New York Experience

Joanna Coles and I in her New York Office, "The closet", also an image of "Central Park", as well as the New York Taxi which I got this pictures from my hotel room. I stayed in the posh hotel called "The Hudson".
Once we left the photo shoot we went back to the office and I was then escorted to their beauty closet where I was told to fill up a bag of goodies. I got a really cool "Guess" make-up bag with several make-up brushes included. I picked up lots of eyeshadows, and eyebrow creams. Lipsticks, creams. I picked up a few things for my daughter too! My Marie Claire bag was pretty full. Thanks Marie Claire :)
We then got another taxi, this time to go to see Cynthia Rowleys showroom. She has a really beautiful boutique by the way. I saw her new spring/summer line which was fabulous. Her clothes are amazing and the bags are really great!





The assistant to the accessories editor was very helpful to me, she gave me lots of good advice and how to go about doing things, what they look for.

After that I was told that they had a camera crew there and they wanted to interview me and ask me if I were up to it. Of, course :) anyway went into this conference room and shot the interview. You can view this on "Youtube". You can goolge my name and you'll see the youtube botton for my piece.
All of this was such an awesome experience for me and I will always have these memories. Thanks Marie Claire and Glam.com
I was just contacted by "Black Enterprise" magazine and I'm excited about that. So I look forward to that article as well. I will let you know how things are going with that.
Well, stay focused and keep believing.
Orean

Trip to New York with Marie Claire Magazine

Once I enter the Hearst Building I signed in and went to the Marie Claire offices. I was so amazed that I was there in New York for something like this. The accessories editor came out and met with me and she began to show me around and introduce me to everyone.

We went into what they call "The Closet" which showcases the designers products that could be featured in the magazine. I mean they had everything, from "Christain Louboutin" shoes to "Chanel" clutch bags, fabulous jewelry, you name it they had it.

They went on to explain how everything works.

After that I was introduced to Joanna Coles, editor-in-chief, and as I was standing in her office, I just began thinking, this is truly a blessing to be here, getting to meet these people in the industry and talk to them and share my passion for what I do and did for this contest. Her office had an amazing view by the way. I recently saw a photo in their magazine where Joanna was talking to Senator Hillary Clinton and I was like whoa, I was in there also, like all the other famous people that she has come across there, and I was there too! Anyway we talked for a little while, she wanted to know what I liked ot didn't like about the magazine. She shared with me that she really liked my handbag and thought that I did an amazing job. She is a really together lady.

Then it was on to the next thing, which was going on a photo shoot for the magazine. Which was in the "Soho" area. As we are getting into the taxi, I'm looking all around trying to take this all in. It was just such a wonderful experience. We get to the place and the photographer is there with her assistance and a model and the fashion stylist. It was in this really cool studio apartment. Everything that I saw is in the January 2008 issue.

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