Tag Archives: accessories made in NYC

Introducing BLK BLU NY

Working with a variety of talented innovators, Clutch Made has recently sat down with some of its collaborators to explore their inspirations and designs. This week we interviewed the creative team behind the leather-based brand, Lisa, Oksana, and Gregory.18512957_1329286823823684_6566141909020966912_n_900x

                          Company: BLK BLU NYC               Production: Made In NYC

 

Firstly, we must address your name. How and where did such a catchy innovative name come about?
Walking in New York’s lower east side, we noticed the sun was almost setting and we started talking about how beautiful the black shadows of the buildings were against the deep blue sky. It looked amazing and the name came naturally.

BlkBluNyc Collar and Hair Cuff

BlkBluNyc Collar and Hair Cuff

Drawing inspiration from the streets of New York, BLK BLU NYC has created designs with the idea of catering for creative individuals looking for luxury accessories with an edge.

Have you always known that accessories would be the main focus?
In a way. We all wanted to launch a fashion brand that could bring something different to the industry, accessories became the ideal category for us to do this.

blk_blu_nyc_men_s_black_pocket_square_1296x
Where would you like to see BLK BLU over the next couple of years?
Hopefully overseas with the likes of David Beckham to Gwen Stefani, Nicole Richie and Jared Leto wearing our designs.

BlkBluNyc accessories are available to shop today on clutch bags.com

BlkBluNyc accessories are available to shop today on clutchbags.com

What accessories will you be rocking this summer?                                                                   From our own collection, Oksana favorite piece’s the hair cuff. The Belt Bag is a staple in Lisa’s wardrobe and Gregory is holding out for the men’s scarf in our upcoming collection. Our go-to accessory would also have to be our nude leather choker, which works like a scarf or a choker.

blk_blu_nyc_black_leather_headband_1296xHow is it for the three of you to work together?
So far so good!! We all have different strengths that dictate our roles within the business.

Do you have any advice for future designers out there?
Be fashion inspired, not trend driven.

BLK and BLU NYC accessories are available to shop on our website www.clutchbags.com, now.

Clutch Made: The New E-Factory

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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. 

 

The USA Factory You Can Talk To

The USA Factory You Can Talk To

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Say goodbye to “Made in China” because “Made in the USA” is IT. Overseas manufacturing has always created communication problems. American Made products eliminate the inferior quality, high shipping costs, miscommunication and delivery time problems associated with far east production. So, how CAN you start manufacturing in the USA? Move over Captain America, Clutch Made is your new superhero. 

Who? Clutch Made is a modern e-factory that provides design and manufacturing services to small businesses and brands looking to source and produce in the USA. We specialize in sourcing the materials needed for us to manufacture  your handbags and accessories. The Clutch Made team works through every detail of our client’s product from the idea to the actual tangible sample and ensures the best service and highest quality of expertise. We are located in NYC with our factory in the heart of the garment district. We believe that COMMUNICATION is the key ingredient in modern manufacturing today. Clutch Made is the factory that you can easily talk to without hassle or any type of language barrier. 

Clutch Made's Mantra

Clutch Made’s Motto

How? The Clutch Made Team’s mission is to have open communication so we can make your products a reality. 

Here are 5 simple ways to talk to Clutch Made today:

  1. Our Website: On our website, Clutch Made, we offer a contact form that you can submit to us. It is one of the easiest and fastest ways to get in touch with us. When you submit your request, we promise to get back to you as soon as we can. We ensure quick response no longer than 48 hours after your submission. This is the best place to review all the services beyond sample and production at our factory. 
  2. Follow Us on Social Media: What? A factory that uses social media? Yes, Clutch Made stays active and current on all of our social media platforms. Check us out and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Message us on any of these platforms and we will be happy to contact you. 
  3. Email Us: Unsure about our services or your ideas? Email us directly at team@clutchmade.com with any questions and concerns that you may have. Our team communicates efficiently in and out of the office to ensure great communication standards. 
  4. Call Us: The easiest way to reach us is by phone. Contact us at 1.800.208.1840 and if we accidentally miss your call, just leave us a voice mail with your name, phone number, and reason for calling. We will call you back in less than 24 hours. 
  5. Find us on Maker’s Row: Maker’s Row is a platform that we use to connect with small businesses and brands interested in our manufacturing services. Make sure to check out our profile and the services that we provide including sourcing and manufacturing in the USA. 

Clutch Made is the USA factory that you can talk to; it’s that simple and it’s that easy. We are making the factory and manufacturing experience extremely accessible for you to do business. We truly believe that communication is the most important aspect of the process and promise to always be available at your convenience. We understand the challenges you face and we’ll work to rescue you from overseas production that delays communication. Contact us today and let us show you how easy it is to talk to a modern factory. 

How to Make a Handbag in the USA: Step 3

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:

  1. 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. IMG_4912
  2. 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. Screen Shot 2016-03-08 at 12.15.29 PM
  3. 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. Screen Shot 2016-03-08 at 12.15.44 PM
  4. 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. Screen Shot 2016-03-08 at 3.14.47 PM
  5. 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.Screen Shot 2016-03-08 at 2.53.44 PM
  6. 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. Screen Shot 2016-03-08 at 1.18.04 PM
  7. 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. 2015-04-13 14.39.44

 

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.

 

Accessories Rule!

A new fashion season means a sea of new trends. With the increment of the number of fashion shows and locations that took place during fashion week, we all are confused and lost in the endless maze of the fashion industry.

Taken from Clueless (film)

Clueless (film)

After reaching a point of saturation and frustration, the past two seasons made a lot of firm fashion followers turn to a different direction. Unbothered by the current trends, people started following THEIR OWN INSTICNTS AND PRINCIPLES. This is turning out to be one of the biggest revolutions in the fashion industry, birthing a new breed of individuals who genuinely reflect their own style and take on fashion.

This new breed has definitely come to the biggest realization that accessories have taken over the apparel industry. With some of the trendiest fashion bloggers like Chiara Ferragani blogging more about her favorite sunglasses versus her favorite dresses, she is confirming the strongest and most convincing message: ACCESSORIES ARE THE NEW IT THING!

The luxury market as well is leaping to a massive shift in the concentration of accessories in comparison to apparel, the biggest proof coming from luxury brands like Chanel, Moschino, Stella McCartney and Celine. In the last twenty years, accessories were an extra addition or sidekick to ready-to-wear. Whereas now, people dress according to their accessories; the consumer’s ready-to-wear has become the canvas of style on which one can paint or draw something new every day with your interchangeable, diverse and stylish accessories.

Céline Fashion Week Fall 2015

There will always be that statement little black dress from Chanel or Yves Saint Laurent, but there are also 30 other statement accessories that are way more versatile with the same figures on the price tag.

Fashion Week Fall 2015: Prada Broach

Quit buying new clothes for different occasions; learn how to style the clothes differently with a new selection of accessories. Let accessories be the statement to your wardrobing style and watch to see how many more compliments you fetch!

And while you’re at it, add this one to your list of must-have accessories made right here in New York City: BLK BLU NYC!