A Bowen Island accessories designer will head to the Big Apple next week with hopes of nabbing a design award.
Larissa Stefani of Lloyd & Wolf is a finalist in the Independent Handbag Designer Awards. According to a release, the IHDA's are known in the industry as the Academy Awards of Handbags. The global accessories event recognizes emerging and established designers and is hosted by the online database and shopping network Handbag Designer 101.
The competition is in its seventh year. Winners will be announced June 19 during an event at the School of Visual Arts Theatre in New York City.
According to Stefani, hers is the only Canadian brand in the finals, selected from among 1,200 applicants from North and South America, Europe and Asia. Her Lloyd & Wolf label features Italian leathers and signature studs and spikes that give her limited-run handbags a rock 'n' roll edge.
Stefani started her company two years ago, after taking a hiatus from the fashion industry to start a family. The designer, who grew up in West Vancouver and now resides on Bowen Island where she has a studio, says working close to home has its advantages as she juggles her startup design firm with raising two young children.
Stefani entered her signature Abi bag into the international competition and learned she was a finalist in May. The $650 bag is described on the competition website as a three-in-one tote in black crocodile printed cowhide that can be worn as a shoulder bag with a strap that can lengthen into a cross-body, or snap down inside to create a clutch.
Stefani is a finalist in two categories: Best Overall Design and Audience Fan Favourite. The fan favourite award is selected through online voting at instyle.com.
Lloyd & Wolf is available locally at Rebecca Bree Boutique on Vancouver's West Side.
