Interview with Tina Frantz Designs

Tina Frantz Designs is based in San Diego and was launched in 2012 selling handbags on Etsy. At our 5^th annual Spring Xposure event, we at FINE magazine collaborated with wonderful designers. One polished and well-presented designer that stood out to us was Tina Frantz Designs. We interviewed Tina Frantz herself about her company. During the interview, Frantz speaks of her background in the interior design/furniture industry, her passion to use her creativity while prioritizing sustainability, and upcoming handcrafted handbags to look out for!

How did you get the inspiration to start your own brand?

I got the inspiration to start my own brand while working as an Interior Designer both in Manhattan and here in Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla. I saw an amazing opportunity to join in the global push for sustainable design with the beautiful swatches that were discarded regularly by furniture companies and fabric mills. In experimenting with them and discovering that they were the perfect size for handbags, my brand was born. 

On March 31^st, you participated in the Spring Xposure event and had your handbags presented. What was it like to come out for our event?

So much fun! I love to be present and represent my company at local fashion events; it's such a good way to get exposure, network, and have a blast all at the same time. The fashion show was very well done, [the] atmosphere was lively, and the crowd was great!

How has sustainability as a mission impacted your business?

It's done more than impact my business; it's the very crux of my business! And while I manage pitfalls because of that, I'm as passionate about the repurposing that I do as I am about the designs I create. What I didn't expect was how much I would be supported by the community. I've had so many folks who like what I'm doing step forward and donate fabrics... everyone from textile representatives from huge fabric houses to interior designers in the industry, to people just clearing out their garage and [are] happy to see the material put to good use. All of this has kept me in business and solidified my mission every step of the way.

It seems the Leather Fringe Pocahontas Clutch Pull Up Leather bag is a popular and trendy item! Are all of your handmade handbags one of a kind or are there multiples?

I have several styles that remain the same. The Annalis Tote Bag, Mechelle Shoulder Bag, and Luella Clutch are always the same bag, just in different prints and colors. The Leather clutches that I do, however, are absolutely one-of-a-kind. I love to work with the natural raw edge of a hide and let it be my guide, so no two will ever be alike.  Whatever leather I get my hands on is also hard to come by again, so I encourage people to grab it if they really like it, because it likely won't be seen again!  

What style and target audience do you generally attribute your curated brand with? 

My customer shops at Anthropologie, not Nordstroms. She's not a 'label junkie' as much as a strong individual stylist with an independent eye and an appreciation for unique looks, a little bit of vintage styling, and quality design and textiles. And she knows you can never have too many handbags. 

What do you have planned for 2016?

It's definitely a year of growth for me. I started some more serious wholesaling this year and plan to build that out while continuing to do consumer shows and local events. I'm also really excited about the new design I'll be adding to my collection this summer...  It's a smaller evening clutch modeled after a beautiful vintage purse I got from my mother with a lipstick mirror. It's called the Mitchell, and she's going to be gorgeous!!!

Who doesn’t love handbag shopping? You can connect with Tina Frantz Designs on her Etsy store.