Laura Collins is the founder, CEO, and designer behind Pansy Maiden bags. Inspired by clean lines, whimsical shapes,
and an urban aesthetic, Pansy Maiden subscribes to a "less is more"
philosophy. Her mission is to create attractive, sustainable,
cruelty-free bags in a socially responsible manner.
Working out of her home-based studio in Medford, MA, Laura has total control over the quality of her handmade bags. With the assistance of a reliable Juki industrial sewing machine, she build her bags to be both durable and functional using a number of advanced sewing techniques.
Laura wraps herself into every single aspect of Pansy Maiden so she wants her bags to be a reflection of her personal values. Laura believes that all things connect - the way we treat animals, the way we treat our Earth, the way we treat each other - it all connects. If we are considerate and make efforts to treat all three with the utmost respect, our world will be a healthier and all-around better place to live. Which is why she chooses to run her business in the same manner she lives her life: Cruelty-free.
Laura is the designer of the Lady Day Bag
Visit her blog at http://www.pansymaiden.com/blog/
Amanda was born and bred in Massachusetts in a creative environment and went on to attend Syracuse University for a BFA in surface/pattern design. She offers a unique eye on textile and accessory design as well as illustration, drawing inspiration from vintage and antique treasures. Amanda first met Heatherjean while working for a vintage shop called Artifaktori and was immediately drawn to the emphasis Proxy places on the production process and quality design. She loves that Proxy provides opportunities to both its workers and customers to be a part of a fair trade, sustainable system. If Amanda could be a bird, she would be an owl - “I am terrible in the morning, but at night my head is filled with inspiration and ideas...it’s like my brain finally wakes up after everything goes dark!” She could also make an excellent crow because, “My house is full of "inspiration" that I gather from thrift stores, flea markets, vintage shops, relatives, the side of theroad...you get the point.”
Amanda is the designer of the lovely bowtie.
You can contact Amanda at mandamargaret@gmail.com or check her out online:
scribblesandschemes.blogspot.
Yurie has approached fashion from many diverse angles; from a retail perspective, as an educator, through PR, and trendspotting, but she took the big leap into designing in 2008. Self-taught, she started by turning her husband's business shirts into dresses and continued on to up-cycle clothing.
During a craft fair in Cambridge, Massachusetts, she met Heatherjean, which became not only the beginning of a friendship but also her introduction to Proxy Apparel. Yurie currently enjoys designing her own label of bowties, aptly named "bowties by yurie," using upcycled materials as well as cultural fabrics from her home country, Japan. She is inspired by Alber Elbaz, nature, and 80's fashion. She resides in Okinawa, Japan with her husband and Chin/ Cairn Terrier mix, Chura. If Yurie was a bird, she might be a “Tanager or Finch” because “they come in all sorts of colors, just like all the different designs I want to make, all the different fabrics I want to try. As a person, I hope to be as sweet and colorful as they are.”
Yurie is the designer of the Pretty-as-a-Peacock headband.
