Lady LUX

Emm Kuo Handbags is only 7 months old, but it’s already causing a commotion in the accessories world due to its exotic textiles and modern designs.

Parsons graduate and designer Emmaline Ranzman always knew she would go into fashion. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, and raised in New York and Hawaii, Ranzman continually felt a connection to the Big Apple and knew that is where she had to be.

After graduating from high school, she retuned to attend New York University, where she majored in design marketing and art history. Originally in the public relations and marketing side of fashion, Ranzman got an internship in London at the renowned LVMH Group, the makers of brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dior.

“It was the best opportunity. I got to see what a big corporation was like, but they’re also so innovative and artistic,” she said. “I got to see how being in fashion and being in design was meant for me.”

Ranzman returned to the mainland, but didn’t go into design immediately. She was offered a job at Entertainment Media Works, where she worked with stylists and designers for a new media start-up.

“The more I worked with stylists and designers, it made me realize how much I wanted to design … My true passion has always been in design,” Ranzman said.

Finally convinced, Ranzman decided to take the risk and not worry about the “starving artist” stereotype.

In 2008 she attended Parsons for a year-long intensive course in which she studied womenswear. Although it didn’t have an accessories emphasis, Ranzman definitely took a liking to the classes. Shortly thereafter, she worked for designer Catharine Malandrino.

“It definitely helped when I was designing my own line,” the 28-year-old designer said. “Catherine is so great with texture and color and mixing materials.”

She was lucky because Malandrino had recently started an accessories line, so Ranzman was able to contribute a great deal to the new division of the label.

Although her aesthetic is very different from Malandrino, Ranzman shares that love of texture and color.

“I always knew I wanted to do exotics, but I wanted to make it more youthful, so I mixed the bubble leather with python and suede,” she said. “I think mixing materials can give it depth and layers.”

She was also very focused on the hardware, which she said “makes a good bag stand out.”

While thumbing through an old book on military jackets, Ranzman was inspired to create her signature Emm Kuo toggle. She then drew it, and had it casted and molded.

Although the designer has fashion experience in almost every category, from marketing to womenswear design, she felt especially drawn to accessories.

“I feel like accessories, especially bags, all types of people can wear them – all ages and all body types,” she said. “When I think of certain bags that I have, a Chanel bag or a Balenciaga, those bags are so timeless that you can pass them on from generation to generation. It has longevity almost.”

Her Spring 2011 will soon be carried at Intermix stores, and she’s produced a few bags to be sold at A Man and A Woman in the West Village.

Her Spring line boast bags in creamy python prints, baby blue suede and glamorous metallics.

She describes her aesthetic as “feminine and romantic, but it’s always been a little bit edgy.”

She revealed that she didn’t want her line to be so strong that women would be afraid to try it, but rather a collection that has a bag for everyone.

“I wanted to create accessories that uptown and downtown girls could both wear,” she said.

Right now the designer is working on Fall/Winter 2011. She hinted at a new suede, some leopard and custom, handpainted pony hair pieces.

“The second collection is more for someone that likes handbags with a strong finish to them,” she explained.

Ranzman said she was inspired by her travels in Asia and old films such as “In the Mood for Love.”

She’s also finalizing plans to present during New York Fashion Week.

For more information on Emm Kuo, visit the website at emmkuo.com.

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Fashion / Features