Meet Kara Ross

Purse Blog: Why the emphasis on exotics?

Kara Ross: Because I think it makes sense with the gem stones which are all hand cut and unique, not man made. They are more expensive, they aren’t as plentiful, as cowhide or calf, but I like that idea. I like that each has its own personality and it makes sense with the tying of the gemstones; and I really don’t want to do mass production.

Purse Blog: As far as exotics go, what is your favorite to work with?

Kara Ross: Honestly, I like them all, but what I think is exciting is to find them in different finishes or techniques for instance the patent ostrich, a silver washed anaconda or something unexpected like sheen. We’ll do some bags that are all croc bags, but most bags are mixed media so I think this makes them interesting. I love and study modern art, I was an art history major and am drawn to that – where you can almost see the hand of the artist in the art. It is limited: limited quantity, limited distribution, I only sell to the best of the best boutiques and stores. That is also important, you want to sell to those who can see your vision, who can support it really well and who want to work with you.

Purse Blog: Having said that, you probably aren’t too keen or emphasize on celebrity exposure that would generate massive numbers or is that something you value?

Kara Ross: Well, I think today, so much of the culture society is very celebrity driven. So, we went out to the Oscars, last year and took a suite at the Sunset Towers. We brought bags out there as well as fine jewelery. I do think it would be great for the brand and brand awareness if celebrities bought them. Oprah, Charlize Theron, and Keira Knightley have bought from our line as well as a few others.

Purse Blog: This isn’t something you actively push?

Kara Ross: No, not usually.

Purse Blog: Like we were saying, some brands really push the celebrity exposure, trying to get that “It Bag”. Sometimes they send out bags to editors and such…

Kara Ross: No, that’s not really what my line is about, I don’t think it will ever be about that. I don’t think I will ever have an “It Bag”. Who knows what people want? I think it is very subjective.

Purse Blog: Who do you envision wearing your bags? What’s your typical customer?

Kara Ross: I have three separate categories now: fine jewelery, handbags, and boutique jewelery which retails for $100-$500. I think the fine jewelery, with the prices of gold being $1000 or $950, frankly people who are going to be wearing my fine jewelery are skewing 35+ because of discretionary income that they would have available. The boutique line of jewelery which launched in June or July is going to be much more accessibly price-wise. It is beautiful and chic and I think it will be a younger market. However, having said that, I think older people will also wear it around. It is good looking enough that whether you have $100,000 of extra money to spend or not you would buy it because it is pretty. So for that particular line I would say 25+. And then for the bags, 30 or 35 and on. Again, we are not talking about a plain leather bag, they are exotic skin bags. Or, even if the primary is a linen, the retail would be close to $2000, so not that many 21 year olds have that kind of discretionary income to spend.

Purse Blog: So, what would you say to somebody who didn’t know your brand and asked you to explain it in a few sentences, what would you describe your look as?

Kara Ross: I would say it is very clean, simple in a way, modern, strong, it focuses on the skins or the gemstones. It has simple geometric lines, not a lot of florals or curving lines – very sleek or modern.

Purse Blog: Where do you gather inspiration – anyone, anywhere, anything?

Kara Ross: Everyday. It just depends on what you expose yourself to. I travel a lot; I was just on a hiking trip in Peru and saw some really interesting things we incorporated into the bags. I was in a museum in the south of France last summer and saw a floor in this fabulous museum. The floor was made of these puzzle pieces, so that’s where this puzzle piece bag came from. I think it just depends. Sometimes you will just see beautiful skins or gemstones which will give you an idea.