Friday Favorites: Kelly Wynne + Giveaway

We love products that are a true reflection of their makers, and Austin-based designer Kelly Wynne Ferguson’s handbag line is just that. Her Texas roots, her background in visual arts and graphic design, her passion for dressing up, and her effervescent personality are evident in the colors, textures, and special design elements employed throughout her collections, and the value she places on personal relationships and her commitment to quality are clear in the handbags themselves, which are manufactured in the United States under Ferguson’s watchful eye.

Dubbed the “Accessories Queen” by her friends long before her line even launched, Ferguson, an Austin native who at the time was working as a graphic artist at a PR firm in Dallas, began her journey to becoming a handbag designer by reaching out to fashion industry insiders seeking information and advice that she now describes as “invaluable.” After building her network of advisors, Ferguson channeled her love of stylish accessories and her design talents into her debut collection, which she launched just over a year ago in her hometown.

To say it’s been a successful year would be an understatement. Kelly Wynne bags can now be found in specialty boutiques across the country, including Alice Blue of TSG Chattanooga, CoatTails of TSG Jackson, and Valentine’s Too of TSG Austin (as well as online); she was named a 2014 “Rising Star” at Austin Fashion Week; and her new evening bag collection, AfterGLOW, was featured in the September issue of Southern Living magazine. “The results have been gratifying beyond my wildest dreams,” Ferguson says.

To help TSG readers get their accessories closet ready for fall, we’re partnering with Kelly Wynne for a back-to-school bag giveaway. Details on how to enter are below, but first, we asked the busy designer and entrepreneur to share some of her current inspirations and obsessions:

5 Favorites from Kelly Wynne

Favorite sources of inspiration: I find inspiration in many different ways, but mostly in my every day life – running errands, mingling with friends, traveling, painting, and more. I look for luxe patterns in nature and interiors that catch my eye. I am able to work from these natural patterns and develop my own, putting the Kelly Wynne twist on a new design.
Favorite fall fashion trends: Metallics! The Metallic Straight Up collection includes all the fabulous metal tones, including rose gold, gold, bronze and copper! My favorite fall fashion color is rust. I have learned that it can work as a pop of color or a neutral, which is the best fashion “color” of all.
Favorite Austin hidden gem: I would have to say my favorite hidden gem is a food truck on South Congress called Mighty Cone. The owner, Hudson’s On The Bend (one of my all time favorite Austin restaurants), started this food truck years ago, and I have grown up eating multiple crunchy chicken cones!
Favorite place to travel: Nantucket. It’s the most beautiful, peaceful island and the weather is phenomenal! It’s a nice escape.
Favorite memory since launching your handbag line: Seeing one of my own designs in public for the first time! It was so surreal!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED…

Here’s how you can enter to win a “Pop The Champagne Shoulder” in leopard print calf hair (featured above):
1. Follow Kelly Wynne & TSG on instagram here and here.
2. Share the above image and tag it #wynneabag on instagram.

One winner will be chosen on Friday, October 17, 2014, at 2 p.m. EST. Open to U.S. residents only.