press 2005

Ashlee and Jessica Simpson loved the MOLLY bags we designed for them !In addition Ashlee's birthday party guests received LESLIE make-up bags for her 21st birthday bash in Las Vegas.

Cottage Living – December 2005
Cottage Living gave the scoop on 1154 LILL in their December issue. This great, colorful two page article in the “Cottage Industry” section features Jennifer Velarde and how she developed the original concept of 1154 LILL. Handbag Parties were highlighted along with our Donations by Design program.

Midwest Living – November/December 2005
Guess who’s highlighted in the 12 Days of Christmas spread in Midwest Living – 1154 LILL! Included in the blurb titled “Make your own gifts”, 1154 LILL is mentioned as the “perfect, unique present”.

OK! Magazine – November 14th, 2005
While catching up on the latest make-ups and break-ups of the hottest celebs in OK! Magazine, make sure to catch the list mentioning the hottest Top 10 things going on in Hollywood – and sure enough you’ll find 1154 LILL listed along side the Goo Goo Dolls new album and the chic new Stella McCartney line at H&M.

Celebrity Living – November 2005
Celebrity Living Magazine went crazy over our handbags and has featured us twice in just over a month! This 2 page layout entitled “Hollywood Handbags” includes a picture of Jessica and Ashlee Simpson’s MOLLY bags along with info on our boutiques, parties, and general customization concept.

Starting From Scratch – by Wes Moss
It is such an honor to have Jen Velarde’s story of entrepreneurial success included as a full chapter in the new book “Starting From Scratch” by Wes Moss. The former Donald Trump “Apprentice” interviewed an eclectic mix of 21 “ordinary people” who made the leap to start their own business. Jen’s story of how she came up with the idea for LILL’s original “design your own handbag” concept is in good company with stories from the founders of Daily Candy, Spanx, Gen Art, CakeLove and more. It’s an inspirational book on the importance of identifying your passion and transforming your career and we’re so proud to have Jen as a part of it! Thanks, Wes! Buy the book.

STAR Magazine – October 5, 2005
Yes, we’ll admit it – we love a little celeb gossip every now and then! So it was fun to see our LESLIE makeup bag show up in this guilty pleasure as a “Top 25 Product for Fall”.

The Pitch – Kansas City
We were overjoyed to see that we were voted “Best handbags in Kansas City” by readers of The Pitch. It is awesome to be recognized with such an honor and hope that you agree!

NBC’s Kansas City Live – October 13th, 2005
Alyson and Laurel from our Kansas City Boutique were interviewed by NBC’s Kansas City Live. They were able to give the dish on our Anniversary Celebration, Holiday Events, and Parties while showcasing our original “design your own handbag” process on-air. Way to get the word out!!

Good Housekeeping October 2005–
It is so exciting to see 1154 LILL STUDIO included in Good Housekeeping’s “Good Ideas” section. Featured amongst other creative projects, 1154 LILL STUDIO is recognized for its do-it-yourself designing! At LILL, we agree that it’s a great idea!

The Independent – Kansas City Weekly Journal
It seems like The Independent can’t get enough of LILL! This Society journal of who’s who and what’s what in Kansas City is distributed weekly and has featured us at least 3 times in the recent issues. We are ecstatic that our Plaza boutique is so popular!

Real Simple Magazine – September 2005 Issue
We were delighted to see 1154 LILL STUDIO pop-up alongside “big guys” NikeID, Tommy Hilfiger, Build-A-Bear and LLBean in this comprehensive review of all things customizable! “Real Simple spent weeks sizing up dozens of websites that let you build your own you-name-it.” With the custom LYNN bag the writer purchased from LILL, she realized we are all about “cute pocketbooks hand-crafted in Chicago with colorful, feminine fabrics.”

Boston Magazine – August 2005 Issue
Gotta love being included in the Best of Boston issue – and during our 6-year anniversary month to boot! To quote from this article all about D.I.Y. Shopping: “Shoppers tired of ubiquitous, brand-name totes can play designer at 1154 LILL STUDIO, sorting through 20-plus bag styles and hundreds of fabrics before orders a custom one that’s wholly their own”.

