“Until I find a style I truly love, I will continue making one of a kind.” Sheri Sopczak
Noblivity Spotlights Emerging Designer Sheri Sopczak
Company/Designer Name: Chicks and Girlies | Sheri Sopczak
Designer Background Summary: No formal design education
How did you get started? My Mom has been a handbag designer for as long as I can remember so I kind of grew up with it … like having another sibling! I tried making a few handbags a couple years ago out of fabric but wasn’t very good I didn’t think, so being discouraged I went on with life. In December of 2009 my mother shared some leather with me as I was bursting with ideas and didn’t know how to express them. So I quickly made myself my first Leather Handbag, posted it to Facebook and within an hour it had sold. That was the start! Everything has moved very, very quickly from there and I am thrilled with the response everyone is having to Chicks & Girlies! It is a wonderful feeling to have people appreciate what you create.
What inspires your designs? Colors, moods, feelings, passions… Life. I just look at the leather and I know what I’m going to create.
How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer? My handbags are all one-of-a-kind designs no pattern is used so it is impossible to recreate. I couldn’t draw a picture of what the bags will look like when I am done as I don’t even know until it is finished. I cut each piece as I need it and I love doing it this way… It feels like a mystery I am about to solve the entire way through! So I don’t think I have found my style yet and I think that this is also what inspires me …not having a set style is freeing…so far anyway! I don’t have a target audience, It’s my hope that I can create something for everyone.
What designers inspire you? I try not to pay attention to other designers for fear of copying anyone else’s style. Rather I just watch people, how they wear their clothes, the attitudes they portray and radiance they exude. It’s the power of confidence these women feel that inspires me to create.
What obstacles did you have to overcome? Well, I design one-of-a-kind handbags… this takes time as I cannot mass produce one design. Until I find a style I truly love, I will continue making one of a kind.
How did you overcome them? Take it one day at a time, one Handbag at a time!
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far? I was just asked by Anita Talbert, Executive Producer of the Oscar Suite of 100 Stars, to have my Chicks and Girlies bags at the 2010 Pre Oscar Gifting Suite for the stars and media. Very exciting to say the least!
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far? I don’t think I have had enough time to change anything yet!!
If money were no object what would you do right now? Hire a cleaning lady and a chief so I could sew all day and all night (with of course time for my 3 amazing daughters,son and wonderful husband in between!) Each purse in like reading a great book you can’t put down until it’s done! It’s all I want to do!
What are the best and worst things about being a designer? Loving every minute so far! Didn’t know there could be a worst part!
What’s your philosophy of life? Be nice…
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? Be more prepared! I didn’t even know if people would like them so when they did, I definitely wasn’t well enough prepared!
When will you know you have made it? Oh my goodness… I never even thought about that! Everyone is saying everything is happening so fast with Chicks & Girlies “like those lucky people you see on OPRAH”… so I guess when I get on OPRAH… then I will know I have made it!!
