About
It all started…
In 2015. I was in graduate school, living in a little garage apartment, newly divorced, trying to figure out my life. I saved $300 a few months prior and bought myself my first designer handbag from Dillard’s. The straps broke three weeks later and I couldn’t find my receipt so I was carrying my broken designer bag and my ratty hemp tote bag to school each day. I looked ridiculous carrying two broken bags, up the stairs, one on each shoulder. Hindsight, maybe the best metaphor for my life at the time.
One night I got fed up with it and sat down on my floor and dumped the contents of both bags out on the floor. I got a legal pad and sketched the bag I needed. One bag that could do everything. The Perfect Tote™ I called it. The bag I couldn’t find anywhere else. The bag I needed. I needed it to be practical, yet beautiful, functional, yet strong. I needed it to be tough. I needed it not to fall apart. I needed it to be my partner in any environment I found myself in. Also, I needed it not to ruin or disintegrate if I accidentally spilled coffee on it which I knew would inevitably happen sooner or later (and it did)!
I needed it to have a place for my 12-15” laptop, wallet, Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses, pens, cell phone charger, keys, books, workout clothes. I needed a work bag that could hustle with me. A bag that molded to me (literally) and got better with time.
I took my drawing to a local saddle maker and the rest is history. I never thought it would turn into a business. Turns out y’all needed The Perfect Tote™ too. I never knew a bag could give you confidence. Make you stand a little taller. Be proud to walk in room, as you look people in the eye, put your bag on the floor, and say, “let’s get to work.”
When the bag was almost done my maker called me and said, “I know you’re going through a divorce and usually put your initials on your stuff. What initials do you want me to put on this bag?” I paused. Then intuitively without hesitation I said, “Let’s put AV on the bag”. My maiden name. Amy Diane Violette. Funny thing was my name wasn’t even legally changed back to that yet.
And that’s the moment my life changed forever. The moment I reclaimed my name, myself, and my story. I hope your AV bag does the same thing for you and makes you feel powerful, invincible, seen, and full of magic. Because, look in the mirror my friend, you are.
- Love, Amy