Kathy Dow Discovers

Evening wear, a night out on the town, or just being trendy by carrying the hot style of handbags; every lady carries a clutch purse at one time or another.  But there’s always one little nuisance:  holding it all night!

Gwen Dommie, a 20 year fashion designer for apparel corporations has updated the clutch handbag with bangle jewelry that allows ladies to be hands free.

Bangle Bag

Domnie designed the Original Banglebag clutch with  bangle bracelet  that connects through a loop on the clutch.  You just slip the bangle over your wrist and your hands are free for dancing, drinking or other maneuvers (like holding hands with your date!)

The clutch bags, made domestically in the tri state area, have an inside pocket and an outside  zip closing.  Bags are made of fabric, leather, cotton or silk.  The 3″ width bangle bracelets  are coordinated with the bags either by use of the same fabric or are dazzling wooden, acrylic, metal or copper designs.

The Original Banglebag, developed and launched in 2007 as a product of  Domnie’s New Jersey company, Accentuate Today, Inc. has recently been relaunched and is available online at her web site and in a few local stores.  From concept to the first show took only 6 months for the CEO who had already developed a line of home accent products including table runners, pillows, throws and sachets.

“It wasn’t difficult”, Gwen says,  “since I had experience I was used to the development of a product and I knew the process.”  She plans to expand her line to include business card holders, beaded key chains  and even small wallets to fit inside the Banglebag.

So what could be her biggest hope now that the Banglebag is relaunched and   ready for the big time?  There’s only one thing a majority of us small entrepreneurs who have created their own product want to do:  Be featured in O Magazine! “This is my year,” Domnie says.

Having met her in early May at the  Hoboken (NJ) Day Street Fair, I was totally impressed with her product and thought the bags were an innovative way to carry a clutch without carrying a clutch!  They are just big enough to hold your essentials while also having the ability to double as a makeup case.

Evening bag

Domnie continues to market her Banglebags at fine arts and designer craft shows and Cultural Fests but hopes to one day tackle the big trade show at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.  While that show will garner lots of looks, Gwen says buyers there don’t usually  buy from a new vendor, but notes that it would be a great opportunity for a “meet and greet.”

With today’s economy shoppers aren’t spending as much on clothing but are still very interested in the accessory market,  says Gwen who calls the Banglebag her “new passion.”  The bag goes from day to dinner, cocktails or evening and is a mini carryall for the lady out on the town.

Sales reaction to the Banglebag have boosted her confidence and she believes that she’s on the right track by giving ladies a bag they can wear that also gives them a great piece of jewelry at the same time.  “It’s great for shopping and partying,” she offered.

I personally can’t think of a better idea than having two accessories for the price of one plus being able to slip the chic Banglebag on my wrist, keeping my hands free.    The bag price point is between $25 to $65.  This would make a unique gift for the 2009 holiday season.

Purchase of an Original Banglebag can be made from Domnie’s web site and by  Subscribing to Kathy’s List you can get more information on how to get in touch with Gwen Dommie who welcomes wholesale accounts, trunk shows and custom work.