My experience styling for clients like Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, In Style and a bevy of similar fashion magazines has taught me that sometimes the trends being depicted are not what consumers really want over time. By being able to shape the fashion trend of the moment in my styling career, I have learned how to help our clients tailor and develop products that have tremendous appeal in the marketplace. As a manufacturer myself of my own line of handbags, Clutch Bags I have learned the trade secrets in sourcing materials, designing products, and creating good profit margins. This has helped our clients return to us again and again with their manufacturing, design and product development needs. Made in USA pays!”

Made in the USA really does pay off. We find that manufacturing in the garment district, here in New York City, is much easier than overseas production. Not only does it eliminate high shipping costs, but it eliminates communication and delivery problems as well. At Clutch Made, we take care of our clients manufacturing, production, and even inventory. We are dedicated to help clients sell their products in the marketplace. It’s a modern concept that this country is falling behind on. Manufacturing in the USA is back and Clutch Made has made it revolutionary.

How we do it: Clutch Made is the modern e-factory. This new way of business and manufacturing is vital in todays digital world. No longer will it take you months and months to make one product. You won’t even have major communication problems. Clutch Made is available in various platforms in order to talk to you at any time. You can follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. You can also like our Facebook page and keep up with our daily posts. We are the factory that you can talk to without any hassles. You can reach us by email and telephone. It’s just that easy! Being able to contact our potential clients any time they need us is a very important factor in our business today.

Clutch Made is changing the face of manufacturing! We are always looking for trends in the market and new clients to work with. Resurfacing Made in the USA is just as important as our new way of manufacturing. Seems to good to be true? Contact us today and reveal the truth of e-manufacturing.

Tech Accessories that Will Blow Your Mind

Technology and Accessories are two worlds that are colliding and making the world a little more stylish for you. Tech accessories are far beyond boring and are innovating as ever! Imagine this: a cute gold bracelet with diamonds detailing the rim AND it tracks your sleeping patterns and calorie intake. Sweet deal, right? This trend is fascinating and affordable!

Here is the inside scoop of our top 4 tech accessories that will blow your mind:

Tory Burch x Fit Bit

Tory Burch teams up with Fitbit to reinvent a new way to wear a tech accessory without looking like you are. The Fitbit Flex tracks steps, distance and calories burned. Tory Burch for Fitbit Fret creates a double wrap bracelet in 5 neutral colors. It’s an exclusive collection that allows you to wear your fitbit from workout to happy hour. The leather detail is a perfect match for the gold/silver metal detailing.

Rebecca Minkoff x Casemate

Rebecca Minkoff teams up with casemate to make this lighting cable bracelet. Why would you need a lighting cable bracelet? If you are on the go with an iPhone that is always dying because let’s face it…you’re always on it, this bracelet should be on your wrist. It converts into a USB connector to charge and sync your iPhone. You can wear it with your everyday jewelry and take it off as soon as you need to charge your phone. The gold clasp is not only for style but it hides the USB connectors so that no one will be able to see it on the bracelet.

My Mira Fit

Have you always wanted to track your steps or calorie intake in a discreet way? The Mira Fitness bracelet and tracker combines style and privacy. It’s feminine and modern look makes it possible to wear to any setting including cocktail parties or weddings. This sweat resistant bracelet requires you to download their app to make it easier to track your daily activity. It tracks distance, elevation, steps, AND calories. Let Mira be your secret weapon to staying healthy.

Ringly

Okay so a tech ring sounds weird right? Well Ringly, proves us wrong with their “Daybreak” ring. Ringly connects to your phone via Bluetooth and lets you receive customized notifications through vibration! It also has a light on the side of the ring to let you know that your phone is blowing up and you should probably check it, Ms.Popular. The specific ring in the picture above is actually inspired by early mornings when the sun’s rays light up in the sky. How motivating is that? Never miss a beat on your phone, even when you’re in the zone at work.

Inspired by these cool tech accessories? Clutch Made is a manufacturing and sourcing factory that helps designers and brands from all over the world. We challenge you to make a tech accessory that you feel is not out in the market. Take charge and create opportunities for yourself today!

