Heirloom Handbags: Inside ila Handbags' New Minneapolis Showroom

Published:

Spring/Summer 2014

Brides seeking something old, something new, something borrowed and something
blue can find it all at the new ila Handbags showroom in Minneapolis. Designer
Paula Bjerketvedt handcrafts her line of super-chic handbags in the sunny new
studio space; in the adjoining bright and airy showroom, she meets with brides
to create one-of-a-kind wedding-day clutches.

“Local brides wanted to come in and consult about what they wanted for their
wedding day, and it helps to reference the bags directly,” says Bjerketvedt.
“It’s great to work one-on-one with brides to not only add custom value, but
also sentimental value.”

That sentimental value can come from a mother’s lace wedding gown or a
grandmother’s brooch, which Bjerketvedt can incorporate into a handbag. She also
has a soft spot for vintage fabrics and sequins, which she uses to create
original or limited-edition pieces that stand out in the clutch crowd. These
beauties also make an absolutely perfect bridesmaid gift.

Bjerketvedt is now offering complete in-studio styling in the ila showroom,
an added service for busy brides who don’t have time to iron out all the minute
details of their wedding-day style.

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