If you haven't checked out the windows of Bond St (they went up this weekend), then you're missing out as there is an amazing installation of handbag designer and artist Andrea Tobin who has created the phenomenal line, Marla Cielo. In essence she paints amazing pieces on her canvas of fabrics and then cuts them into bags! This way you have something from a very specific collection while also having a one of a kind piece at the same time! We had to sit down and talk with this phenom designer and artist and find out the usual questions that have our interest!
Of course you can't have a conversation without asking someone about their favorite meal and based on her description alone, I'm super excited to try out what Andrea loves, "My mind keeps going straight to dessert so I’m going to run with it – the carrot cake at 10 Downing. The frosting is the best I’ve ever tasted, not too sweet but perfect consistency, and last time it came with caramel ice cream which was to die for. I also love the vibe of the restaurant and appreciate the owner’s efforts to showcase original works of local and established artists on the walls. In my world, carrot cake and artwork go hand in hand." I have a few guilty pleasures but I love that her #1 pleasure especially in the winter is her ‘movie in a bath’ routine. She props a screen on her sink at the perfect vantage point from the tub, turning off the lights, sipping red wine, and watching a movie, or lately multiple episodes of Mad Men, for probably too many hours at a time. What a great way to enjoy fashion and style all in the same place! Just like most of us, where would we be without phones, her iPhone allows her to take tons of photos and videos and post them simultaneously to Facebook and Twitter (thank you Hootsuite). Travel is a big part of the Marla brand and nothing makes her happier than bringing her to new places and filming or photographing her with the locals. She captured some great iPhone content in India over the holidays and the photos have been priceless. Along with loving the phone for her connections, she loves Cheers to Swipe. This app keeps her very happy and relatively organized, at least with the financials. Swipe is directly linked to her merchant account and then a little console for her phone so she can accept credit cards and process transactions on the fly. Each purchase takes under 3 seconds and the app logs all the payment history so she can easily add everything up when it’s time to report income to the authorities. Love this and super essential to know!
She has such a passion and love for Marla. "I love what she stands for and I love that the fashion and consumer market is in line with her goals. My biggest devotion is original art as fashion and I truly believe in the energy that is created when products are made from scratch. There is an overwhelming sense of purpose that comes from creating and building things hands on and I’m thrilled that this concept is making a comeback." Although she is adding her mark to the fashion and art industries, we all need a break so I had to know, where is she going on her next vacation - "Funny I was just thinking about that. I’m dying to go back to Mumbai, I only got a night there when I was in India this winter. Other than that, Namibia is probably next on the list. I got a chance to see wild elephants and a tiger in Mysore and I’m dying for another opportunity to watch big game animals in their natural environment and to study their social habits and patterns."
With some one doing so much we have to know what to excpect. Look out for more gadget related bags and computer / Ipad sleeves from Marla and hold your breath for ‘Marla for Man’, she's so excited to launch a line of accessories that bring original art and Marla’s inspiration to men’s pockets and murses... If she had the opportunity to have anyone as the face of her brand, "same answer every time, Helena Bonham Carter. I love the spirit she reflects in her movies and I know she would connect with the deeper social and artistic goals of Marla Cielo. Maybe you can give her a ring for me ☺."
If you love finding out about Andrea, make sure that you check out Colin, mixologist for U'Luvka and star of Cocktail Kings on the Discovery Channel from last week.
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