Catherine Meyer's line, FOLLIS catches our eye with impeccable and pragmatic bags
We first laid eyes on FOLLIS by Catherine Meyer on June 16, 2010 at the 4th Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards. Honored with the “Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design,” Meyer’s “Laced Julia” became the next “it” bag overnight.
The designer, a Midwest-gone-Manhattan girl, attended FIT before joining a boutique clothing line. Content with her work and her enviable closet, Meyer’s goals were far from handbags; until she saw a missing piece. This, of course, was the perfect everyday handbag. Frustrated by the flashy, impractical selection on the market, Meyer felt compelled to create her own.
The Claudia bag in denim and leather and Venus belt
The result debuted in the spring of 2009 as FOLLIS, a collection of impeccable, down-to-earth handbags. While Meyer set out to create a collection based on her own standards, she inadvertently met ours.
The Laced Julia Bag and the Aurora Bag
QUALITY Motivated by a vision of the “perfect handbag,” Meyer focused each hand-crafted bag on a blend of high quality and high style. Named in honor of the Latin term for “leather bag,” follis, Meyer hints at her inspiration: leather itself. With recognition of its unmatched value, FOLLIS bags are crafted in New York City under Meyer’s own watch.
UTILITY One of the most critical elements of FOLLIS’ existence is the clearly-stated pledge for a bag “full of function.” Meyer sums it up with her motto: “[To] take a girl from day-to-night, West Coast-to-East Coast, and everything in between.”
EXCLUSIVITY Until June 2010, FOLLIS remained unknown. One boutique owner describes her introduction to FOLLIS with the memory of Meyer walking straight to her, pitching her line, and eventually even delivering the bags herself. Since winning the award for “Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design,” Meyer won’t be making her own pitches anymore; her line will be in Saks Fifth Avenue this Fall. In addition, she’ll be designing a limited edition bag with the queen-of-the-classics herself, Kate Spade. With an exclusive bag and rapidly-growing demand, it looks like the current price range, $87.50 to $387.50, will see a significant increase in the months to come.
Aurora in Raspberry embossed croc and gold faux stingray
DURABILITY Crafted with a back-to-basics use of leather, FOLLIS bags are as sturdy as they are stylish. Borrowing Meyer’s words, bags go from day-to-night,, West Coast-to-East Coast, and year-to-year, Remove the glitz-and-glamour and what remains is a simple, unadorned leather structure. Perfecting each bag’s foundation is the key to their extended lifetimes.
AESTHETICS Despite the season, a FOLLIS bag’s look is easily described: Clean, classic, timeless. Each collection presents a surprisingly neutral palette of both classic and unique shapes and sizes.
STORY The overnight success Meyer experienced following her award makes her just as down-to-earth as her designs. Her presence on Facebook and Twitter left us feeling surprisingly connected; especially when she posts links to write-ups and blog posts she scours the Internet to find. Meyer even posts a shout out to the writer, unashamed of her pride and excitement.
The Zoe and Daphne bags
A great collection of bags and a great take on fame – undoubtedly Meyer knows the recipe for success. Here’s to a sister that knows how to keep her feet on the ground – well, at least until her Saks/Kate Spade debut.
PHOTO CREDITS: Laced Julia Handbag, Handbagdesigner101.com; Catherine Meyer at IHDA, Denim Claudia Bag, Leather Claudia Bag, Venus Belt, and Aurora Bag; FOLLIS.
Catherine Meyer
Connect with FOLLIS and Catherine Meyer:
Facebook.com/pages/FOLLIS/122642586267
Twitter @FollisNY