Handbags You Need for Coachella 2016

The most anticipated music festival, Coachella, is near! You almost have all your outfits planned out, but what’s missing? THE handbag! The handbag you need to not only carry essentials things but show off as a fashion statement. What’s it going to be this year? Get your festival look completed and check out five handbags you need for Coachella 2016.

Coin Bag

For a classic on the go clutch, try the coin bag! Clutch NY‘s coin bag is made out of leather and features a braided detail to perfect your festive look. It is offered in four different colors including white, black, espresso, and silver. The size makes it easy for you to throw in all your ID, lipstick, keys, and cash. You can also match it with classic white sneakers and look coach-hella good.

Belt Bag

What’s handsfree, cute, and convenient? A belt bag! Just strap it around your waist and let the bag do the rest. Clutch NY’s belt bag is perfect for your everyday festival look. It features two zip pockets and is made out of perforated leather. For your convenience, it has a credit card patch pocket and an adjustable belt strap. Rock the belt bag with a matching leather jacket and a choker necklace for a grunge look.

Box Bag

Still not tired of fringe? Fringe is a necessity for your festival look. Instead of the average suede or leather fringe, try beaded tassels. ASOS’ Festival Metal Box Bag With Beaded Tassels can be used as a clutch or over the shoulder. The contrast embellishment on gold makes it easy for this bag to stand out in a mass of original fringed bags. Shop the look and complete it with an off the shoulder dress for a boho vibe.

Cross Body Bag

Cross body bags are life savers; throw it across your shoulders and you are handsfree. If you are more of a keys, cards/cash, and phone kind of gal, Nasty Gal’s Common Ground Crossbody Pouch is for you. It’s small, made out of black vegan leather, and features three card slots. It’s also so easy to style! Wear it with a denim romper and some mules for an effortless look.

Pencil Bag

Do you need a bag with a little extra room for your makeup? Clutch NY’s pencil bag is perfect to throw in your go-to mascara, lipstick, foundation, and any other rescue tools you may need. It has two credit card patch pockets and comes in denim, suede, and silver lambskin. This clutch is great for the night shows you’ll go to! Complete the look with a crop top and high waisted ripped jeans.

Which bag is going to complete your Coachella festival look this year? Keep up with Clutch NY’s weekly blog posts all about the latest trends. And don’t forget, keep it clutch and go!

How to Make a Handbag in the USA: The Final Step

You have finally reached the final step of making a handbag in the USA. Congrats! Your hard work is just about to pay off. If you have been keeping up with our posts, this week we discuss the last and final step on How to Make a Handbag in the USA. Just to recap, here are the five steps before racing to the finish line:

AND FINALLY!

6. Website and Social Media Set Up (including tips for photography/styling)

Your handbag collection is perfected and ready to be shown through the digital world. The Clutch Made team has extensive experience in the media and styling world. We help you create beautiful product shots and videos for your brand. It is easy, affordable, and all the images you receive will be perfect for all your website and social media platforms.

Your Website: How are you going to get your product on the market place? Have you thought about creating a website? The Clutch Made team will work with you in acquiring a domain and building your own site. Websites are one of the best platforms to use in order to get your product on the market and seen by your biggest fans. We will not only design the website for you, but show you how you can then maintain the site on your own. We also supply all the tools necessary for your website to function. Our team will work with you on your bios, product descriptions, key branding search words and content writing that will get you found on the web. Here is an example of two websites we helped design for our clients, Linda Busch and Blk Blu NYC.

Social Media Set Up: Whats the next step after website set up? Clutch Made can help you create social media platforms that would work well for your brand and products. This includes acquiring all handles for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest and the strategies on how to maintain it consistently. Make sure to follow us on our social media platforms in order to have an idea of the great work we can do for you.

Styling and Photography: This is the fun part for the Clutch Made Team! Our professional NYC photographers are the best in business. Alongside Creative Director Laura Dotolo who has 20 years of styling expertise, the Clutch Made team creates beautiful product shots and video’s for your brand. Our service is affordable with one of the quickest turn- around times in the business. The images you receive will then be perfect for all your website and social media platforms.

Here is an example of a video we made for our client Aurelia Garza:

Working our photography magic!

Behind the scenes look for http://aureliagarza.com

One of the final shots!

