Bespoke bags for Negoa residents

Ladies in Illinois will have chance to commission their own designer handbags as of this week, when Amy Durdel and sister-in-law Tracy Lawyer launch their business, Leona Delphine, reports JG-TC.com.

The business partners will allow customers to choose everything for the bags, including fabrics, and then will make the bags from scratch according to the specifications.

Customers will also be able to host purse parties, similar to Tupperware, where ladies can get together with their friends in the evenings and order bags.

Mrs Durdel explained the reasoning behind the business venture, which came into fruition in November 2007.

"There's not anything like this, not where you design it yourself. It makes a good girls' night out, or for a little girls' party. [It] means the purses and handbags stay unique. Once that fabric is gone, it's gone. No purse is the same," she said.

The story points to a continuing trend for unique handbags, following a report last month that the 'It bag' is coming to an end. According to the Times, Mintel says that women are tiring of the hype and are becoming more sceptical of celebrity brand endorsement.

It also follows reports yesterday (March 31st) that US designer handbag retailer Angel Handbags has announced that it will focus on up-and-coming designers as opposed to established artists.