All about Elaine Turner Handbags

from Elaine Turner

Elaine Turner, a former apparel designer and merchandiser, put her industry experience, love of accessories and passion for all things stylish to work on her first-ever handbag collection. Elaine’s impressive fashion pedigree, coupled with a keen interest in textiles and timeless style, led to the creation of a unique, conceptually-driven debut collection that instantly stood apart from the rest. Her collection is inspired by a destination aesthetic that integrates bold color and prints. This combination creates a fun, yet glamorous style that appeals to women of all ages. Elaine also perceived a void in the market for luxurious accessories at an accessible price point. Ultimately, this discovery encouraged her to launch her own business in 2000.

Elaine Turner states, “When I created my company, my main inspiration was to convey “my dreams” through my product. My ultimate goal is for the woman carrying one of my bags to feel like she has bought a piece of my dreams. I want the bag to conjure up images of travel, fantasy and escapism, i.e., lying on a private beach in the Caribbean, visiting a historic hotel in Europe, walking through a charming Provence garden, buying artwork along the harbor in St. Tropez. At the same time, I want the bag to evoke deep pleasure while she carries it in her tangible everyday life.”

Elaine Turner draws inspiration from a multitude of sources. She is passionate about her family, art, fashion, travel and interior design. These influences are reflected through Elaine’s personal style and are key ingredients in the Elaine Turner collection season after season.

Elaine’s mother remains a constant source of inspiration. “She epitomized elegance and beauty to me when I was growing up In Texas. She took pride in putting herself together and expressed herself through the fun and creativity of fashion,” says Turner. Primary sources of inspiration in interior design are, David Hick's for his unexpected mix of texture and print, Kelly Wearstler for her boldness, and Jonathan Adler for his sense of whimsy and fun. As far as fashion designers, Elaine is inspired by Lilly Pulitzer. “I completely respect what she did with a simple shift dress. Her bold print design turned into a fashion statement that still resonates today and her Palm Beach style is a constant source of inspiration for me”, says Turner. The simplicity of Narcisco Rodriguez and femininity of Carolina Herrera are also key influences and the world of Ralph Lauren continues to inspire her daily.

With regards to travel, Elaine Turner recalls her memories of traveling to the Caribbean as a child. “I have wonderful memories of these times with family- innocent, care free days reading my favorite books ocean side, snorkeling in crystal clear waters and casually walking the white sandy beaches. The Caribbean stole my heart. It was the only experience I have ever had where I truly felt like I had escaped reality, and in today’s times of stress, fear and over indulgence, I truly cherish those times of simple memories. The accessories I create today have strong influences from those days”, says Turner.

Elaine Turner was born and raised in Houston, Texas and currently resides there with her husband and two children. Turner met her husband while living and working in New York City. For five years, Turner worked in the fashion industry primarily working for private label companies. This experience allowed her to fully understand the commercial aspect of this business and how to design something that is truly marketable. Today, her husband, Jim Turner, is CEO of the business. He has played a major role in the growth and strategy of the business. “We never predicted we would one day own a handbag /accessory business together, but it organically worked out that way. We have two different skill sets that seem to complement one another”, states Turner.

Elaine Turner also knew at a young age that starting her own business would be her dream come true. “My family is entrepreneurial and it is second nature for all of us to want to start and run our own businesses”, says Turner.

The spirit of the collection is a reflection of Elaine Turner herself. “Our goal has always been to create a lifestyle brand that focused primarily on accessories and reflected my spirit”, states Turner “I design accessories that I would want to own and wear. I want my customers to walk away feeling good about themselves with a huge smile on their face. It’s really that simple” says Turner.