Davie & Chiyo ~ Custom Clutch Bags & 20% Discount for Readers…

** Discount code provided at end of feature **

Good afternoon everyone 🙂 Goodness me, my email inbox has gone somewhat bonkers over the past few weeks! I've never received such a high volume of emails.  But I'm not complaining. It's all good, and so exciting to receive all the wonderful wedding submissions and contacts from PR companies bringing my attention to some great new products and services out there that I can't wait to share with you all, like this rather fab little find I have for you today 🙂

Davie & Chiyo is a custom clutch-bag design company started by sisters, Fumi and Himi Bull. It began in late 2008 as a hobby business for a recent graduate and a stay-at-home mother of two but quickly flourished into a full time business for both sisters. The company specialise in creating a pretty clutch bag for every member of the bridal party – brides, bridesmaids and flower girls. “We had never really planned on working in the bridal market – it just kind of found us.”

Based in Vancouver, Canada, Davie & Chiyo sell primarily online through their Etsy Store and ship worldwide.  One of our gorgeous real Brides who married 1920's style had a pretty Davie & Chiyo Clutch – go take a peek…

Gorgeous bridal clutch bags from David & Chiyo…

Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Davie & Chiyo

Without any formal sewing or design training, the business was fueled by the sisters’ combined creativity, drive and love for all things handmade. This proved to be a recipe for success as a few sales per month grew into almost 100 per week and over two thousand satisfied customers to date. Growing sales meant that the work could no longer be handled by the two sisters alone, so in the spring of 2010 Davie & Chiyo expanded its operations to take on three part-time employees.  I just love encouraging stories like this, and I LOVE Etsy for giving talented creatives like Fumi and Himi, the opportunity to share their creations with the world 🙂

I have one of the fabulous little clutches below in navy blue and it's so pretty, I can't tell you! Lovely vintage style fabric lining too…

Davie & Chiyo is based upon one simple design – a one-size compact clutch with a kiss-lock closure. This design is the basis for all Davie & Chiyo clutches, whether it’s the signature Bow, the classic Pleats or the latest Shabby Chic Leather. Despite an ever-growing portfolio of designs, what really sets this business apart from the crowded bridal market is that the product is completely handmade, made-to-order and fully customisable (you can even arrange to have pretty names sewn inside!). Almost every aspect of the clutch can be tailored to one’s personal tastes and preferences, including the frame colour, design, fabric and chain.

Also, averaging at around only $70 Canadian dollars per design (that's around £45), these gorgeous and delicately hand-made clutches are kind to the purse too – because for handmade prettiness that will add a touch of gorgeous to your look for a very long time, that is excellent value for money!  By the way, all Etsy prices are quoted in American Dollars, but you can find a helpful and quick online currently converting tool here…

Fumi and Himi are often inspired by trends that fashion trends, which are then translated to designs that will complement a clutch. Their style is very feminine but also clean and polished. The clutches are meant to look effortless and not over-worked. Simplicity speaks volumes, so although there are intricate designs like the Tiered Rose, the smoothness of the silk charmeuse fabric balances the design to make the whole look effortless and elegant.

Fumi and Himi love the idea of making special pieces for special occasions but also wanted to create pieces that their customers could use day-to-day. For that reason they ventured into patterned textiles and leather, which would be more durable than the delicate silks and chiffons that we typically use. They stuck with their classic clutch design as the small carry-all is the perfect size to fit a cell-phone, small wallet and any other small essentials that one might need but then added various chain options.

I love them all. I would like them all! But one for now will do and I am so looking forward to an evening out with the girls a week on Friday to put my lovely Davie & Chiyo bag to it's first use 🙂

You can grab your own Davie & Chiyo clutch bag with 20% off the checkout price by entering the discount code "DRESS20" in the "message to seller" box during checkout. The discount is not instantaneous, so upon seeing the discount code we will refund 20% of the price.  This discount will offer will end at Midnight on Wednesday 27 October 2010.  Please also note, this discount applies to one clutch bag per customer.

So go get shopping!… 😉

For further information, visit the Davie & Chiyo Etsy Store, blog, or email [email protected].

Much love 🙂

Annabel xXx

♥