Tag Archives: nyc

Why NYC is the Best Place for Inspiration

Why NYC is the Best Place for Inspiration 

Clutch Bags NY is a collection designed by creative director, Laura Dotolo. Clutch Bags have a classic, utilitarian style that reflect the heart of NYC. New York City is our #1 source for inspiration! It’s the city where EVERYTHING happens and no one ever sleeps. It’s lively vibe captures the essence of our brand and our customers. Inspiration can be found almost anywhere in NYC; from the food to the architecture. Do you have a collection or brand and need a new muse? 

Here are our top 6 reasons why NYC is the best place for inspiration: 

Street Stylin’

ALL STYLE

Hello Upper East Siders, Lower West Siders,  and Brooklynites! No matter where a fashionista resides, she is on the streets looking fabulous as ever. Street style is fascinating in the city where fashion strives. The fashion capital oozes of innovation, trends, and impeccable taste. The typical on the go fashionista never forgets her heels, shades, or handbag wherever she goes. She is also always ready for the next event and photo op. Street style is NYC’s specialty and every outfit on the scene never disappoints. 

Foodies Unite

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If the talk is not about fashion in New York, it’s about food. NYC has over a thousand restaurants, cafes, and diners. You can also escape a crowd with street vendor food. The possibilities are endless and the food is spectacular. In NYC, Wednesdays are for Brooklyn’s rainbow bagel, while Sundays are strictly for brunch. You can eat an authentic ramen soup or be more daring and try a ramen burger. The creativity is unimaginable in this city and the passion lies in the pure ingredients used to make a food lovers dreams come true. 

Architectural Digest

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Architecture surrounds New York City. It’s as innovating as the fashion and the food. The Flat Iron building is known for its unique shape, while apartment buildings are known for their incredible classic stairs. There are also NYC “statement” buildings like the iconic Empire State that stands tall in the day and lights up in the night. Buildings are white, black, gold, and sometimes even made out of glass. NYC’s futuristic appeal makes it hard to not get inspired. It inspires structure and color for any product that you may want to include in your next collection. 

Street Art Love

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Art in itself is a natural inspiration. Art on the streets creates fascination. Every corner of the city lies a picture that screams a thousand words. Artists rely heavily on the city for inspiration and create beautiful works that can make your jaw drop. There is the love wall full of color and there is a wall of a dancer almost leaping out of the art. The talent is shown to inspire everyday people and motivate creation. Everyone has a gift to create, so take the time to think of how you will achieve that goal. Clutch NY takes prides in handbag craftsmanship and art helps our team constantly innovate our products. 

Interior Genius’

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Interior design is important for any setting. NYC exceeds all expectations and expands creativity. Interior decor in cafes, restaurants, and markets are executed beautifully. Whether it is lights or cool free standing structures, NYC knows how to brighten up a room. Just like architecture, interior decor can inspire structure and aesthetics. If you want a muse for your visual merchandising, interior decor and design is your answer. Let the decor speak to your brand and capture the voice that you create through your products. 

Nature’s Parks

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Last but not least, the most powerful influence in NYC and the world is nature herself. New York City has America’s most beautiful parks. Central park is iconic with its beautiful garden and fountain. The High Line park is beautiful and one of the most innovating places to visit. We can’t forget Washington Square Park that welcomes you with arches and a big, open fountain. You can also walk past Bryant Park which has a beautiful view in the city at night and an event space big enough to enjoy a yoga class. Nature will always be inspiring! It’s calm nature let’s us escape from the chaos the city can bring. It is a concert jungle after all. 

No matter what product or brand you are, inspiration is needed for motivation. Inspiration in NYC is the source of Clutch NY’s passion as well the women who live there. Never forget who your brand is and who you are making your products for. Now follow Frank Sinatra’s lead and “start spreading the news…I am leaving today. I want to be a part of it. New York, New York”

 

 

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 websiteClutch 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. 

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

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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 Talkdfb46688d0a2adeeb8ba0792d26c8d2c

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?”

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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!” 

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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?

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

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

-Clutch Bags NY

 

 

New York City Style: #4

 

New York City Street Style #4

                   New York City Style

 

New York City 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 conclusively say that the fashion street inspiration you see in NYC  is definitely a sought after style of fashion around the globe. Continue reading

Clutch Bags Fall Out

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

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

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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

A Clutch Bags Story: Retail’s new tale to tell

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“STORY is a space that has the point of view of a magazine, but changes like a gallery and sells things like a store. Come here in February, then come here in May–you’d think it’s two different stores. We’re using retail as an opportunity to tell stories, but also to create a sense of community and entertainment.”

blue2-300x225Story is a special kind of retail space that can be found in Chelsea, NYC. It was founded in December 2011 by marketing consultant, Rachel Shechtman. Every one to two months, the store changes dramatically! From it’s wall colors, interior decor, and merchandise. All in the name of reflecting the store’s new theme. Continue reading

Clutch Bags Review: The Feed Bag

Screen shot 2013-07-07 at 9.57.12 PM“Hi, Nandhi, I’ve got a package here for you,” my doorman, Frank, told me as I walked into the lobby of my apartment building. This was weird, I wasn’t expecting anything. I hadn’t done online shopping for about a month and my friends just aren’t the type to mail me presents.

I raised an eyebrow as I asked Frank who it was from.

“Well, it says it’s from a Miss Laura Dotolo?” Continue reading

Clutch Bags: Handbags of Summer

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“I love accessories. I’m a girl. I love handbags.” -Petra Ecclestone

 

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Summertime in NYC

It’s official: Summer is finally in bloom! But the temperature isn’t the only thing that’s up! For the passed week and a half I have found myself running around, all over NYC. Though my errands take me to different parts of the city, at different times of day, I have been noticing some consistent trends.

The  most consistent trend I have noticed is the use of the Scout Bag from Clutch Bags.  I have seen this spacious satchel on the shoulders of women uptown, downtown, east and west. Because this handbag seemed so popular on the streets of NYC, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. So I decided to bring my Clutch Bags NY leather satchel along with me on one of my day of errands. I packed it with the usual suspects: IPod, keys, phone, and wallet. And I was off. Continue reading