PB: When you paint some of these handbags, how long does it take you?
CF: Well, I am pretty quick – I’m used to it. I pain the skins first and then build the bag. My hope in the beginning was to change every color. Also, I had to use the piece of the skin I had because I didn’t have any money. I had to use what I had.
PB: When you started the boutique, were you still doing clothing?
CF: I did clothing, but Bendel’s really pushed me into the handbag business. At that time, there really wasn’t such a thing as a new handbag designer. To everyone else, it was like I was doing something that was completely nuts.
PB: Now you stick to bags. I heard you were getting back to shoes, are you going to do that again?
CF: Yeah, shoes and gloves. I’ve been doing gloves for a while.
PB: You’ve been at this location for a while?
CF: I have close to 7 years. But I have factories all over the place – all New York.
PB: When you were talking about your clothing, you mentioned patchwork. What was the style of clothing?
CF: Everything was pretty free form. At first, I didn’t even know how to put zippers in the pants. I would lace everything up, it was very rock-n-roll. I’ve not big into hardware. Even with the handbags, I very rarely use hardware.
PB: Right, I very rarely see hardware on your bags. You really utilize the skins.
CF: In the olden days, we really never used hardware – I wanted the focus to be on the skins.
PB: How many pieces do you have in the Metropolitan Museum of Art?
CF: Five. Basically bags. This is another place where America gives such great opportunity – to evolve.
PB: You have your own niche. Do you have a favorite exotic skin to use?
CF: I am a product of the 60s so I am always very aware of the environment and animals. Everything that I use here is farmed, nothing is wild. I am very involved with the farms. The ecological part of the business is something i am very interested and involved in. The species I use is based on how available they are.
PB: Working with the material, do you have a favorite or least favorite?
CF: No, not really. I like everything. At this point, if there is something I want to use or work with, I will make it work. The skins tell me a lot. I look at it, I see it, I talk to it. My kids make fun of me because I talk to the skins.
PB: Are all of the skins easy to absorb the color?
CF: It has been a long process to learn how to use and work with color. I don’t use any harsh chemicals or dyes. It is important to touch and use the bags. The more you use it, the softer it will feel. Don’t be afraid to touch the bags and really use the bags!
