Let’s face it ladies, we love those super trendy, over-sized, clunky bags for the daytime. But when the sun goes down and it’s time to party, we quickly throw them aside for a smaller sleeker handbag. Mixing vintage fabrics with fresh classic designs, local handbag designer Allison Abney makes adorably stylish clutches that can take you from a night out with your girlfriends to a formal event. Here’s the scoop on how Allison Abney Handbags came to be and where she plans to go from here.

Q: What is your background?

A: I graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts and Arts Management. I’ve always been into creative arts like photography, sculpture, and fashion design. Growing up my Mom made all of my dresses (prom, debutante, etc.). So, I grew up around the sewing machine and tagged along to the fabric stores with my Mom on weekends. My Mom really knows how to make a pattern and see it through to completion. Now my Mom and I work together. I design and my Mom sews the first design and then shows me how.

Q: Have you always wanted to design handbags?

A: Not really. I really just fell into it. One time I needed an evening clutch for a wedding and couldn’t find what I wanted, so I made one. Then it just went from there.

Q: You’ve (as I read on your website) been designing since 2003. Has your design style changed in the past five years?

A: A little in that now that I’ve gotten older I’m looking to design a classic handbag that will have staying power for years to come. I love to incorporate vintage styles. Right now I’m using a lot of Japanese Obis (sashes or belts worn with traditional Japanese Kimonos, mostly made out of vibrant colored, themed (birds, flowers, etc.), brocade fabric) for fabric. Out of one Obi you can make three to four bags. Like I said, I love recycling materials and creating something new, modern, and fresh.

Q: Who or what is your inspiration for handbag design?

A: Old Hollywood…Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn.

My goal is to design for the chic modern woman. A woman of any age…Someone who has a busy social calendar and who can carry the same bag with jeans and a cute shirt as well as an evening gown in the same weekend. Classic style modernized for today’s woman.

Q: You design primarily clutches. Now that you’re a new mom (Congrats Allison!) and may have the need for a larger bag, have you ever thought about designing a larger bag?

A: Yes! I’m currently ordering leather samples and plan to give it a shot in the fall.

Q: Where can we purchase Allison Abney handbags aside from on your website (www.allisonabney.com)?

A: Maddison Row on Hasell Street downtown and Vieuxtemps on King Street.

Q: What are your other interests aside from handbag design?

A: Interior design, textiles and architecture, modern art (modern painting).

The focus of each Allison Abney bag is color and texture. She uses luxurious materials like brocade silks and vibrant silk satins, vintage Japanese Obis, and other unique fabrics. Allison particularly loves idea of designing evening bags because they’re small, compact sculptural pieces. To check out more of Allison’s designs visit www.allisonabney.com.