Christina grew up in Seattle. Her father was an industrial, interior designer and her mother, a Wellesley graduate. At age 5 she visited NYC with her Mom and older sister, touring Manhattan in her Aunt’s convertible. While gazing at the skyscrapers, she was mesmerized and knew that one day she would move there. After 2 years at Washington State University in Pullman, WA, she furthered her education at the School of Fashion Design in Boston. Christina then moved to New York City, fulfilling her dream. Now in Pittsburgh, where she raised her son, Christina focuses her talents on designing and manufacturing handbags and accessories.
Christina’s first bag
At the beginning, Christina’s bags were made of rabbit fur with taffeta lining. She sold 75 to friends and customers over the course of 2 years, starting at age 16. Shortly after, the bag appeared in Seattle’s Frederick & Nelson’s department store. Somehow, the handbag had been seen and copied. The ultimate compliment!
School of Fashion Design
For Christina, attending the School of Fashion Design in Boston was an invaluable experience. While in school, she learned a great deal, worked hard, and displayed her creativity without restraints, bringing her knowledge to her career. It was a two- or three-year program, and she opted to combine her second and third years. For Christina, a trip to Europe to see fashion houses such as Givenchy and Emilio Pucci and to see other countries' trends for the first time was such an amazing opportunity. In exchange for a nominal fee, the school-sponsored a 15-day tour of London, Paris, Florence, and Rome. She is forever grateful for the sacrifice her parents made for her.
While working in the garment industry in Boston, Christina realized that the city was too small compared to New York City; fitting garments to individuals was not something she was interested in. Now in the handbag industry, all the information Christina gained, such as how to create a tuxedo from sketch to pattern to finished garment, was not wasted. Despite never taking formal classes in handbag design or leather manufacturing, Christina was able to effectively and beautifully apply her knowledge to the trade she has chosen.
Dress that changes into a top with culottes, created first as an idea, then a sketch, a painted fashion "plate", a pattern, then the finished garment.
"Playing with Cards" theme for Christina's Designer's Line. From sketch to fashion "plate" to pattern to finished garment fitted to the model. 700 hours outside regular class hours and assignments.
Sketch of the "Ace" dress before the pattern and construction was completed.
Original Design
Pink satin outfit designed, constructed, and modeled by Christina
In 2020 the school highlighted alumni with feature stories each month.
Career in NYC
Christina had just moved to NYC from Boston, where she had worked in the garment industry for several years. While walking down the street, she noticed some bags in a store window. They were Pierre Cardin's handbags. She thought, "These are rather boring, I could do better.". She called and asked for an interview and was hired as the Assistant Designer. On 87th Street, Christina found a one-bedroom apartment with a loft on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
With all the energy, excitement, and interesting people she met while living in New York City, she knew it was her favorite place. Christina was trained by a master in the trade at Pierre Cardin Handbags, a man from Bulgaria. The first sample was made as he taught her, and then she would go on to instruct the factory workers how to assemble the 12 salesmen's samples. After 18 months, when the Designer left, she was promoted to the Designer position. A buying trip to Europe to see fashion trends followed soon after. Rome, Florence, Milan, Barcelona, and Paris were the cities visited. Meeting and chatting with Pierre Cardin in Paris was a definite high point! She found him very involved in his work and had a great sense of humor.
Following that she became a designer for Ronay Handbags, creating a bag featured in an advertisement for No Nonsense Pantyhose. At the time Christina was hired, the bags were made in the USA. A switch to Asian Imports took place during that time, which increased the amount of business. Liaison between Calvin Klein and the Omega Belt and Handbag factory was the next position. Being able to work with Calvin Klein and his design team and interpreting his instructions was a very rewarding experience for Christina. Another aspect of the job involved designing a line of leather bags for career women. Living and working in New York City was incredible. Although she wished she could have stayed longer, she met the man she would marry, they moved, and they had a son.
Pittsburgh is now home. She enjoys living close by her son and his family, and creating and manufacturing bags, mainly from repurposed interior design fabric samples and vintage carpet, trimmed in leather. She also has a line of leather bags.
