12_e94a9adc-04b4-405e-89c9-2ab839ad0222unnamed-3{SS} What inspired you to start designing handbags and open your business?

{Alona} Every child has a dream job. Job that may not always be their final stop when they grow up but definitely something they are fascinated with at that time. And I was not an exception – I dreamed about being next generation Coco Chanel, dreamed about being a fashion designer (mostly cloths)! I started when I was 6/7 years old helping my grand-mother and my mom with sewing, knitting, cross-stitching, and other projects. I ‘ve always was fascinated with making things alive! You can start with a few scraps of material and end up with amazing finished peace.By the time I turned 16 years old I was already making custom designed garments for the family members and friends, by 19 – for private customers. I would stay up till 6am just to finish a piece and look at the final result before I go to bed!!Coming to United States in 2009, took a new chapter in my life. Excitement, worries, experiences…. so many new fillings.One of the new experiences started for me with learning and working with all types of genuine leather while employed with a local designer and realization of the fact that I can do better on my own and enjoy of what I do! That's how PEcado was born in 2012.unnamed-1{SS} Favorite part of your job?{Alona} I enjoy seeing the progress of my work that starts with making a pattern and follows with cutting out all necessary pieces, sewing them together, embellishing it with accessories, doing all the finishing touches and seeing beautiful result of hours spent of my work. It is such an excitement!!! But it’s even bigger excitement when you see your customer smile or when you receive a thank you note from them for a gorgeous piece!{SS} Any new items that you are loving, favorite pieces?{Alona} I love all of them!! But if I had to choose, I'd go with Antelope Tote and Python Front Pocket Tote Bags. The Antelope Tote is so much fun to carry! Every time I ware one, I always get compliments on it. I find it to be very universal – it’s simple and complex at the same time, it’s casual, it’s fun, it’s edgy. Great to wear with pants, skinny jeans, leggings, maxi skirt, tank-top or jacket…

Python Front Pocket Tote, on another side, is very clean, very sophisticated bag. Works great with business-casual style.7_5b3e20ad-58ef-4fb1-9b03-1e9eb73a7bcd 7_016d2552-97a2-4f6d-8474-4ef361e51f18{SS} A few items in your own "Styleshack" (aka) closet that you can't live without? eef9d9aee0fafe976bfd9d39bc40dba4 f512e7246f020e0d7cae79429363f962 7_784a1ff1-bf80-408f-ba28-07d57997e411

{Alona} Can’t live with-ought: Black suede w/Swarovski crystals Christian Louboutin high-heels, Zara dress and of course PEcado purse.{SS} Who or What inspires your personal style?  Favorite Style Icon?{Alona} Sophia Loren 274bf2729aca009dab5d5667efaad816 unnamed

{SS} Favorite local restaurant?{Alona} Cafe Santé in Boyne City, Sage in Petoskey, Chandler’s A-Restaurant in Petoskey.image288_md  photo 5{SS} Favorite Summer Michigan activity?IMG_9603

10509548_750546154996587_8487613767510033024_n{Alona} Located in resort community, you‘d think we get great opportunity to enjoy this short Northern Michigan summer season, but we don't… Not as much as we'd like to, at least. As this is our busiest time of the year, it gets very hard for me and, I'm sure for many others, to take time off. But inspire that, I definitely enjoy any kind of outdoor activity: running along Lake Michigan shore, biking, hiking, playing volleyball on a beach, swimming etc.Winters on another hand tend to be more relaxed, still busy, but more flexible when it comes to taking a few days off. My boyfriend and I, who is also a store owner – Arlington Jewelers in Petoskey, enjoy it by going out of town and exploring places we have never been to or haven't been in a long time, as much as sitting by a warm fireplace and sipping hot coffee or cinnamon cider.  ef2590ba81d238be91d921d59f07f2d9{SS} Words to live by?{Alona} "The best things in life are free. The second best are very expensive." – Coco Chanel“I would rather be damned by my honesty, than caged by my lies.” ? Omega Maverick  Shop PEcado Handbags, proudly made in Northern Michigan at http://www.styleshack.com/PEcadohandbags.

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