Jewelry Trends of Spring 2016

It is officially time for BATTLE OF THE ACCESSORIES 2016! Spring is finally here which means that the trends will start to magically appear. Dazzling jewelry trends were spotted down runways and now it is time they are spotted on the streets. Now what accessories should you wear? Here are the battle of the top two accessories for spring 2016: Statement earrings VS Off the body chains.

Statement Earrings

Sometimes the only dramatic thing you need in your life is your earrings. Big round and disco-like earrings strutted down runway shows from Dior to Gucci. Other statement earrings resembled the tassel on a handbag trend, a large hula hoop, and funky reindeer antlers. This spring, earrings can stray away from being boring and classic. Have some fun and try the various shapes and sizes earrings come in this season. Will you be bold enough to try?

Off the Body Chains

Show off some skin this spring and let your jewelry talk for you. Calvin Klein and Alexander McQueen showed classic ways to wear this trend to a cocktail party or a glamorous event. How about off the runway and on the streets? Body chains are perfect for those nights you want to stand out in a mass of people at a club or even on the streets. As the weather gets warmer, you can also wear your body chain on the beach; just throw on a cover up and take a long walk along the shore. It is simple and versatile for any occasion. Are you ready to try it?

Now, both accessories are bold and glam, but only one can win in the battle of accessories. Which is it going to be? The winner is all about popular demand. So you decide! Will you wear statement earrings or body chains this spring? Let us know and stick around for more fun posts all about the latest and hottest trends!

CLUTCH NY

What’s In for Spring 2016

What’s in for spring? Minimalism! The minimalistic lifestyle is all about keeping your style clean and simple. If you are not one to wear bold colors in the spring, this trend is for you. Simplicity and accessories are finally colliding this season. The key is color, or the lack of. This spring stick to white. Why white? White does not only signify purity but it captures light, goodness, positivity, and clarity.

Following are the best white accent accessories to add to your wardrobe this spring. Check it out!

The OG’s of White Sneakers:

The white sneaker trend started in the fall and is sticking around to be the ultimate spring/summer 2016 shoe. It’s the perfect shoe for the minimalist! It is so easy to wear because it follows the athleisure trend. No doubt, they are also comfortable and stylish. Even celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Jessica Alba, and Gigi Hadid are rocking the streets with their white kicks. Shop the best sneakers at Vans, Converse, and Adidas.

The OG’s of White Handbags:

The Coinage: The coin bag is an on-the-go clutch bag that easily hangs off your wrist. It is convenient enough to run to the store with, take on the subway, or even take to the bar. It is made out of a classic white leather to last you all season.

2. The Lunch Bag: Now, do not get hungry! The lunch bag is classic fold-over clutch that resembles the classic brown lunch bag. It has easy access and folds nicely to accommodate a range of uses including travel, cosmetics, weddings or evenings out. It is also a must have simple accessory for your wardrobe.

3. Mail Bag: Inspired by our local mailman, the mail bag is the perfect spring accessory. If you are attracted to bigger handbags versus clutches, the mail bag is for you. It is oversized, roomy and, you can wear it over your shoulder or across your chest. Best of all, it is great as a day bag, weekend bag or travel bag. Whatever you are doing, the mail bag is perfect to look fabulous while on the go.

Oh and guess what? These handbags are ALL made in the USA. Check out Clutch Bags NY and shop these bags to add simple, clean accessories to your wardrobe this spring. We have no rules when it comes to white. All that we say is: White it and rock it.

Athleisure Accessory Trends 2016

Working out is not just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. Today, Americans are dominating healthy lifestyle choices in their activities, food, clothes, and best of all, accessories. Athleisure is the casual trend that supports loungewear into everyday clothing. Adding accessories to outfits allows you to go place to place without looking like you just exercised.

Here are the top 5 athleisure accessory trends to try for spring 2016:

Chic Hatter

Don’t feel like doing your hair? The solution: HATS. Hats are quickly becoming more and more popular on the streets and in the gym. For a more athletic appeal, try Nike’s dry fit running hats in vibrant colors such as fuchsia, teal, and white. For a more fashion-forward look, hats made of leather or suede can disguise the gym look and create a chic street appeal. You can find trendy leather and suede hats at retailers like ASOS and Nordstrom.

