Hometown Heroes: Allison Burns

A wild child from the 70s inspires a fan following in the muses that helped create the very bags they covet.

Wine and cheese. Chocolate and peanut butter. Women and shoes. Some of the greatest partnerships in history come down to the simple concept of two great tastes that taste great together, which is why designer Allison Burns infused a rock n' roll sensibility into her sumptuous and fashionable bags.

"I've been in the fashion business since I was a teenager," Burns says. "I've had a deep connection with fashion and music for as long as I can remember."

That connection started in her native New York, where Burns learned to sew at age 11 before transferring cross-country to California, then back to New York as an adult. She lived the city's raucous music scene, which helped develop her signature style that would later inspire her creations.

Landing in California once more, Burns became one of Hollywood's top make-up artists, working with the likes of Nicole Ritchie, Kelly Osbourne, Nancy Sinatra, Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart, and Cyndi Lauper. But while painting faces was paying the bills, Burns was making clothing and accessories on the side... until Jillian Barberie convinced her to produce her own collection.

"My Inspiration comes mostly from rock stars and Icons of the present and past," Burns notes. "Honestly, I don't aim to target anyone in particular. Maybe that's why my fan base has such an extreme age range."

A reasonable statement, considering the vastness of her celebrity following. For every Lindsay Lohan there's a Debbie Harry, while the Kelly Osbournes and Nicole Ritchies of the world are balanced out by Virginia Madsen, Cate Blanchett and Julianne Moore, just to name a few. But what put Burns' cult-like following over the top was when Cameron Diaz carried the gold "Faithfull" bag – a bag Burns still counts as her top seller, despite her collections being sold in more than 400 boutiques throughout the U.S. and Japan.

But don't think success has gone to her head – Burns still hand picks the leathers, zippers and hot pink lining of every bag, and is still intent on expanding her line with new and inventive works of art. Last spring she collaborated with jewelry designer Michael Schmidt and launched a Deluxe Collection of handbags and shoes featuring gold-plated, studded pyramids and collectable charms including razor blades, safety pins, flowers and skulls for that extra rock n' roll flare.

Although she's sentimental enough to bring back past designs – such as her first best seller The Nancy, named after Nancy Sinatra – Burns has reached a comfort level as a designer that has afforded her the freedom to create without the trappings of feeling she has to please everyone.

"The biggest challenge I face in creating my lines is not being too affected by what everyone else is doing," Burns says. "I love simplicity, but now in a more upscale way. Still, I can't choose something I make for anyone else. The reason my line sells so well is because there is something for everyone... and individuality is what makes this world so beautiful."

For online shopping or store locations, visit www.allisonburns.com.