Annie Diamantidis specializes in Luxury Handbags and Accessories. Her beautiful handbags are handcrafted from a collection of leather and exotic stingray, crocodile, python, and ostrich skin. She’s been in business since 2009, but that’s not how she got her start. “At a young age I was curious and creative. I would take apart my mom’s old fur shawls and make a clutch. Or I would take the heart shaped bowl from the kitchen table and trace it onto a piece of fabric and make a pillow,” says the talented designer. She was a student majoring in Public Relations at DePaul University when she came across an internship opportunity for a local jewelry designer. That’s when her passion started to make its way into a full time job. She applied for and landed the internship, which later turned into a job. She worked for Lana Jewelry for three years and was part of the brand development team for a luxury candle. She also handled sales within the Midwest region.
In 2007, she knew that she wanted to start her own line of luxury accessories, so she took a few years off to research and travel. That is how Annie Handbags and Accessories was created.
Annie explains that the inspiration for her handbags comes from her Greek roots. “I found inspiration from Greek Goddesses and what they represent. My Athena clutch is a classic design which was inspired and named after the Goddess of wisdom Athena. My Nyx clutch was named after the goddess of the night. All my handbags and accessories have a meaning and a story.”
Annie Handbags and Accessories are for women who want a quality handbag. Her designs have been purchased by women of all ages. Her “Helius” shoulder bag has been purchased by twenty and sixty year olds. Small accessories range from $50 to $200 and handbags start from $280 to $2,500.
What makes Annie Handbags and Accessories unique is that they are limited edition or made to order. “We cater to women who want a high quality handbag that's handcrafted from either limited leather or hand painted exotic skin,” says Annie. Annie Handbags was featured throughout the last season of the hit show Gossip Girl and Annie Diamantidis herself made a guest appearance as the “handbag expert” on the hit reality show Hardcore Pawn Chicago.
Looking into the future Annie has some big and exciting goals. “I have so many things I want to incorporate into my brand from shoes to furniture. Nothing is off limits!” she boasts. Her advice for aspiring designers? “Follow your heart and work hard.”
Annie Handbags and Accessories can be found in about 20 luxury boutiques nationwide and online at www.anniebags.com