What's in a name?

Welcome Readers!

I’m thrilled to be starting a blog about fashion. The time has come for me to discover my fashion writing voice and I'm glad you are along for the ride.

 

But first things first - why "A Bag Named Isabella?"  

My to-fabulous-for-the-Midwest sister suggested naming my blog after her beloved Fendi, "Edwardo."  And that brought to mind my first ever designer item, gifted to me by none other than that very same lovely sister.  

Four years ago, on a Christmas shopping excursion to Neiman Marcus, I fell in love with a turquoise brocade purse with a leather, metal-studded closure.  It was amazing.  There it sat, piled in with the sale bags (blasphemy!).  But it didn't look sale-worthy to me.  It was the only thing I could focus on, the purse drew my complete attention.

At first, I wasn't sure why I felt so strongly toward it.  It wasn't like the Canal St. bags I was usually drawn to during pilgrimages to New York, but I loved it nonetheless.  Deterred by the cost, I put it down and walked away, defeated.  

A few days later, that purse appeared wrapped up under the Christmas tree, just for me.  My sister had sensed the connection I felt to that purse, and had gone back to buy it.  

I kept the purse in it's red Neiman Marcus box, with the removable elastic bow, for a few months, afraid to hurt my one-and-only designer item.  I would open the box and hold the purse, study it's details, feel a rush of happiness seeing the Isabella Fiore label inside... Until one day, I couldn't stand it any longer.  I put together an outfit of dressy white cargo pants by Guess (no joke) and a some layered tank tops for a night out on the town.  The finishing touch to the outfit was my purse.  Come to think of it, the whole outfit was my purse.  

That night, I introduced her to my friends like a proud mother.  "This,"  I declared, "is Isabella."   They oooed and aaahed and agreed she was fabulous, like good friends do.

But it wasn't just about owning a fabulous bag.  To me, Isabella was much more than a designer brand name item.  It was the process - love at first sight, unwrapping it on Christmas, carrying it for the first time - that had changed me.  I realized the art and beauty and joy in fashion and accessories.  I learned how and when to incorporate this unique bag into my wardrobe and make it my own.  I felt the Carrie Bradshaw power of developing my own style.  Isabella opened up fashion to me in a whole new way.  

So now, as I attempt to parlay my love of fashion into something more, it seems only right that I bring the power of Isabella with me.