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Big on bags

By Stephanie Maureen F. Asi, Staff Writer

09/27/2008

Most men wonder why women have so many bags. Remember Lily (Tracie Thoms) from The Devil Wears Prada when she ogled and swooned over the blue Marc Jacobs bag Andy (Anne Hathaway) gave her while Nate (Adrian Grenier) asked why women just can’t have one bag to put all their stuff in? If you’re a woman or even a man who appreciates our cute little antics, then you would agree with Thoms that bags are pretty, and it’s just not possible to have only one. There are different bags for your different moods, purposes and styles.

One of women’s weaknesses aside from clothes and shoes is bags. Not only will the style-savvy women attest to this, but also the practical and on-the-go ladies who know the value of having good bags. Roechelle Montenegro, former marketing officer for a foreign jeans brand who became a young entrepreneur, knew that bags would always be a big hit among women, so she decided to capitalize on it. From this, Therapy Bags was born.

Bagging success

Therapy Bags became a sensation among the ladies for its overnight bags. We’ve seen Hollywood celebrities donning those large bags for their weekend getaways. These bags are like that, but with a little twist. Looking like a larger version of bowling bags, these overnight bags come in different designs and fabrics, and serve as a carry-all bag, weekender bag, a modish lawyer’s attaché and even a baby bag. Montenegro shared that when they came out with these bags, their business started to boom. Now, they also have chic laptop bags that are sure to catch the attention of those who regularly bring their tech-bound notebooks and laptops to school or to the office. Aside from these, they also have shoulder bags and handbags in various styles, which are at par to designer bags minus the designer prices.

Exclusive styles

Drawn from the concept of retail therapy, the familiar idea behind each shopaholic, Therapy Bags intends to do just that. Montenegro shared that whenever people buy a bag from them, she wants them to feel good about the purchase. She said that you really don’t have to break the bank when you buy one. “You’re not only buying the bag, but [also] the style at a reasonable price,” she explained.

More than its moderate prices, Therapy Bags stands out for its unique designs. This entrepreneur’s mind is just a creative engine that keeps producing exceptional styles of bags with the help of her husband and her entire team of bag makers. The bags are limited. Only three to four different colors are made for each specific style of the handbag and shoulder bag. As for the overnight bag, which comes in the signature big bowler bag style, only three to five fabric styles are used, and the same goes for the laptop bag.

So you don’t really have to fear of running into the person with the same bag as yours or worse, switching bags with the girl next to you! Even the lining of each bag is unique because even if they are of the same style, they have different linings depending on the bag’s color and type of material. “What makes us different besides the price [is that] once the style gets all sold, we don’t repeat production because we have many frequent buyers, and we don’t want na ang dami niyong nakaganoon. We offer exclusivity,” Montenegro explained.

While they are unique and affordable, these bags also do not come short when it comes to style. Montenegro revealed that aside from her own designs, she gets her inspiration from foreign bag designers or from bag designs that she comes across everyday and during her travels. Being the practical woman that she is, she knows she has to put these designs into Philippine context. She makes her modifications, adds her own style ideas and adapts its features to suit what her consumers need. Proudly Philippine-made and born from the efforts of a pool of just 12 employees, she accomplishes the task of making these bags her own, and eventually the buyer’s. She keeps in mind the three “personalities” to which her bags cater. There is the classic sophistication, the fun and funky, and the simple yet chic. Looking at the different designs of each style, you’ll definitely see which one is for you. Even the laptop bags that are usually found in boring black color and in big, bulky structure now come in sleek, colorful styles.

Stylishly techie

Printed and colorful patterns are tastefully implemented on the designs of Therapy laptop bags. The time has come when bringing a laptop with you need not be a bore nor perilous when you commute because it is not even obvious that you have a laptop with you. It simply looks like a normal handbag, but it functions as a laptop bag.

With air foam used as fillers, it cushions the laptop inside. Even the fabric is imported from Japan and is very durable. It comes with a sleeve for the laptop and a pouch for the power cable and cords. It also has pockets for your folders and notebooks. It just boasts of pragmatism and style, a perfect example of how a well thought out design merges with functionality, practicality and affordability. Without sacrificing function for style, it has different designs to suit the stylish woman. For only P1,500, it is one of the most affordable laptop bags in the country today.

“For Therapy..., our main goal is to have style, form and function,” Montenegro said. With the multi-purpose overnight bags, fashionable handbags and shoulder bags and the ingenious laptop bags, they are well on their way to achieving this goal.

Therapy bags are available at Pop Culture at Alabang Town Center and the Hip section at Powerplant Mall. You can also find some of their items at Peppered Cherry, The Ramp Crossings, Schu Glorietta and Edsa Shangri-La Mall.