Audience Selected Handbag Favorite winner at the 2007 Independent Handbag Designer Awards . Designer on The Rise Reader's Choice winner based from StyleBakery.com's Designer on The Rise Awards. It's been quite a year for Elezar Handbags and its co-founder Julie Lazarus.
Lazarus, a graphics designer by day for Niche Media, and her childhood friend Ester Barron (who's a lawyer and professor) launched Elezar in the fall 2005. The line has gained a loyal following of bagistas and one major bagisto - Leonardo DiCaprio. Leo recently spotted an Elezar handbag at a press event and snatched one of for his lovely mom.
I initially met Julie right after he big win at the Independent Handbag Designer Awards. We later met up for a delighter lunch in New York City. Naturally more bag scoop was being digested than actual food - we couldn't help ourselves.
BagTrends: Why did you start designing?
Julie Lazarus: I am a graphic designer by training, but took a shoe making and handbag course and loved the challenge of it and discovered I was pretty good at it.
BT: What’s your design philosophy?
Julie: Keep designing till it sticks. I draw and draw and draw until I keep going back to the same design.
BT: What do love about your fall / winter 2007 line?
Julie: All the grey patent. I couldn't wait until it finally came out for the whole world! I also love my evening bag and the medium Morgan. I love the shapes on both and the pleated leather on the evening bag is gorgeous.
BT: Do you follow trends? Hot colors from the runway / what celebs wear?
Julie: Yes if everyone out there is buying a pink dress you need to have a bag that goes with that dress. Following the trends helps you get the customer what they need.
BT: Describe the Elezar girl.
Julie: She is someone who works hard and plays hard. She is fashion forward and loves to go out on the town. She likes to make a statement with her wardrobe.
BT: What would you say to an aspiring design student?
Julie: Be as creative as possible in school and definitely get an internship at a big and small company. I also think you should work at a manufacturing company of factory so you really learn this business inside and out. (BT two scents: I agree 100% and would add that you should also intern at a pr firm and a showroom. Learn this business from every angle because that will really give you an edge when you launch your fashion business.)
BT: What are your in your bag essentials? 
Julie: I can't live without my treo. I also carry a small make-up bag and plenty of business cards.
BT: What's the next big trend for handbags?
Julie: Elezar, of course. :) But, also yellow (BT side note: I concur!) and faux leather bags will become main stream.
BT: Complete the following sentences. My personal style is ...
Julie: easy going fashionable
BT: I'm motivated by ...
Julie: fun and learning
BT: My prized possession is ...
Julie: letters my father sends me
BT:My role models are ...
Julie: Carlos Falchi ane Diane von Furstenberg
BT: Aside from your own bags, what other handbag brands do you wear or admire? 
Julie: do not feel right carrying any bag but my own.
BT: If you could put any woman in your bag who would it be and why?
Julie: DVF, she is smart, sexy, a great designer and I bet she would be very vocal about her thoughts on things. It would be an adventure.
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