Designer Profile: Luisa Clare

Luisa Clare is an Australian label comprised of sisters Luisa Clare and Carla Sanzone. The label has built a reputation both within Australia and overseas by offering quality unique handcrafted leather handbags that are glamorous, feminine and striking works of art.

Visit www.luisaclare.com for stockists and information.

B&L: How did you get started?

Luisa Clare: I created the first bag designs after I discovered a pile of fabric swatches at an industrial recycling plant in Sydney in 2001. Inspired by the luscious Indian silks, soft leather swatches and textured wools, I designed and made my first bags on the floor of my one-bedroom apartment in Sydney. Shortly after, I launched my first handbag line ‘Luisa Clare’ at the fashionable and prestigious Paddington Markets in Sydney.

During this first year we had a lot of interest from customers and also retail stores who were interested in stocking our bags. In 2002 we released our first retail collection, made exclusively from soft Italian and Brazilian leathers. We launched this collection at the 2002 Mercedes Australian Fashion Week. Since then we have continued launching new collections each season and now stock our designs all over Australia and overseas (New Zealand, Singapore, Italy, Germany and Japan).

B&L: Where do you get your inspiration?

Luisa Clare: From the world around me – from nature, fashion, people walking down the street, travel, a piece of fabric/leather and the texture of it. . You can get inspiration anywhere if you have an open mind. I always have a notebook with me and am often jotting down notes and sketches for new designs

B&L: How would you describe your style?

Luisa Clare: Our bag designs are definitely a reflection of my sister and I and our own styles and tastes. That is, feminine, original and striking! We definitely don’t follow all of the fashion trends but tend to enjoy original pieces that are made with quality workmanship. This is definitely like our bag designs – in that they are stand alone pieces that will be beautiful for a very long time.

B&L: Have you always had an interest in fashion?

Luisa Clare: Yes, since an early age and throughout my teens and twenties I was always making various fashion items. I actually started at about the age of 7 when I used to sew clothes for my teddy bears on my mum’s sewing machine. This continued into my teens where I made most of my clothes for myself and then in my twenties I moved into making accessories.

I think fashion is definitely a form of expression and good fashion pieces can be works of art.

B&L: What do you love the most about your label?

Luisa Clare: It’s originality and creativity and most importantly working in a creative industry with my sister.

B&L: What will you be wearing for Spring?

Luisa Clare: Spring makes you feel free and alive – there is nothing like shedding those heavy winter clothes.

I’ll be wearing my new Maiocci Bow Jangles dress as much as possible and the new Luisa Clare French Curve bag. I have the red/royal and the green version!  

B&L: What fashion accessory can’t you live without?

Luisa Clare: My Luisa Clare handbags of course! My other current favourite (I have a lot of favourites!) is the Leaf satchel from our spring/summer collection. It is made from the softest of leathers and is stitched with heavy cream thread in a stylized leaf design. It also combines practicality with style being a satchel with a long adjustable strap.  

B&L: What has been the biggest challenge you have had to overcome with your brand?

Luisa Clare: For the first few years, trying to run all aspects of the business ourselves was definitely the biggest challenge and forced us to become very organized and time efficient.  

We have our own Luisa Clare boutique, our stockists both here in Australia and overseas and they all require different inputs. There have been times when we have really found it at a lot of hard work but we have a very close family and friends who are supportive and encouraging and really help us.

In the past couple of years we have also overcome this by employing talented people to assist us with our business. We now employ a marketing consultant who takes care of a lot of our media and marketing issues. We also have sales agents in each state to help assist our Stockists on a personal basis with suitable designs, customer service etc.

Other than that, we both still look after all of the interests of the business. One advantage of ‘doing it all’ is that you have a fantastic understanding of how your business operates and what our clients love and enjoy about using our bags. 

B&L: What is it like working so closely with your sister?

Luisa Clare: I love it! We definitely compliment each others skills perfectly.
 
We have always been close as sisters and shared similar interests with sewing and creative energy. One really big advantage with having a family business is that you really know each other very well and you also know each other’s strong points. This really allows you to maximise these strong points and have a well organised business.

Also, when things get a bit tough and stressful you are very forgiving of each other!

B&L: What’s next for Luisa Clare?

Luisa Clare: We will continue making more beautiful and stylish bags, launch our inaugural clothing range and continue showcasing our designs around the world!

B&L: Where can we purchase your range?

Luisa Clare: From:

- Our Sydney boutique located in Sydney’s fashionable William Street, Paddington
- At selected stockists Australia wide
- At selected stockists internationally
- And our whole seasonal collection is showcased at www.luisaclare.com

B&L: What does being a woman mean to you?

Luisa Clare: Everything.  It means empowerment, the ability to create my own destiny, the freedom to be who I want to be, the enjoyment of rich and meaningful relationships with my husband, family and friends.