2009年1月18日星期日

Vera Bradley


History
The company was founded in March 1982 by Patricia Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, a 1962 graduate of Marymount College. Named after Baekgaard's mother, the company got its start when both were inspired while awaiting a flight in Atlanta, where they noticed a "definite lack of feminine-looking luggage".

Products

A Peacock-patterned Vera Bradley bag.
Vera Bradley bags come in many sizes and styles, as well as many different patterns and colors. There are travel duffels, medium sized totes, large totes, purses, wallets, eyeglass and sunglass cases, cosmetic cases, and jewelry cases. There are also umbrellas, napkins, placemats, rolling luggage, tableware, bedding, fine rugs, accessory coverings, and stationery. Pet collars, beds, leashes, and carriers for small dogs, cats, and rabbits were also available for a limited time. The purses come with a variety of names such as the Vera, the Bucket Tote, and the Audrey. After a pattern is on the market for a while, the company retires it. When patterns retire, new ones are produced. New patterns are released in spring and fall colors; they are typically introduced in January and July. The company will also retire or redesign specific styles and new styles may be introduced in concurrence with the new patterns.
Within the past few years, Vera Bradley has become increasingly popular with many women for a variety of reasons. Compared to other, more expensive handbag lines, Vera Bradley offers an affordable yet stylish solution to the search for an everyday handbag. The bags are handy and useful, many with multiple pockets inside and outside the bag. Furthermore, all handbags/totes/travel bags are washable, as long as the cardboard base is removed. Accessories and Microfiber lines can be spot cleaned. Overall, the product is successful due to its lightweight, comfortable, and attractive feel. With over 15 patterns available at any given time, there is a pattern and bag style to appeal to every woman.

Collections
All collections are available in a variety of colors and patterns.

Patterns
The following patterns are active patterns, currently available in all Vera Bradley Signature Stores and Retailers:
Hope Garden, Purple Punch, Cupcakes Green, and Cupcakes Pink, released Jan. 09.
Mediterranean Blue, Mediterranean White, and Mosaic, released Sept. 08.
Frankly Scarlet, Caffe Latte, Puccini, and Night Owl, released June 08.
Raspberry Fizz, Daisy Daisy, Yellow Bird, and Pinwheel Pink, released Jan. 08.
Mod Floral Pink and Mod Floral Blue, released July 07.
Java Blue, released Jan. 06. *Java Blue is the longest running pattern in Vera Bradley history*

Vera Bradley makes dozens of different types of handbags ranging from wristlets to large totes. Some names include the Amy, the Hipster, the Tote, the Morgan, the Hannah, the Betsy and the Villager. The handbags are made out of washable quilted cotton, and are released in a variety of patterns.

Accessories
Vera Bradley makes coordinating accessories that include wallets, coin purses, clutches, tech cases, checkbook covers, cosmetic cases, glasses cases, wristlets, ID cases, and business card holders. The accessories are available in all of the Signature Cotton patterns.

Travel
The Vera Bradley Travel Collection includes Classic Cotton duffel/travel bags (made from the same fabric as the traditional handbags and accessories), as well as rolling luggage. The rolling luggage pieces come in Classic Black, Java Blue, and Yellow Bird, and prices range from 180 to 300 dollars.

Microfiber
Along with the Signature Cotton collection, Vera Bradley releases a Microfiber line during the same period new patterns are released. Microfiber lines are released twice a year, each time with different style bags, detail stitching, and inside prints. In previous collections, there have been handbags, laptop totes, tech cases, wristlets, backpacks, and overnight bags. The company has released brown and black Microfiber pieces; most recently, they created a black line for the Spring 09 collection that involved Electric Blue and Charcoal stitching.

Stationery
The stationery collection includes pencils, notepads, binders, notebooks and stationery cards made in association. All of the products are in the Vera Bradley classic cotton patterns. Recently, the stationary line has become popular as a supplement to backpacks and school totes for younger, middle school aged girls.

Limited Editions
Vera Bradley has also come out with many limited edition accessories. Some of the limited editions include the pet collection, the Seaside Collection, the Tropical Silk Collection, the Jacquard Line, the 25th Anniversary Collection, and more. Beach totes, towels, evening bags, dog carriers, and umbrellas are just some of the many products offered from these lines. The new Resort Collection, featuring Mediterranean White and Blue, is a separate line within the Signature Cotton; however, they are not limited edition prints. This collection was released in September 2008. In addition to the Mediterranean White and Blue, which come in all of the Signature Collection pieces, the Mosaic print (the inside pattern of Mediterranean Blue) is available in a specific few accessory pieces.

The Vera Bradley Foundation
The Vera Bradley Foundation supports Breast Cancer Research. Sales from the Pink Elephants (retired in June 08), Pinwheel Pink (launched January 08), and Hope Garden (launched January 09) prints benefit the organization.

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