BWA chats to the amazing, inspiration talent behind Australian based handbag line Sterling & Hyde.Β
What inspired you to begin Sterling & Hyde?
I had always loved handbags and working as a professional women I could never find theΒ a colourful leather handbags which was functional enough to meet my busy needs, at aΒ price i could afford.Β Β So I started working on a few designs of my own.Β Then my partner Peter had a near fatal motorcycle accident where he actually died on the operatingΒ table a few times.Β With months in hospital and rehabilitation thereafter he has recovered.Β But that massive scare taught us both to live for the moment and pursue our dreams.Β For him that was to move out of the city and for me it was to start my own accessories brand where I could offerΒ women great handbags and accessories thatΒ they don’t just carry through the day, but which are fashionable and functional and which help them conquer their day!
Was it a shock moving from the fast paced life of the city to a quite seaside town? What did you learn from the experience?
I can’t say I have slowed my life down any more since I have moved to the coast.Β I have reset my priorities in life and are now pursuing my dreams.Β BeingΒ by the sea I must however say our customers are always relaxed and happy to chat to us about their stories and what brought them to us.Β I have learnt that internal happiness comes from doing what you are meant to do.
What inspires you creatively?
Ordinary everyday women who can pull off their “own” look!Β Β I think any woman can look good and when they know they have nailed it that day they are invincible!Β This is what inspires me and what I see everyday.
As a role model to ambitious young women, what is your advice to young entrepreneurs?
My mantra which I live by everyday is-Forget perfect and instead be authentic.
Really listen to your customers and if you continue to delight them you will succeed.
If you are planning to quit your job to pursue your passion, go for it butΒ make sure you can independently support yourself forΒ 12 months without drawing an income from the business.
Can you describe the aesthetic of Sterling & Hyde?
Our brandΒ aesthetic is one of colourful, functionalΒ handbags and accessories.Β Every woman has their own unique requirement of what they want and needΒ in a handbag.Β And they should, as we all carry them with us each day!Β So we try to cater for all these varied needs with our range, andΒ are now excited to allow women to also create their own one of a kindΒ leather handbags too if we don’t have a product in our range which suits them.
If you had to pick one key piece that sums up the label what would it be?
OurΒ Orange Bessie Tote.Β Our brand embraces bright colour (life is too dull without it!) and she is functional, fun and best of allΒ has some personality of her own π
The one thing that you can’t leave the house without?
MyΒ sunglasses.Β I had laser eye surgery a fewΒ years ago, and afterΒ 25 years with glasses it is so greatΒ to be able to wear fashionable frames as opposed to the daggy perscription coke bottle sunglasses I used to have to wear!
What can we expect from Sterling & Hyde in 2012?
A whole lot more.Β Currently our customers can create their own custom handbags in our Sorrento boutique, but in a few months they will also be able to create their own dream handbags online with our second online store soon to be launched..Β This is a first for Australian shoppers and we are so proud to be able to offer this to our loyal customers.Β We have also had our customers crying out for a boutique in Melbourne so we will be looking for possible sites for a new boutique in 2012 and most likely starting with a pop up shop somewhere fab.Β And lastly we will be looking to design some more fantastically functional handbags, already branching out with leather overnight bags, nappy bags, ipad bags etc which will add to our growing collection.
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Shop the collection now atΒ Sterling & Hyde.Β
46 Comments
Awesome
very inspirational
Always admired Sterling & Hyde stylish handbags. Great to know who’s behind it all.
Love the orange one in particular
Great interview and the bags are lovely!
love the bags !
what an inspiration
Great article! x
love the bag collection
Great interview!
great article
the handbags are gorgeous!
lusting hard over the bright orange tote!!
Absolutely gorgeous bags… must get me one of them!!
Hi Ladies thanks so much for your kind words and support. If I can follow my dreams you all can too!
just gorgeous
very classic look.
very lovely
great article
Love the handbags
Very interesting.
love the colours of the bags π
i really like the green one.
Great to hear from successful women!
“Forget perfect and instead be authentic”
love the emerald green bag
Nicee
Thanks for sharing the article!
Nice interview!
Gorgeous handbags
Love those bags…especially the green and orange oversized bags!
I love ‘forgetting to be perfect’ all the time!
Great interview and I love the handbags:-)
I love these interviews, I am more into shoe designers though π
Wow, she is so inspiring!
I would love to design handbags! And I love that green handbag (second pic)!!
Great xx
Great article, I follow Sterling & Hyde on FB and twitter, and own one of their lovely bags…. So nice to “see” you Amy…. π
I wish I owned one of their handbag!! Gorgeous!
Oh yes, they sure are! Mine is a tote bag in a pastel aqua co our and I just adore it! π
Hi fifi73! so glad you are loving your S&H bag. Nice to chat to you too
Same, nice to finally “see” you… π
lovely!
love the simplicity and classiness of the handbags
amazing article thank you
ditto π
sure is