Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Diamantidis.
Annie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Chicago and at the age of five moved to the island of Chios in Greece where my family is from. Having limited resources on an island I would always watch my mother sew clothes for my sister and I. We would always go to school with outfits that none of the other kids had. My passion was always accessories so I would find old things and make them into something new. I remember cutting up my mom’s old mink shawl and making a purse out of it.
We eventually moved back to the states were I attended DePaul university. In college, I landed an internship with one of Chicago’s leading jewelry designers named Lana Bramlette. After graduation I was hired immediately and was head of sales in the Midwest region. After three years, determined to start my own label I took a few years off to travel and visit several tanneries and manufacturers in destinations such as Italy, Greece and Turkey and along the way bought treasures that I later incorporated into my handbags. I eventually decided to have my leather handbags made in Chicago and self-taught myself to make my evening bags and jewelry.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When starting something new you have many challenges and the most common is deadlines because everything in this field is by season.
I was working with an amazing boutique in California and the owner was also an art professor at a local university. She had purchased several handbags for her boutique and wanted to put her input on a design that I had. She asked if I would make one of my designs a jumbo size and add large black round hardware. I thought the idea was cool and different and would love to collaborate and make something exclusive for her store. I was able to make the handbag super big but finding the right hardware was a challenge. I approached several manufacturers with a sketch of what I was looking for but the lead-time was a few months and I needed the bags for the current season. As I was brainstorming one morning while drinking coffee. I looked up and found the perfect hardware. The knobs from my kitchen cabinets were exactly what I was looking for. I removed them all and used them on the bags just in time. My cabinets were without knobs for several months after that collaboration.
Please tell us about Annie Handbags®.
Annie Handbags® are handcrafted from genuine leather and exotic skins. I have a wide range of handbags from clutches, totes, shoulder bags, top handle, evening bags and this year launched a resort collection of straw bags. I have named my bags after a Greek Goddess and character from Greek Mythology to pay homage to my heritage. Along the way the names I chose are of strong independent women/worriers. My vision was when women carry my bags they feel empowered and confident. Since launching my namesake collection I have worked with many celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Jodie Sweetin and Kalsea Ballerini. I was asked by Jodie Sweetin’s stylist to make her one of my signature cat minaudieres that she carried on the orange carpet at the Kids Choice Awards and one of my apple minaudière for her that she carried on the red carpet at the People’s Choice Awards.
My Handbags have been featured on hit shows like Billions and the iconic Gossip Girl. I also made a guest appearance on a reality show in my hometown as the “Handbag expert”. The most rewarding in my journey as a handbag designer is that I love to give back to the community. Especially organizations that help women and children. I partner up with local Chicago organizations such as:
Bare Necessities to help fight pediatric cancer and Save A Mother Foundation that helps reduce mortality in villages in third world countries where healthcare is not that easily accessible.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Born in a Chicago and traveling to Greece regularly, I found a lot of my inspiration from the love of art and architecture in both countries. As a child, I remember visiting Athens and going to the Parthenon for the first time and seeing the Acropolis. This later inspired me to create timeless treasures and naming them after Greek Goddesses.
Pricing:
- Annie Handbags Leather collection ranges from $250 to $600
- Annie Handbags Exotic skin evening bags range from $280 to $1,000
- Annie Handbags Resort collection range from $150 to $200
Contact Info:
- Address: Carried in Luxury boutiques throughout the USA and in Chicago at:
Cinnamon Boutique in Chicago
Falmouth Road in Geneva
Citywoods in Highland Park
Exhibit in Wilmette - Website: www.anniebags.com
- Phone: 312-498-3933
- Email: info@anniebags.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniediamantidis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anniehandbags/
Image Credit:
Annie Diamantidis personal photo credit: Michigan Ave. Magazine
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
