There are many handbags out there that seemingly match every possible style you could think of - that is, except for pin-up style. For some reason, it's hard to find modern bags that still have a rockabilly/pinup style flair to them. I spoke to Randi Hudek - A designer that combines modern luxury with the fun creative styles from the '50s.
Q: You started designing because your everyday handbag started to fall apart; Can you elaborate a little bit more about your life and how it led you to start designing?
A: “I went to school for fashion though I had no intention of starting a handbag line, I always thought I would be making clothing or have a little shop (I studied design and merchandising). I was designing and sewing for years before I started making handbags, I've been making and altering my own clothes since I learned how to sew, I used to even have sewing parties with friends where I would alter their hoodies and t-shirts for them – this was when slim-cut clothing was hard to find. I decided to go into fashion way back in high school in the late '90s, and everyone thought it was a joke, it wasn't taken seriously because it was way before shows like Project Runway became popular and social media branding helped so many small brands and designers reach an audience. I've always been more into the alternative side of fashion and wanted to get into the field because I could never find the clothes I saw in my head and wanted to just make my own. When I first started taking fashion and sewing classes in college, I ate them up. Most people take a class, pass it, and move on. For those classes, (Sewing I, II, III, Costuming I, II, III, etc), I took them each the maximum number of times I could every semester just to perfect my skill, I even became a t.a. for my sewing instructor for my last semester when I had reached the max.
A: “I went to school for fashion though I had no intention of starting a handbag line, I always thought I would be making clothing or have a little shop (I studied design and merchandising). I was designing and sewing for years before I started making handbags, I've been making and altering my own clothes since I learned how to sew, I used to even have sewing parties with friends where I would alter their hoodies and t-shirts for them – this was when slim-cut clothing was hard to find. I decided to go into fashion way back in high school in the late '90s, and everyone thought it was a joke, it wasn't taken seriously because it was way before shows like Project Runway became popular and social media branding helped so many small brands and designers reach an audience. I've always been more into the alternative side of fashion and wanted to get into the field because I could never find the clothes I saw in my head and wanted to just make my own. When I first started taking fashion and sewing classes in college, I ate them up. Most people take a class, pass it, and move on. For those classes, (Sewing I, II, III, Costuming I, II, III, etc), I took them each the maximum number of times I could every semester just to perfect my skill, I even became a t.a. for my sewing instructor for my last semester when I had reached the max.
At the time I started Hold Fast Handbags, I had recently been laid off from my job as a visual merchandiser for Macy's (2009 recession, fun times!). With my favorite everyday purse becoming worse for wear by the day and being on a limited budget, I decided to make a replacement myself. I lived in Los Angeles still, so it was just a quick drive to the downtown fashion district (aka sewing heaven) to pick out supplies.”
Q: Many of your purses are vintage/rockabilly inspired, when did your first start getting into vintage/rockabilly fashion?
A: "I think I've always been into vintage/retro fashion, and mid-century design. I've always been an avid thrifter, and on the hunt for treasure at vintage shops and markets. I've inherited that from my mom. I grew up on movies like Gidget and American Graffiti, and my dad was also really into old cars. I started getting more into the rockabilly scene in my early 20's, around the time I learned how to swing dance. By the time I moved to LA in 2006, I was enamored. I loved the whole style, the pinup fashion... it feels like you've stepped into a different time, especially at events like Viva. As cliché as it is, the dudes were pretty cute too."
Q: Many of your purses are vintage/rockabilly inspired, when did your first start getting into vintage/rockabilly fashion?
A: "I think I've always been into vintage/retro fashion, and mid-century design. I've always been an avid thrifter, and on the hunt for treasure at vintage shops and markets. I've inherited that from my mom. I grew up on movies like Gidget and American Graffiti, and my dad was also really into old cars. I started getting more into the rockabilly scene in my early 20's, around the time I learned how to swing dance. By the time I moved to LA in 2006, I was enamored. I loved the whole style, the pinup fashion... it feels like you've stepped into a different time, especially at events like Viva. As cliché as it is, the dudes were pretty cute too."
Q: Which design is your best seller and why do you think that is?
