Join the Junior Drake Bag Revolution

It's time to make room in your closet for a new bag obsession ... and one that will quickly become your favorite.

Admit it -- you're hooked on handbags. You try -- and fail -- to keep it down to one or two bags tops, but a peek inside your closet reveals you have an "everyday" bag, a "going out" bag, a "business" bag, a "travel" bag, a "kitchen sink" bag ... and there's no end in sight. Now you have another designer to add to your handbag repertoire -- Junior Drake.

So what kind of girl carries a Junior Drake handbag? Let their Director of Design, Alyssa Johnson, explain: "Our tag line is, 'Remember! It's not the bag, it's the girl!' This sentence defines our customer quite well. The woman who carries Junior Drake is confident, sophisticated, and fashion-forward! She has a lot going on in her life, and carries her favorite Junior Drake bag wherever she goes."

And it's easy to see why. With buttery soft leather, shifting shapes and a cornucopia of colors to choose from, Junior Drake's bags have been flying off the shelves.

"Several of our customers -- as well as our competitors! -- have told us that we have the softest, most lightweight bags," Johnson explains. "Another advantage is that we are able to provide a high quality product at a lower price than the rest of our competition. The most expensive bag in our Spring 2007 line is large in size, and retails for around $500. Similar bags designed by our competitors usually retail for around $800 and up."

Another thing that sets Junior Drake apart from the others? Sentimentality. The company was named after the founder's mother, Patsy Brown, whose stage name was "Junior Drake." Her legacy lives on in the lining of every handbag -- Patsy's picture is printed on the silk, giving the bags a signature touch that both honors an amazing woman and creates a connection for the customer and the bag they choose to carry.

Johnson's path with Junior Drake started five years ago, when bags were all about bling. She notes they have trend-driven novelty collections every season, but the company's focus is on more subdued, every day styles. But Johnson's interest in design began long before her tenure with Junior Drake, dating back to pictures she drew of schoolmates that paid particular attention to their clothing. By age 10 she was sewing doll clothes, at 17 she was making reversible handbags for friends and family, and after receiving a B.F.A. in Fashion Design, Johnson became an Assistant Handbag Designer, making her mark in the accessories industry ever since.

Though it may seem confusing at times to tell the difference in seasons when it comes to handbags, Johnson says it's pretty simple to figure out the difference, even though the times -- and rules -- are changing.

"Color is really important," Johnson notes. "For years, many consumers have had a 'Don't wear white after labor day' mentality, so Spring/Summer bags have been lighter or brighter in color, while Fall/Winter bags have been darker. However, consumers are starting to change. We're seeing a lot of color in stores this Spring, as well as on Fall '07 runways, so it's a great time to buy and wear colorful accessories."

The key to transitioning your accessories? Wearing a color that goes with everything -- not necessarily black or white, Johnson cautions, but neutral enough that it will blend with your wardrobe. Junior Drake's spring line was inspired by subtle, hand-crafted details found at flea markets and thrift stores, most notably apparent in the Katherine bag -- medium in size, but long on class and style. But pressed as to what Junior Drake creation everyone should be carrying this spring, and Johnson outs the Claudine for its unique and versatile shape.

But the company's ultimate creation lies with their Jo hobo, which has been a best seller time and time again.

"Our customers appreciate the intricate, handcrafted details, as well as the organic, wearable shape," Johnson says. "It has a lot of handcrafted details, yet they are subtle enough that the bag can be worn on a daily basis."

Start making room in your closet, ladies -- you're going to need it.

For more information on Junior Drake handbags, including a store locator, visit them online at www.juniordrake.com.