Orean in New York with Joanna Coles, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire

This is the January 2008 issue that I was in, standing with Joanna Coles in her New York office. They annouced me as the winner of the contest. The whole experience was amazing, there were times when I would just think, Wow! look at God, look where he has brought me all because I didn't give up. This was my first trip to New York and I would of loved to bring someone with me but that was not in the cards. So I went it alone. As I get there for my meeting with them at the Hearst building, I remember just standing in Manhattan looking around trying to take it all in. I'll share more about the trip later. Until next time, know that we have the authority and power.

Orean

My winning handbag for Marie Claire and Glam.com

Orean by Orean Collier
Friday, August 15, 2008


This handbag I named after my grandmother who passed away in April '07. (Lillian) I wanted to do something to honor her for all she had done for me and my daughter in our time of need. She opened up her home to us when we lost everything. I was trying to follow a dream but I did not have a plan and things just began to fall apart.
But family came through for me and my child who was 10 at the time, she's now 13. I never gave up on my dream or my passion for designing handbags, I just needed to regroup, even though my surroundings said one thing, I spoke out of my mouth something else, like no matter what my situation looks like, I'm coming out of this. I'm not staying where I am. Even on the days when I was walking to the bus stop to catch a bus to work because my car was taken away. Every step I said this is just temporary, I'm coming out of this. I knew that God had a bigger plan and purpose for me , I just had to see it for myself and speak it and believe it. That's what I did.
One day while at church a friend of mine saw an article in Marie Claire and said that I should enter. So I did. I remember saying that I was going to be the winner of this handbag contest and I wrote down on the article: YES! because it had the question, "You a handbag designer?If so you could be the winner of a trip to New York and your bag could sell in stores next season.
Anyway long story short after 300 entries across the country and 50,000 votes later I was chosen as the winner and I flew to New York in October of '07. This experience was something that I'll never forget. I now have my handbag boutique and the "Lillian" bag is available in the store.
Until next time
Never Give Up!
Orean

Handbag Boutique- Now Open

I did it! I stepped out in faith and opened up my own handbag boutique here in Chattanooga, TN. I opened the latter part of April . I've been getting a lot of positive feedback on the decor as well as the handbags.

I'm very excited about this new venture in my life and I'm happy to be able to share my passion with others. Sometimes I can't believe that I did it but I did.

I'm getting ready to air a commercial to get more response about the boutique and reach a broader target market. I'm hoping that this will put the word out there even more, to drive more traffic in here.

I'm also preparing for my first Trade Show in October which will be held in Atlanta's AmericasMart. I'm a little nervous as it's unfamiliar terrority, but I believe in my handbags so I just have to go for it. I will keep you posted as how things are coming along.

Well, until next time.

Have a blessed day.

Orean