Article: Designer purse strings: handbag entrepreneurs develop a following with retro look.(Up Front)

Why purses?

It seems a simple enough question for hip Costa Mesa handbag and shoe designers Mia Manyer and Jennifer Perkins.

Manyer struggles to find the right words.

She picks up one of their purses, The Deluxe. The sleek bag is made with teal green vinyl, the same material used in 1950s cars and diner booths. It has four chrome bullet feet, like the ones found on old hot rod license plate holders. It's lined with a shimmery, silver vintage fabric.

"This is why," she said, showing off the bag. "It's the closest I'll ever come to being an artist. I can't paint. But to me, this is my paint and brush."

Each handbag--there are 14 styles--tells its own story ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!