A: "My best seller is my studded kiss-lock handbag, which was my first design. It's a classic style, it can be kept simple and classy with say a solid black faux leather, or be more modernized and unique with a fun print and different colored sparkle trims. It's easily customizable to the individual customer, but it keeps to that vintage/retro flair."
Q: How did your friends and family react to you starting your design business?
A: “They have always been super supportive, I'm fortunate with that. All of my friends have supported my business by buying bags for themselves or for others as gifts, and it's amazing. It's very encouraging to have that support from the people you love.”
Q: You also started making handbags because there weren’t any bags in the market that suited your taste, would you say your style is more on the retro/glamorous side?
A: “I think my personal style has evolved more towards that since I started my brand. It was much more rockabilly influenced at the time, and even ten years ago there were only a handful of handbag companies in that niche'. As a former goth teen, I've been taking a turn back towards more of a darker all-black ensemble with both a rocker and 60's/glam twist. I feel like I've seen a lot of pinup/alternative fashion evolving in this direction as well. As I've gotten older, wearing black is just easier, but I always try to incorporate vintage style into it (it also helps with showcasing my bags when I'm out since they're not competing as much with colors and prints in my clothing). I feel like my brand direction reflects where I'm feeling with my personal style at the time, and I have so many sketches of new ideas to work on. I'll always have a vintage influence on everything I do though.”
A: "My best seller is my studded kiss-lock handbag, which was my first design. It's a classic style, it can be kept simple and classy with say a solid black faux leather, or be more modernized and unique with a fun print and different colored sparkle trims. It's easily customizable to the individual customer, but it keeps to that vintage/retro flair."
Q: How did your friends and family react to you starting your design business?
A: “They have always been super supportive, I'm fortunate with that. All of my friends have supported my business by buying bags for themselves or for others as gifts, and it's amazing. It's very encouraging to have that support from the people you love.”
A: “I think my personal style has evolved more towards that since I started my brand. It was much more rockabilly influenced at the time, and even ten years ago there were only a handful of handbag companies in that niche'. As a former goth teen, I've been taking a turn back towards more of a darker all-black ensemble with both a rocker and 60's/glam twist. I feel like I've seen a lot of pinup/alternative fashion evolving in this direction as well. As I've gotten older, wearing black is just easier, but I always try to incorporate vintage style into it (it also helps with showcasing my bags when I'm out since they're not competing as much with colors and prints in my clothing). I feel like my brand direction reflects where I'm feeling with my personal style at the time, and I have so many sketches of new ideas to work on. I'll always have a vintage influence on everything I do though.”
Q: Have you ever thought about branching out to designing more than purses?
A: “I've done a few things besides purses when I have a break. I had a friend request a leash and collar set for her dog recently, so that was really fun to do. I've had a lot of people ask if I would ever want to make clothes, but I really actually like making purses, I think I found my thing. If I was to ever branch out into something different creatively, I would probably steer towards interior design or home accessories. I'm fascinated with interiors.”
Q: Any up and coming designs/projects that we can look forward to?
A: “I've started working with leather recently, I've had a lot of requests for leather bags over the years. I'm still learning how to work with it because it's a lot different than working with vinyl, but my goal over the next year is to start a sideline of purses in addition to my current line, with more of a streamlined glamorous retro rocker style (sort of Dita von Teese meets Kat von D?) – still customizable but with not as many options as Hold Fast Handbags as far as prints and colors go. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while. I would be able to offer more ready to ship items this way as well as I only do make to order right now with so many options. It's still in the early stages of planning and sample making, but expect more black, leather/faux leathers, velvet's, and hardware options.”
A: “I've started working with leather recently, I've had a lot of requests for leather bags over the years. I'm still learning how to work with it because it's a lot different than working with vinyl, but my goal over the next year is to start a sideline of purses in addition to my current line, with more of a streamlined glamorous retro rocker style (sort of Dita von Teese meets Kat von D?) – still customizable but with not as many options as Hold Fast Handbags as far as prints and colors go. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while. I would be able to offer more ready to ship items this way as well as I only do make to order right now with so many options. It's still in the early stages of planning and sample making, but expect more black, leather/faux leathers, velvet's, and hardware options.”
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