Elizabeth Laine is bringing fashion and philanthropy together with her Elizabeth Laine handbag line. Full of bold color and shape, her handbags also come with care packages that are given out to those in need on Skid Row.
Fashion has always been a part of Laine’s life. When she was a kid, she would watch her grandmother make clothes for her and her sister. The Los Angeles native’s grandmother was a seamstress, home economics teacher, and poet.
“I had a very crafty grandmother,” said Laine. “I was always inspired by her creativity,”
Laine wanted to be a stylist at the beginning of her career, but after studying the industry and learning about all of the different designers, she knew that she wanted to make some designs of her own. Fashion is often associated with clothes, but for Laine, the outfit is all about the accessories.
“I’ve always been obsessed with accessories more than clothing,” said Laine. “Whenever I get ready to go out, it’s the first thing I think of. It’s always about the handbag, so it was just natural for me to have a handbag line.”
Laine started off selling her handbags in the clothing boutique that she worked at. The reaction from buyers was so great that she knew she could have a successful line. After a grueling process of finding good contractors and manufacturers, Laine opened for business online. Her handbags feature bold solid color along with structured, sleek shapes.
“I always try to create something that is a classic style and that could be worn for many years to come,” said Laine. “I’m inspired by colors. I’m inspired by art. I’m inspired by many things but usually it’s structure, it has to do with shapes and it has a lot of color to stand out.”
For every handbag that is sold, Laine creates care packages for the homeless on Skid Row. Three years ago, she spent her birthday giving back and feeding the homeless. It became a tradition and last year Laine added to it by creating care packages that she personally hands out on Skid Row. The care packages contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, lip-balm, soap, deodorant, socks, razors, hand sanitizer and sanitary napkins.
“They need food but they also need hygienic products, so at the end of the month, I tally how many orders there were and I go to the Skid Row area and hand out care packages,” said Laine. “I give them to the people who are most in need and the ones who I feel don’t go to the shelters, the ones who I feel really, really need the help the most.”
Laine’s passion is to help people feel better about themselves. She wants to give hope to those who think that they have been forgotten and feel that they can’t connect with anyone.
For more information on how you can get involved with the fashion and compassion movement, visit www.elizabethlaine.com.
