Original Luxury Handbags

Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: July 2024

Sink your fingers into designer Carol Rose Ridenour’s extraordinary stitchery. Caress the scrumptious textures. Delight in the dazzling colors, both inside and out of each original luxury handbag. Relish the energy of the fabric’s vibrancy, its sheer joie de vivre. If you are lucky enough to already own one of these creations, you have crossed over onto Fashion’s Ultimate Awesome.

With an artist’s eye and the precision hands of a surgeon, Carol found her true passion in crafting lavish handbags.

Each of Carol’s bags makes a statement where functionality meets the Aesthetic. Her larger bags cater to those who enjoy a big tote, her medium size bags cater to one’s smaller routine, and her latest lite-size is designed for keys and phone.

Carol (sometimes along with her daughter-collaborator) scours the countryside, gathering swatches, sometimes bolts of the finest crafted textiles on the planet. Tweeds, cottons, velvets, and upholstery fabrics are her favorites. French Chantilly Lace, a true luxury statement and Pakistani hand-embroidered fabrics can cost upwards of a thousand dollars a yard/meter. Carol finds their remnants at fabric shows, flea markets, exotic fibre suppliers, all much less than retail. She knows where the best finds are hiding and seeks them out for her customers’ exceptional taste.

Carol’s bags are sold all over the U.S., from Florida to Maine, California to North Carolina. A large part of her success is every bag she creates is an original. She might make five that are similar, using same color palette, but each bag is your work of art. Another attraction to her work is that it’s sturdy and durable. The quality leathers she uses for handles are substantial weight.

Carol says, “My bags are guaranteed to give you years of pleasure.”

She also wants readers to know she is preparing her fall line, and those colors will be added to the current line at Bungalow Boutique, which is her exclusive retailer.

On July 23, Bungalow828 Boutique in Cashiers is hosting a exclusive Phoebe Rose Trunk Show and you’ll get to experience Carol’s latest designs. Bungalow828 Boutique is located inside Fusion Yoga & Wellness at 21A Lance Road.

“Let us know you’re coming and receive a free gift upon arrival,” says Mary Abranyi, the owner of Bungalow828 Boutique. “We’ll also be serving a late lunch to include iced herbal tea, hot herbal tea, smoothies, plus tea sandwiches, fruit and granola, parfaits, and other yummy goodies.

Email [email protected] or call (828) 743-9530 to secure your place at the trunk show, and to learn more about the treasures to be found at Bungalow828 Boutique.