Chicago Designer Spotlight: Susan Fitch (Jan 07)

Transform an Everyday Ensemble into Something Special with these Hip and Modern Handbags Made in Chicago

We all love it when someone asks “where did you get that fabulous item?”  Especially when they compliment a great accessory that makes our outfits just a little more special.  Devotees of Susan Fitch’s line of handbags know that feeling pretty well.  Her designs are some of the most fun, fashionable bags around, and she’s based right here in Chicago.  

A Susan Fitch bag is usually colorful, with a mix of textures.  The phrase “up-to-date styles with a vintage twist” has been seriously over-used in the fashion industry, but in Susan’s case it’s actually true. 

Her line is heavily inspired by her collection of vintage handbags (she’s been collecting them for years).  In fact, those bags, and the realization that the perfect bag definitely completes an outfit, are what led her to begin her eponymous collection.   

Despite her love of vintage style, her work is unmistakably contemporary.  Currently, Susan Fitch is into “modern hardware and fabrications” and “really super-bright metallic, like the latest Louis Vuitton gold and silver bags”.  She’s also looking at some cotton canvas for the upcoming season, “like LL Bean taken to an edgier level”.  Some of her trademarks include snakeskin and metallic trim, and all of the bags are made of buttery soft leather and luscious satin.  

One of her best sellers is the “Emma Clutch”, a petite clutch that can be tossed into your larger purse during the day and brought out at night – it’s useful and luxurious (and it has star power – this bag was carried by Eva Longoria in an episode of Desperate Housewives).  

However, the “Million Dollar Baby Bag” and the “Hobo Changing Bag” are probably the most practical pieces in the line. 

Susan designed them after her own son was born and she noticed the serious lack of functional but stylish diaper bags on the market.  These bags are made of rich leather trimmed with grommets, have plenty of pockets, and have a fully waterproof lining – who says you can’t combine fashion and function?   

“I design based on what I want” says Susan, “My bags are something I or my friends would carry.  We’re hip and modern, but not slaves to fashion or overly trendy”.  Her customers tend to be the women who “have their sense of style and know what they want”.  Like the designer herself, they know that the right bag will transform an everyday ensemble into something special.   www.susanfitch.com.

Her line is available in Chicago at these locations:

Barney’s  
25 E. Oak St., Chicago
312.587.700
www.barneys.com 

Jake
3740 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
773.929.253

939 Rush St., Chicago
312.664.5553
www.shopjake.com

Spare Parts
2947 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago
773.525.4242
www.shopspareparts.com

Tangerine
1719 N. Damen Ave., Chicago
773.772.0505

 

Photos courtesy of Susan Fitch.

SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer – J. Zenn.
 
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews. Publ.  01/07.