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Fashion as a Work of Art
Marla Cielo offers one–of–a–kind purses
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When I ask Andrea Sanders, creator and designer of Marla Cielo ––a line of custom–made, stylish handbags—what her inspiration for the creation of her first piece was, she answers “I thought to myself, ’Why can’t art be everywhere?’”
Sanders, whose pastime passion for painting has turned into a full–scale handbag operation, is ardent and earnest when explaining the inception of her first bag. After a particularly gratifying session of painting, Sanders wanted to be able to share her art in a more accessible and unique way. So, instead of hanging her newly completed piece on a wall where few might see it, she turned the canvas itself into a tote. The response was inspiring. She received comments everywhere, being complimented on the subway and fielding questions about where she purchased the bag from her friends. That was the beginning of Marla Cielo.
The first canvas tote evolved into a line of stylish, innovative purses that is currently on sale at the Marla Cielo website (www.marlacielo.com). The bags (which double as either clutches or hip, funky side–bags with the addition of a chain strap), each incorporate canvas from an original Andrea Sanders work. The canvas itself (hand painted with a whimsical design packing pigmentary punch and design layers), is used as the opening of the purse flap and provides its wearer with a one–of–a–kind conversation starting accessory. Although each is different, some bags available incorporate Sanders’ own sing–songy script, telling graphically appealing and visually illusory stories. “The words are intentionally barely readable, serving as a design element rather than a literal narrative ,” Sanders explains. The stories, all written by the designer, incorporate the theme of the Marla Cielo brand.
As found on the official Marla Cielo website, the purse line comes with a mission statement,
“Marla Cielo embodies the fusion of creative passion and functional design. Our products transcend styles and stereotypes creating a universal appeal that makes the day to day more intriguing. Marla Cielo is a branded lifestyle of limitless creativity as every piece is unique and unpredictable.”
It is the kind of form/function dichotomy that defines the line––and its designer––to a tee. Each bag is functionally accessible as well as visually stunning. According to Sanders, Marla Cielo is targeted at, “hellip;the woman who wants something that no one else has, who is unique. The style itself was intended for modern, fashionable young women but the bags have appealed to every age and demographic.” The current line, economically accessible with a price point of $195–$470, is currently producing thirty to fifty new orders a month, but Sanders has plans for more. She is working on two more styles, a tote and a ’hobo’ work purse, to be completed soon—just in time for the line to branch into select NYC boutiques next summer.
To view or purchase more Marla Cielo designs, visit www.marlacielo.com.