Bags of Style Walthamstow may already be the home of those who make and create, but with the launch of her new handbag range – Burgoyne London - Desiree Pringle is hoping to make it a fashion forward postcode too… The E List sent Karen Dunn to find out more. So, how are your bags different from the competition? I want to create a fashion look, which is aspirational, but doesn’t take a month’s wages to buy. I was lucky that I already had good relationships with suppliers who would do short runs for me and I decided to work with quality PU rather than leather because it not only looks great, but it’s good for the environment too. Quality is key. Forget spending £10,000 on a Balenciaga bag because Walthamstow resident Desiree Pringle’s new range of handbags will give you the arm candy of your dreams for a fraction of the price. The former fashion buyer has taken the leap to set up her own business designing a line of on-trend handbags, under the name Burgoyne London, which she hopes will bring a pop of colour to the borough.
What’s your design process? I want to make bags that are on trend, but have a clean edge to them with just one or two design features to catch the eye. I draw inspiration from statement jewellery by designers like Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent and apply the famous Coco Chanel quote: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off” to my designs too.
Who would you like to see carrying your handbags? To see someone like Alexa Chung or Rachel Weisz with one would be amazing, but the biggest buzz for me would be seeing regular people using them. There’s nothing like the kick of seeing someone on the tube or on the street with a bag I’ve designed because I know they’ve picked it and parted with their hard–earned money for it.
To buy Burgoyne handbags visit: www.burgoyne.london or follow Desiree’s journey on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ burgoynelondonhandbags
Hi Desiree, your new handbag range looks amazing, but what made you decide to start your own business? Ever since I moved to the UK from Ireland 17 years ago I’ve worked as an accessories buyer for lots of high street stores from Coast to LK Bennett. While it was great fun developing brands, I couldn’t really put my own stamp on the designs. When I was made redundant last year it gave me the push to finally follow my heart and start my own business. Has living in Walthamstow inspired your business in any way? Definitely. There’s so much energy and new places popping up all the time. It’s really inspiring and made me feel it was realistic to give it a go too. It felt like the right place to start Burgoyne, especially as there are already fledgling fashion businesses here like milliners and fashion designers too.
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