In the fashion world, nothing is more satisfying than wearing something that is totally and completely customized to fit your style. The only problem is the price of personalized items can run pretty high. If you’ve been waiting for something exclusive-yet-affordable, Madly-Yours just might be your new go-to brand. Local designer, stylist, and blogger Yael Palma has created a fun and affordable handbag line that is fully customized to fit her customer’s style needs.

Palma launched her handbag line in June 2012 after receiving a large amount of inquiries about her handmade clutches featured on her fashion blog. If you ask her how she learned to make these fabulous clutches, she’ll tell you she likes to think of herself as a “self-taught sewer, seamstress, designer extraordinaire.”

Palma creates a variety of different styles, from neon and gunmetal combos to leather fringe and pastel chevron prints.

“I believe fashion is all about pulling the right pieces together, but confidence is pulling them off. I love experimenting with fashion by juxtaposing the unlikeliest prints, colors, metals, etc. My clutches are a direct reflection of my personal style along with the trends I encounter in my daily life. They are always evolving and always the cherry on top of a great outfit,” said Palma.

Dig recently had the pleasure of meeting with Palma to style a photo shoot and talk about her brand. Here is what she had to say.

DIG: I see you opened your Etsy shop on June 11, 2012. What pushed you to open up your own online shop, and were you selling your designs prior to that date?

Yael Palma: I originally made clutches for myself, but as soon as I started showcasing my designs on my fashion blog, people were contacting me with sale inquiries. Creating an Etsy shop was the next logical step to take until my official website is up and running.

DIG: Were you nervous to start selling your own designs?

YP: Since I started Madly-Yours before my last semester in school, I never had enough time to get nervous about it. If I wasn’t studying, I was fulfilling orders. It just became my daily routine.

DIG: What is your best seller?

YP: Best sellers would have to be the Cajun Shrimp Flat Clutch with the Peach and Neon stripe clutches at a tie for second place.

DIG: What is the process for making each clutch?

YP: I always have a large supply of materials in stock. Once the design is created, it’s just a matter of cutting and sewing.

DIG: What is the best compliment you’ve received from a customer?

YP: I’ve heard stories of attempted thefts of my clutches. While I would never condone that sort of behavior, it was flattering to hear that people wanted my designs that badly.

DIG: What is your favorite part about owning your own business?

YP: Being able to put my designer hat on, work on my own schedule, and the freedom of being able to work from anywhere allows me to travel.

DIG: What do you think sets Madly-Yours apart from other handbag brands?

YP: The ability to customize an entire handbag, not just one small aspect, which allows me to collaborate with consumers.

DIG: What are your long-term goals for Madly-Yours?

YP: I plan on expanding my designs from clutches to every type of purse imaginable.

DIG: What kind of challenges have you faced starting your own business?

YP: I see most challenges as a learning experience. I’m lucky enough to have very business savvy and creative people in my life to help guide me in the right direction.

DIG: If you weren’t running Madly-Yours right now, what would you be doing?

YP: If I weren’t running Madly-Yours right now, I would probably be styling full-time and designing during my off time.

DIG: What is your current favorite clutch design?

YP: I’ve been working on the newest Madly-Yours collection ever since my New York trip earlier this month. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that I recently received a shipment of real leather and amazing hardware from NYC.

DIG: Which aspect of your business are you most proud of and why?

YP: The fact that I was able to take an autodidactic skill and create my own brand is more than enough for me to be proud of.

DIG: Considering the fact that your brand is so new, how do you drive sales to your website?

YP: Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, along with my blog [www.Madly-Yours.Blogspot.com] allow me to advertise my newest designs on a large scale.

DIG: If you could design a clutch for a celebrity or fashion icon, who would it be and what would the design look like?

YP: Beyoncé of course! It would be a mixture of the finest leather with metallic embellishments, channeling inspiration from performance wardrobe.

DIG: Have you ever thought of designing more than just handbags? If so, what is next?

YP: I grew up sketching dresses, skirts, tops, the whole 9 yards. So I would love to expand the Madly-Yours brand beyond handbags one day.

You can view Palma’s entire clutch collection and purchase from her Etsy shop atwww.Etsy.com/Shop/MadlyYoursShop.

Photos by: Kaela Rodehorst Williams

Good Morning readers, this is my latest article in Dig magazine on Yael Palma of Madly-Yours.  In case, you didn’t see my last Dig post,  I repost all of my articles that I write for Dig Baton Rouge magazine on my blog every so often for all those of you who don’t live in the area, but still wish to read my articles!   Also, you can always go to www.digbatonrouge.com, click on News Mag and search my articles under Entertainment!

 If you’re a fan of Madly-Yours clutches, you’re in luck because you can win one on Haute Off The Rack! Just  enter the Madly-Yours giveaway to win the Gunmetal & Citron Chevron Clutch by clicking the ad below!

Check out more photos of the Gunmetal & Citron Chevron clutch below from a previous style collaboration Yael and I did together!