The Carpet Bag "Love" ~ Monyan Forevermore Collection 2011 (NFS)

The Monyan Forevermore Collection is composed of 5 handbags, each individually unique in style, all of which are composed of fabric belonging to my client's grandmother. This collection was designed to recreate Monyan's avante garde style she eloquently and effortlessly modeled in her lifetime. Through photographs and long conversations with my client, she helped create an image for me of Monyan's character, that of which I personified in handbags with the use of her dresses, clothing Monyan made for her daughter, curtains and loose fabrics she owned. Each handbag evokes a different look at Monyan's colorful and original style. With this, I give you, "Monyan Forevermore."


This extraordinary handbag is based on a love story between Honora and Frank Wargo. While in Loraine, Ohio, the two met, found themselves in love, married and spent a lifetime together. It is thought that Frank learned of this lovely word "Monyan" (meaning 'my all') from a local of Lorain. From then on he referred to Honora, his beloved, as Monyan forevermore. The gorgeous rose, composed of lace from one of Monyan's dresses, is symbolic of love. This particular handbag, which was the first of five I designed, was an absolute joy to create, from the beginning of production, to the building of the piece, right down to the final stitching on of the vintage buttons.

The back side of the bag displays my signature cascade of fabric. The retro geometric print on the top sides of the handbag (silvery gray) is from the skirt that Monyan wore to her daughter's wedding (my client's mother). The pink and white retro daisy print was taken from a jumper that Monyan made for my clients mother. The black and white floral print, also seen on the large rose, was a flouncy ruffle on a dress.

Click on any of the images for a larger view.




The beauty of the Carpet Bag is that no matter what the fabric, the uniqueness of each textile shines through and reveals their beauty. With the exception of a few small pieces, every piece of fabric used on this bag belonged to Monyan.




The Hungarian print fabric I used for the lining is also drawn from Monyan's wonderful eclectic collection of fabrics.






"Monyan" ~ it means "my all." This eloquent term comes from the Michif language, which is a mixed language based on Cree. Cree is part of the Native American Algonquian language and also consists of the French language, that of which was spoken along the Canadian border and throughout the north central United States.

The Rahab Bag "Butterfly" ~ Monyan Forevermore Collection 2011 (NFS)

The Monyan Forevermore Collection is composed of 5 handbags, each individually unique in style, all of which are composed of fabric belonging to my client's grandmother. This collection was designed to recreate Monyan's avante garde style she eloquently and effortlessly modeled in her lifetime. Through photographs and long conversations with my client, she helped create an image for me of Monyan's character, that of which I personified in handbags with the use of her dresses, clothing Monyan made for her daughter, curtains and loose fabrics she owned. Each handbag evokes a different look at Monyan's colorful and original style. With this, I give you, "Monyan Forevermore."


The red scarf that is prominent on all Rahab bags are symbolic of the crimson cord that Joshua told Rahab to hang from her window (Josh 2: 18). The crimson cord would be a sign to the Israelites not to attack anyone of that household when they sacked Jericho.








Most of the symbols of the Resurrection derived from nature are linked to spring, a season of new life. In Christian art, the butterfly represents the Resurrection. Its life cycle from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly symbolizes the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

The large flower fabric used here is taken from fabulous curtains Monyan had hanging in her house. The butterflies are cut from her dress, and stitched on.




The black lace trim around the top I cut from the bodice of Monyan's dress.












The buttons utilized on the handles are from the butterfly dress as well.












Pretty pockets and butterfly in flight add for an eye-popping surprise upon looking inside this vintage inspired handbag. The long pockets on the sides (in black) are cut from the bodice of Monyan's dress. The original pleats are still intact. These large pockets are perfect for big sunglasses.

Click on the images for a larger view.

The Naomi Clutch "Jewel" ~ Monyan Forevermore Collection 2011 (NFS)

The Monyan Forevermore Collection is composed of 5 handbags, each individually unique in style, all of which are composed of fabric belonging to my client's grandmother. This collection was designed to recreate Monyan's avante garde style she eloquently and effortlessly modeled in her lifetime. Through photographs and long conversations with my client, she helped create an image for me of Monyan's character, that of which I personified in handbags with the use of her dresses, clothing Monyan made for her daughter, curtains and loose fabrics she owned. Each handbag evokes a different look at Monyan's colorful and original style. With this, I give you, "Monyan Forevermore."

"Jewel" is the theme for this handbag. Jewels often signify knowledge and spiritual truth. "There is gold, and abundance of costly stones; but the lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel." Proverbs 20:15

The large flower I constructed by hand. The black lace is from the trim of Monyan's dress, and the brown fabric on the top of the clutch is taken from one of her skirts. The pleats on the fabric are original to the skirt design. The plum, chocolate and clear crystals were hand-sewn on.

I carried the scroll work of the lace over to the back of the clutch. Once again, I spare no expense on detail. This clutch is a stunning piece of craftsmanship.





A closer look will reveal the pleats detail that I salvaged from Monyan's brown skirt.

Click on image for a larger view.










Monyan had several pieces of lose fabric in petite floral prints, that of which I employed here in my signature cascade of fabrics on the back of the clutch flap, as well as the lining for inside the bag.





I like the surprise of pretty pockets, therefore always a staple in my work. A closer look will reveal that I incorporated another Union Made tag from one of Monyan's garments into the interior design of this bag.

Click on the image for a closer look.

The Naomi Clutch "Butterfly" ~ Monyan Forevermore Collection 2011 (NFS)

The Monyan Forevermore Collection is composed of 5 handbags, each individually unique in style, all of which are composed of fabric belonging to my client's grandmother. This collection was designed to recreate Monyan's avante garde style she eloquently and effortlessly modeled in her lifetime. Through photographs and long conversations with my client, she helped create an image for me of Monyan's character, that of which I personified in handbags with the use of her dresses, clothing Monyan made for her daughter, curtains and loose fabrics she owned. Each handbag evokes a different look at Monyan's colorful and original style. With this, I give you, "Monyan Forevermore."

Most of the symbols of the Resurrection derived from nature are linked to spring, a season of new life. In Christian art, the butterfly represents the Resurrection. Its life cycle from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly symbolizes the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Monyan had a beautiful dress made of the butterfly fabric. The indigo fabric on the flap and back of the clutch are also from one of her dresses. The gathering you see (and the seams on the back, in photo below) are original to the garment.



Click on the photos for a larger image. The seams on the fabric are original to the bodice of Monyan's dress.

The side panels are taken from an halter top that Monyan made for her daughter (my client's mother) when she was young.





The inside flap of the clutch exhibits my signature cascade of fabrics (although small). Delicate black lace was taken from trim on Monyan's butterfly dress. The retro fabric used for the pocket came from an halter top Monyan made for her daughter.

A closer look at the details.

Inside the clutch, I stitched in the Union Made tag that was original to one of Monyan's dresses. It is still intact to the fabric it was attached to during initial manufacturing.

The Naomi Clutch "Daisy" ~ Monyan Forevemore Collection 2011 (NFS)

The Monyan Forevermore Collection is composed of 5 handbags, each individually unique in style, all of which are composed of fabric belonging to my client's grandmother. This collection was designed to recreate Monyan's avante garde style she eloquently and effortlessly modeled in her lifetime. Through photographs and long conversations with my client, she helped create an image for me of Monyan's character, that of which I personified in handbags with the use of her dresses, clothing Monyan made for her daughter, curtains and loose fabrics she owned. Each handbag evokes a different look at Monyan's colorful and original style. With this, I give you, "Monyan Forevermore."

The playful black and white daisy print employed on the trim detail became the inspiration for my theme "Daisy." In Christian symbolism, the daisy represents "innocence." This sprightly blossom, which can be seen in paintings of the Adoration, opens at sunrise and closes at sunset (hence, "day's eye"). It derives its name because it sees things only by the pure light of day. Alva William Steffler, Symbols of the Chirstian Faith (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2002), 115, Canon Edward N. West, Outward Signs: The Language of Christian Symbolism (New York: Walker & COo, 1989), 53.

The pleats on the left of the daisy trim are original to the bodice of Monyan's dress. The black and white daisy print was a flounce on a beautiful dress. The button is from my personal collection.





The inside of the flap exhibits my signature cascade of fabrics (although small). I spare no expense to detail. Even the inside of the pockets are pretty.








Naomi Clutch "Daisy" pictured here with The Rahab Bag "Butterfly", and Noami Clutch "Jewel" Monyan Forevermore Collection 2011.

The Carpet Bag "Love" ~ Monyan Forevermore Collection

"Monyan" ~ it means "my all." This eloquent term comes from the Michif language, which is a mixed language based on Cree. Cree is part of the Native American Algonquian language and also consists of the French language, that of which was spoken along the Canadian border and throughout the north central United States.






This extraordinary handbag is based on a love story between Honora and Frank Wargo. While in Loraine, Ohio, the two met, found themselves in love, married and spent a lifetime together. It is thought that Frank learned of this lovely word "Monyan" from a local of Lorain, as the usage of Michif was still a part of the local diction. From then on he referred to Honora, his beloved, as Monyan forevermore. The gorgeous rose, composed of lace from one of Monyan's dresses, is symbolic of love.

Click on any of the images to get a more detailed photograph.




I have the wonderful pleasure to create a series of handbags based solely on Monyan, the grandmother of my client. My client sent me a box chock full of material, all pieces that belonged to Monyan, one of which was the skirt that Monyan wore to her daughter's wedding (my client's mother). Given the charge and artistic liberties to do my "thing", I deconstructed several dresses, reworked some very old lace, employed the use of decorative pocket flaps on one dress as detail for the exterior pockets, cut up some major cool vintage curtains that Monyan had hanging in her house, and dipped into my massive vintage button collection. My-oh-my, this has been an exciting and invigorating project!

During this time, I also had at my workstation a photograph of Monyan, sitting there in a pretty frame ~ I truly felt like she has been there with me in spirit from the inception. This bag is the first of 5, and I pray that her spirit will continue to be with me.



"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If one offered for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly scorned." Song of Solomon 8: 6-7

All is a term that we use day in and day out, giving it no afterthought. Frank however, used it for the intent of completion. She was his all, his everything, the air he breathed, the light in his life. Love can conquer all.


Even the fabric inside the bag is taken from Monyan's fabrics. This handbag is Vintage Chic all the way ~ just the way Monyan would like it.