Golden Beats

Not all earphones are made equally. These gold earphones are the hottest accessories this spring. Stay golden while working out and jamming to your favorite song. Beats Solo2 Wireless Headphones are a great investment if you prefer wireless headphones. All you have to do is connect your phone via Bluetooth and your music will stream handsfree. If you are on a budget, you can find other gold headphones at Urban Outfitters and Nasty Gal.

Hands-Free

You’re running on a treadmill and your arms keep pulling down the wire that won’t stop swinging in front of you. Suddenly it unplugs and you’re left with no music! I don’t know about you but pausing to plug my earbuds back in is definitely a pet peeve. Don’t let a wire stop you from working out! Maybe that new trendy headphone you’ve been eyeing doesn’t come with a Bluetooth option. Check out these reviews to discover a highly rated Bluetooth headset that suits you best!

Not Your Average Gym Bags

We all know that gym bags can be plain and boring. Why not spice up the aesthetic this spring? Designers like Rebecca Minkoff are creating the most stylish gym bags convenient for your lifestyle. For New Yorkers and athletes, the subway bag is not only versatile and cute but it’s the most perfect size for your on-the-go style. You can go from work to tennis practice without the struggle of muddling through packed subway trains during rush hour.

Fanny Pack Love

Fanny packs are not going away anytime soon! This accessory is one of the best on the go handbags. Not only is it hands-free but it is perfect for those who like to carry light. You can grab your phone, chapstick, earphones, and cash and throw it into the bag. Also, do not forget that fanny packs can be fashionable in perforated leather and studs. Shop today at Clutch NY for the hip look.

Fit Bit and Rock It

Accessories can be made for running. The notorious Fit Bit Alta tracks the wearer’s activity including exercise AND sleep. The Fitbit will also have interchangeable bands that you can personalize and customize. You can wear it to work, to the gym, and even to a wedding. The possibilities are up to you!

Keep up with Clutch NY blog posts where more trend posts like this one will be released WEEKLY! This spring, you will capture the trends and easily become a fashionista.

How to Make a Handbag in the USA: Step 3

If you are following along with our posts on How to Make a Handbag in the USA, this week we discuss the third step on how to make your dream handbag, here in NYC. Do you know what materials you need, but unsure how to find it? Maybe you are not even sure of what materials you should use but would love to see options from the market place. At Clutch Made, sourcing is the fun part for our team. We are experts in sourcing and finding anything you need. Our sourcing powers make bags come true.

Here are some of the raw materials that we locate for your design:

Fabrics: Are you unsure which fabrics would be best for your handbag? We can help guide you! The cost of materials is important for the retail price of your bag. We will work with you to ensure your handbag has a great price for the market.
Suedes: Suedes are beautiful and great for interiors. Pig suede is especially known for it’s silky touch and beautiful appeal. Suede can get expensive because of the waste it can create. We will work with you to ensure an accurate weight to save money and still create the handbag of your dreams.
Leathers: Are you aware of consumption and waste? This is what happens when you work with leather. Leather can get very expensive because it has flaws (remember it is an animal) and because of this parts of the leather cannot be used. Clutch Made will work with you to find an accurate weight for your leather that works best for your handbag.
Vegan Leathers: Want to be more sustainable? Vegan leather has become a popular synthetic fabric that is just as luxurious as real leather. Stella McCartney is known to never use real leather or fur in her designs, so can you! Best of all, there is no worry about waste with vegan leather.
Materials (linings): Lining is an inner layer of fabric that will be inserted into your handbag. Linings provide a neat inside finish and the fabric used can feature fun prints like polka dots or a solid color. Clutch Made will work with you to source the best lining appropriate for your handbag.
Hardware: So what hardware are you thinking about? Dog clips? Rings? Hidden magnetics? How about the finish? Nickel? Brass? Gold? Would you like to add a zipper? What material would you like to use? Nylon? Big or small, you don’t want to waste money getting the wrong thing. Save yourself money and the stress! Our team will help you make all the right decisions based on the design of your handbag.
Labels/Hang Tags: Have you thought about your label? Would you want a hot stamp leather with your logo? Or do you want a simple, nice woven label with your logo? Our team will work with your artwork and have it sent to our vendors to ensure you get the label you want.

