Jane is one of the nicest designers I have met. She does not take herself too seriously, is easy going and very cheerful. Her favorite colour is pink, which in her native Hong Kong is associated with good luck.
She is the founder of Jeanne Lottie Fashion – a handbag and accessory line she started in the basement of her sister’s house with just $5,000. I asked her about the name, it's apparently a combination of her name and her sister’s (Charlotte). In Cantonese it means ‘true happiness’ - no need to focus-group that one!
Before the interview we chatted about Hong Kong, I told her about my recent trip there, my project there and how much I enjoyed the energy of the city and its historic role as bridge between the Orient and the West. Hong Kong gave Jane much of her vigour and creative spark, elements of her native culture creep into her designs. Jane comes from a family of established business folk, creativity and being a business woman are in her blood.
She spoke at length about her journey to Toronto via Oregon, where she went to university with her high school sweetheart. When that romance fizzled, her sister lured her to Toronto claiming the city had an endless supply of eligible bachelors. She hopped on the next plane.
She is the founder of Jeanne Lottie Fashion – a handbag and accessory line she started in the basement of her sister’s house with just $5,000. I asked her about the name, it's apparently a combination of her name and her sister’s (Charlotte). In Cantonese it means ‘true happiness’ - no need to focus-group that one!
Before the interview we chatted about Hong Kong, I told her about my recent trip there, my project there and how much I enjoyed the energy of the city and its historic role as bridge between the Orient and the West. Hong Kong gave Jane much of her vigour and creative spark, elements of her native culture creep into her designs. Jane comes from a family of established business folk, creativity and being a business woman are in her blood.
She spoke at length about her journey to Toronto via Oregon, where she went to university with her high school sweetheart. When that romance fizzled, her sister lured her to Toronto claiming the city had an endless supply of eligible bachelors. She hopped on the next plane.
In Toronto she studied for her MBA at the Schulich School of Business at York University, but her heart was not in it. The call to do something creative with her life was far too alluring and
Oregon’s loss is our gain.
Oregon’s loss is our gain.
Jane has not only livened up the lives of many women with her handbags and fashion accessories, but hosts an annual Pink Bedroom Party, an event that raises money for the Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at Princess Margaret Hospital. "Why Pink Bedroom?" you may well ask. That's the colour of Jane's boudoir where she initially dreamt of the party.
I was at this year’s party held at the Liberty Grand, it was a sold out, swanky grand affair. Wonderful people, fab grub and all for a good cause. Don't miss out on next year's event, the tickets at $250 were a steal.
Oh, I did ask Jane some dumb questions only a guy would ask about women and handbags (apparently you can never have enough handbags), I also probed a bit about shoes and you will be pleased to hear that the conversation on that topic did not flow to its logical (and well-worn) conclusion involing one Mrs Marcos.
JEANNE LOTTIE WEBSITE
http://www.jeannelottie.com/
I was at this year’s party held at the Liberty Grand, it was a sold out, swanky grand affair. Wonderful people, fab grub and all for a good cause. Don't miss out on next year's event, the tickets at $250 were a steal.
Oh, I did ask Jane some dumb questions only a guy would ask about women and handbags (apparently you can never have enough handbags), I also probed a bit about shoes and you will be pleased to hear that the conversation on that topic did not flow to its logical (and well-worn) conclusion involing one Mrs Marcos.
JEANNE LOTTIE WEBSITE
http://www.jeannelottie.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment