Girl Power: Kacy Yom Handbags

Photos courtesy of Kacy Yom

This post is a bit of a love letter, actually. It is a celebration of all the amazing women business owners, artists and entrepreneurs that I know and admire. The power and creativity of these women are an inspiration to me every day, especially on those days when I am working alone in my home office wondering if anyone is even reading these musings I write. I know the amount of multitasking that is required by those who have commitments of work and family and yet still pursue their dreams and creative endeavors.

Most of all, I admire authenticity and originality. The people that I most love are those who are their true selves, and the only competition they are in is with themselves. When you are comfortable in your own skin you radiate something that makes the world around you move towards your light. And last but not least, laughter. I love a lady that makes me laugh. It truly is the best medicine.

And speaking of amazing women, recently I had the privildge of attending the launch of the first collection by Seattle handbag designer Kacy Yom. The collection, Soh-Lee, 소리, “Voice or Sound” in Korean, features a series of structured, modern bags with great attention to detail. Yom's own vision for a chic luxury handbag was inspired by her mother's love of beautifully made bags. I admire that she researched long and hard to find the best materials and just the right factory to bring her prototype to life, and that she didn't settle for anything less than the best.

From the handcrafted finishes on each bag, including a "Y" sewed onto the front flap, signature hardware and versatility like removable straps, Yom has hit the perfect combination of stylish beauty and functionality that make her luxury bags stand apart.

I loved pairing this bag with two different looks based on a the what jacket I chose, one classic, and one more unexpected. My look includes leather trousers and a gorgeous tweed Lanvin coat, two fabulous pieces from Seattle designer consignment superstar, Mary Bridget Pehl of MB Finds. I have said it before, consignment has completely altered my closet and I love Mary Bridget, an entrepreneur whose knowledge of design houses runs deep. It is always a pleasure to shop with her.

My red Aquazzura Downtown Spice red suede ankle booties were a find from The Nordstrom Rack downtown (available at the above link as well) and couldn't believe my luck. Someone had abandoned these pristine boots in the wrong place and I grabbed them. I adore the lower cut of the boots, which skim your ankle bone, making them perfect for pairing with both cropped trousers or a dress. Since suede is a year round look, I will be able to incorporate these sexy little shoes into my spring and summer looks too.

Instagram is really one of my biggest style inspiration go-tos, and it is a great way to connect with cool blogs and style news. Recently my friend Allison and I ventured to a new Seattle shop we had been following on Insta, Emry Boutique. Allison bought a fabulous black and white summer dress because she told me she was done with sweaters, but since I am never done with sweaters I dove right in to the cozy stuff. I bought the fabulous Lovers and Friends Maxine Sweater that has an epic bell sleeve, in of course my favorite color, gray. Incidentally, Emry has this sweater in a dress version as well.

And while the Lavin jacket had to go over my shoulders because of above-mentioned epic sleeves, my Nike Sportswear Tech Fleece AeroLoft Women's Down Cape was the perfect solution. The sleeves almost look like they are part of the cape, and considering it was less than 30 degrees during our photoshoot, that was perfect. It is a bit like a sleeping bag with arms and a collar, but I love to mix sportswear with high fashion. I get tons of compliments when I wear this poncho and even though I know it isn't sexy, it is a cool way to stay warm. The unexpected pairing of the plum coat with the red boots makes this look chic and fun. Both of these looks show off one of my favorites handbags from Kacy Yom's first collection, the chic Cho-Rong mini cross body bag.

Cheers to the all the creative women in our community and to friendship, love, and determination. Keep doing what you love. Get to know the inspiring, hardworking and inspirational women in your own community, and support their businesses, art and creative endeavors.

Be stylish, be beautiful, be you, no matter how many candles are on your birthday cake. xx

Photography courtesy of Kacy Yom.