After we source the materials for your handbag, it is time for manufacturing. Keep following our posts to reveal the work and magic of manufacturing with Clutch Made, the factory you can talk to.

The Best Spring Statement Handbags

The Best Spring Statement Handbags

Clothes can speak for your personality but handbags speak louder. Spring 2016 is all about having a bag with a voice. New Yorkers have, once again, been hiding in their black wardrobes this winter. It is time to step out of your comfort zone and stand out among the rest. Check out these three statement handbags that you will be itching to wear to work, the grocery store, or even your 6pm pilates class.

1. Symbolism isn’t Just in Books

We all know the green light in The Great Gatsby didn’t mean “go”. Symbolism on your handbag is a great way to send a message. Instead of just believing in good energy, show it with the ying yang symbol. The ying yang is known to represent both masculine and feminine energy. It represents opposite energies that cannot exist without each other. The black curve, with its white dot, stands for femininity along with night, matter, and softness. The white curve represents the opposite: masculinity with day, spirit, and hardness. Black and white in general is dominating the trends this spring. It’s neutrality is great for your bag to stand out.

2. Talk that Talk

Canvas totes are one of the best “go-to” bags. While most can be plain and boring, there are so many fun totes that you can wear to really give your look a statement, literally! This Spring try buying a canvas bag that states your mantra or beliefs.

If you are a shopaholic (its okay to admit it sometimes), then maybe a tote that states “Shopping is cheaper than therapy”, is the tote for you. If you are a fashionista, one of the most humorous statements for your bag might be “I’m still saving up for my Birkin”“. Finally, you can try a tote that supports your lifestyle like, “I make Champagne Disappear. Whats your superpower?”

In the mode to get bold and state something political or take a stance? Our inspiration this spring is Speak It Tees and Totes who says: “Have you ever felt the need of saying something but didn’t know how to do it? We founded this company for that very reason. We felt that people needed a platform where they could find cool items to express themselves… SPEAK IT! Our accessories are made for the people by the people.” Check them out and make sure to speak it this spring with your sassy or symbolic handbag.

3. “OMG! Look at Her Bag!”

If you’re not a fan of tote bags, try looking for clutches like this one. Bags with expressions and fun shapes are one of the trendiest accessories for this spring. Just like the symbolism bags, there are other fun objects and food inspired items that can make for a great statement bag.

How about some popcorn with that?

Pop into the spring fever and get out of your comfort zone. Go from OMG to POW and support your favorite comic!

Make sure to keep up with our blog and stay on trend this spring!

-Clutch Bags NY

How to Make a Handbag in the USA: Step 2

Here comes the fun part of making a handbag. If you are keeping up with our posts, this week we discuss the second step on How to Make a Handbag in the USA. This step is all about conceptualization and design. When you reach this step we discuss your vision, who you are and what you are looking to design.

Your Vision: A vision is necessary for designers. Your vision could be what inspires you. What do you visualize when you think about your dream handbag? A great way to help you identify those key points is to create a vision board. A vision board helps you organize and conceptualize your wants and goals.

Your identity: After identifying your vision and what you would like to achieve, it is time to identify who you are as a brand or designer. Why is this important for design? We want to help you design for a tailored audience. Who are you making a handbag for? What sort of of image are you trying to perceive? A great example would be Clutch Bags NY. Clutch NY is a collection of handbags designed by creative director, Laura Dotolo. Clutch NY handbags have a classic, utilitarian style that reflect the heart of NYC. It is important to note that the main focus of a brand other than its product is its audience.

Your design: We want to make your vision come to life! The design process is the first step that will lead you to the sample of your handbag. Now would be the time to email or call us at 800.208.1840 and set up a design appointment so we can work with you to design that handbag. Maybe you need ideas for your handbag and are not sure what size, color or zipper it should have. Don’t worry! We are here to work with you during the entire design process. We will help you to formulate all your dimensions, details, hardware choices, functionality and materials for your product.

Stay tuned next week to learn how we help you with the next step of the process: Sourcing..or as we like to say, “the secrets of our sourcing powers.”