BowensBergeron ~ the must have Clutch

[caption id="attachment_7611" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="The Sophisticate. Carved Couture"]carved-couture-sophisticate-tamara-bowens-ray-bergeron-fashionado[/caption]

What do you get when you cross a Harvard MBA holding fashionista with a woodworking artisan: BowensBergeron Carved Couture - the most stylish, exquisitely crafted, wooden clutches you will ever find. They are sleek, sexy and sock you with a punch of color on the inside.

Designer Tamara Bowens and I sat down to chat about the unique clutches. The only thing sweeter than the tasty sugar-rimmed margaritas we enjoyed was the opportunity to see and hold these clutches up close and personal.

Can you speak about Carved Couture's aesthetic approach?

Bowens: We try and keep the natural beauty of the wood by featuring the wood grain, though we do paint some of the clutches. Nonetheless, every clutch is different, every one original.

Where are the clutches manufactured?

Bowens: Here! Made in the USA. They are produced by my business partner, Ray Bergeron. He's a custom furniture designer. That's his background. So he's the production end while I handle the design and marketing.

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[caption id="attachment_7613" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="The Connoisseur in Zebrawood."]carved-couture-connoisseur-tamara-bowens-ray-bergeron-fashionado[/caption]

 




[caption id="attachment_7614" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="The Jetsetter in Purple Heart."]carved-couture-jetsetter-tamara-bowens-ray-bergeron-fashionado[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_7622" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="The Socialite in Zebrawood."]carved-couture-socialite-tamara-bowens-ray-bergeron-fashionado[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_7623" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="The Aficionada in painted Zebrawood. Also stunning in natural grain."]carved-couture-aficionada-tamara-bowens-ray-bergeron-fashionado[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_7624" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="The Trendsetter."]carved-couture-trendsetter-tamara-bowens-ray-bergeron-fashionado[/caption]

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What advice can you give to young people, aspiring designers and minorities about fulfilling the American Dream?

Bowens: Its funny, most people only see the success from my hard work and assume I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I grew up in a small town in Texas but I've always known what I've wanted and had a great support system to keep me on track. Anything you want in life, no matter how unattainable it seems, you can get it through hard work. The pie is big enough for everybody. So how do you inspire the next generation? By leading by example.

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