Shelley Narsete was rushing through DIA security with a group of businesswomen when she noticed they were all carrying very similar bags, some even sporting the exact same models—polished, but totally lacking individuality. “On that flight, I sketched out a design for myself. I wanted something that could go from meetings to happy hour to the airport,” she explains.
That sketch snowballed into her brand, Apposé, which launched with the Taylor Executive, an oversized clutch offered in four colors, and customizable with interchangeable straps. The bag itself can fit a 13″ laptop, perfect for leaving the office, and what Shelley calls the “sense of security strap,” designed to look chic while still feeling practical on city streets. The material is buttery smooth and water-resistant, with three small interior pockets: two well-sized for phones, lipstick, and pens, and one larger for discreet items like power bars and pads. “Not having a background in fashion or a name in the industry, I had to start from scratch. What I did have was the perspective of someone who traveled constantly and needed a bag that could keep up and look good.”
A big part of crafting the clutch she imagined was finding a manufacturer that met her standards: small-batch craftsmanship, good working conditions, and transparency. Eventually, she found a family-owned atelier in Italy that embodied her ideals for durability and luxury, and the two have been working together ever since. Shelley is currently testing a new prototype design, living with it under her arm for a year to ensure every detail is perfected. “When I’m testing, I think about all the details: how many pockets make sense for organization, whether there should be a zipper pocket or a slip pocket, what it could carry, how the closure feels, how the lining wears, even how the bag sits while you carry it. I make edits and adjustments until it feels just right.”
If you’re looking for a bag that can do it all, you can find Apposé’s purses at The Vintage Label in downtown Denver or online.
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