What Handbags Taught Me About Branding

Before I ever designed a logo for a wellness coach or curated packaging for a boutique skincare line, I worked behind the scenes at a luxury handbag company. It was my first true introduction to high-end branding, and the experience left a lasting impression on how I view design today.

What Handbags Taught Me About Branding

Before I ever designed a logo for a wellness coach or curated packaging for a boutique skincare line, I worked behind the scenes at a luxury handbag company. It was my first true introduction to high-end branding, and the experience left a lasting impression on how I view design today.

Let’s bring it way back.

2020: I graduated into a world that had come to a standstill. The job market was frozen, Zoom calls replaced real-life connection, and creative opportunities felt scarce. Still, I was determined to stay in motion.

I picked up a couple of digital marketing internships that, while far from glamorous, gave me a way to keep learning, stay creative, and start building real experience. I was eager to grow my portfolio and discover where my skills could make a real impact. That momentum eventually led me to a role with a major handbag company in Los Angeles—and that’s where everything began to click.

Cue the long days immersed in brand decks, color swatches, campaign mockups, and packaging prototypes. The pace was fast, the expectations high, and the design decisions razor-sharp. What struck me most was how thoughtful every detail was. The stitching, the swing tag, even the way the dust bag folded inside the box—none of it was accidental. It all contributed to the brand’s identity.

I began to understand that in the luxury world, every detail tells a story. Each font was chosen with intention. Every shade of black (and there were many) was debated until it perfectly matched the tone and feel of the brand. Luxury wasn’t just about aesthetics. It was about how something made you feel when you held it, opened it, or even saw it across the room.

That experience completely reshaped how I thought about branding.

Years later, when I launched my own design studio, I found myself returning to those early lessons again and again. Today, I believe the most powerful brands are not built by visuals alone. They’re built by feeling. Your brand isn’t just what people see—it’s how they feel when they interact with you, your product, or your story.

This approach still guides how I work with clients. Whether we’re designing a Squarespace site or crafting a custom logo suite, I always ask:

How do you want someone to feel the moment they land on your website?
What are we communicating through color, spacing, and type—before a single word is read?
Does this feel like you, elevated and fully expressed?

THE JOURNEY UNFOLDING

The Takeaway

I’ve since traded corporate offices for my studio here in Ojai, but the heart of my work hasn’t changed. I now collaborate with founders who deeply care about the experience they’re creating. They want brands that are refined, intentional, and rich with meaning. And whether we’re building a custom identity from the ground up or customizing a semi-tailored brand kit, I bring that same level of precision and heart to every project.

Because here’s the truth: people can tell when something was thrown together just to get by. But they can also feel when something’s been thoughtfully crafted with care.

Whether you're building a luxury product line or a soulful service-based business, branding isn't just about looking good. It's about creating an experience that communicates your values and builds trust. When done well, branding doesn't just impress— it resonates.

When you're ready to elevate, I'm here to help you get there.

Explore my custom services or browse the Tailormade Shop for semi-custom kits designed to elevate your presence with clarity and intention.

VISIT THE SHOP

Let’s bring it way back.

2020: I graduated into a world that had come to a standstill. The job market was frozen, Zoom calls replaced real-life connection, and creative opportunities felt scarce. Still, I was determined to stay in motion.

I picked up a couple of digital marketing internships that, while far from glamorous, gave me a way to keep learning, stay creative, and start building real experience. I was eager to grow my portfolio and discover where my skills could make a real impact. That momentum eventually led me to a role with a major handbag company in Los Angeles—and that’s where everything began to click.

Cue the long days immersed in brand decks, color swatches, campaign mockups, and packaging prototypes. The pace was fast, the expectations high, and the design decisions razor-sharp. What struck me most was how thoughtful every detail was. The stitching, the swing tag, even the way the dust bag folded inside the box—none of it was accidental. It all contributed to the brand’s identity.

I began to understand that in the luxury world, every detail tells a story. Each font was chosen with intention. Every shade of black (and there were many) was debated until it perfectly matched the tone and feel of the brand. Luxury wasn’t just about aesthetics. It was about how something made you feel when you held it, opened it, or even saw it across the room.

That experience completely reshaped how I thought about branding.

Years later, when I launched my own design studio, I found myself returning to those early lessons again and again. Today, I believe the most powerful brands are not built by visuals alone. They’re built by feeling. Your brand isn’t just what people see—it’s how they feel when they interact with you, your product, or your story.

This approach still guides how I work with clients. Whether we’re designing a Squarespace site or crafting a custom logo suite, I always ask:

How do you want someone to feel the moment they land on your website?
What are we communicating through color, spacing, and type—before a single word is read?
Does this feel like you, elevated and fully expressed?

THE JOURNEY UNFOLDING

The Takeaway

I’ve since traded corporate offices for my studio here in Ojai, but the heart of my work hasn’t changed. I now collaborate with founders who deeply care about the experience they’re creating. They want brands that are refined, intentional, and rich with meaning. And whether we’re building a custom identity from the ground up or customizing a semi-tailored brand kit, I bring that same level of precision and heart to every project.

Because here’s the truth: people can tell when something was thrown together just to get by. But they can also feel when something’s been thoughtfully crafted with care.

Whether you're building a luxury product line or a soulful service-based business, branding isn't just about looking good. It's about creating an experience that communicates your values and builds trust. When done well, branding doesn't just impress— it resonates.