Kustom-Designed Exclusivity
Retro design doesn’t just manifest in A-line dresses. Jenny Parker, founder and designer of Trophy Queen, makes a range of handbags and tote bags that combine vintage bowling-bag shapes with automotive styling.
Parker has been in business for three years and, along with one assistant, sells 15 to 20 bags a month from her Ventura, Calif., studio. Like other small retro designers, her sales are driven by her attendance at car and music festivals and by the almighty Web page—in this case, trophyqueen.com.
Because she makes bags herself, often to a customer’s whims, clients “feel like they’re getting something that’s made specifically for them,” Parker said.
The price isn’t cheap, though. Handbags can cost $225.
“I think if you flood the market with something cool, after a year or two, people don’t want it anymore,” Parker said. “[My stuff is] obtainable, but it’s not shoved in your face like the Gap.”
So for now, at least, Parker is content to remain exclusive.
“If someone came to me and said, ’I want 10,000 handbags,’ I’d probably have a heart attack.” —Christian M. Chensvold