Chicago Magazine SHOPS – 2005 Issue
We’ve been lucky enough to have been included in this bible of Chicago shopping since it’s inception, and this year were thrilled with the extensive coverage we received not only with a listing, but with a full-color photo spread and inclusion of one of our makeup bags in an article about a makeup artist’s essentials. Thanks, Chicago SHOPS!

Family Circle Magazine – April 2005 Issue
“Compliments will start rolling in when you create a one-of-a-kind carrier at 1154 LILL” states the “Get Personal” pages featured in April’s issue of the Family Circle Magazine. “Why buy off the rack when you can pick and choose your own purse styles and fabrics.” Here at 1154 LILL Studio, we couldn’t agree more!

The Boston Metro - April 14, 2005
1154 LILL Studio’s Boston Store manager Laurie Strong (the namesake for our LAURIE handbag), made her newspaper debut in The Boston Metro’s feature article “Design Your Perfect Purse”. “We found a shop that sells the perfect handbag for you, your mother, your sister and your friend. All you gotta do is, um, make them.” wrote Meghan Bard. The article touched on everything from how we do what we do and our environment, to the experiences you will have creating your one-of-a-kind LILL Bag, hanging out with friends at our store, hosting handbag parties, and more. To end, Laurie stated just how “in-the-know” she is about LILL saying: “ You are a one of a kind so your bag should be too!”

Shefinds.com - March 31, 2005
Shefinds.com sent out an email blast on “Websites with beautiful items to help make your wedding special” and guess who was the featured shop to get your handbag? 1154 LILL Studio!!! We couldn’t agree more - it was great to be recognized as a bridal must.

The Boston Globe - March 13, 2005
We were thrilled to be included in “The Best of the New: Ideas” for Handbags article in The Boston Globe. They realized the dilemma of “What's worse than seeing other gals toting the same handbag as yours?” leading us to the very inspired conclusion to “Create your own…Make a clutch to match a spring dress, a reversible tote, or the perfect diaper bag” with LILL! Fantastic!!!

Chicago Official Visitors Guide – Spring/Summer 2005 Issue
To be marked as one of best and most unique places to shop in Chicago by the Chicago Official Visitors Guide was quite an honor. We couldn’t be happier that LILL is thought of as a definite must do while visiting the Windy City by such a renowned publication!

The Toronto Star Newspaper March 5, 2005
With The Toronto Star featuring us in their “You be the designer” piece, 1154 LILL has truly become an international icon when it comes to the customization trend and designing your own products. When all is said and done at the end of the day: “When you understand that you can truly make something your way, why would you want to be constrained?”

The Mary Englebreit Home Companion Magazine – February 2005 Issue
We were excited to hear that The Mary Englebreit Home Companion Magazine found 1154 LILL while in search of a great find for their “Concept of Customizing” article! It’s wonderful to be included in such a great piece and featured along side other amazing companies.

The Chicago Tonight Show, Channel 11 February 23, 2005
We were thrilled to be highlighted during the Chicago Tonight Show’s segment on “Getting Crafty”. The show came in and taped a segment from our Chicago retail boutique while taking viewers through their own personal LILL experience. The show, which aired on 2/23/05, featured LILL alongside a select group of shops in the Chicago area where you call the shots and personalize your purchases!

The Cleveland Plain Dealer February 14, 2005
“A minimalist look with a dash if charming detail” was the “Fashion Flash” of the day for The Plain Dealer (Cincinnati). The fashionista: An account manager in Boston who carries her custom-designed KIMBERLY from 1154 LILL to add the “charming detail” to her look.

Redbook Magazine – January 2005 Issue
We couldn’t be happier that Redbook Magazine thought of 1154 LILL when doing a feature article on customizable beauty products saying “ …why not design your own bag to tote around your new, just-for-you goods…mix and match fabrics and shapes to create your own distinct style”. The best of both worlds – what a great combination!