The Essential: Imbellished By Bella

Even as a young girl, Bella Pearce loved handbags but as she grew up she discovered their expensive price tags didn’t always fit her student budget, and she wasn’t about to give up on her favourite luxury item.

So, she set about creating her own beautiful, yet affordable range, Imbellished By Bella, which now features 11 stylish, ethical – and uniquely colourful – pieces. It was during her three years studying at The University of Otago, that the designer handbag dream was born. “I’ve always been obsessed with designer fashion, it’s been a big passion of mine, but when I was a student, I became aware that these items aren’t always affordable,” she says.

“Women do not carry handbags, handbags carry women.”

“I wanted to make the same hype around the larger brands, but bring it back to a more affordable level.”
Using sustainable leather as her primary product – there are also non-leather options – Bella designs the handbags herself, has them manufactured abroad, then sells them online through her website. By working a season ahead, she stays bang on trend with overseas styles and works hard to make sure each bag has been ethically made to endure the test of time. Thanks to word of mouth, an Instagram and Facebook following, and the quality of the product, the brand’s popularity has been growing steadily.

“I have a really good customer base who all love the quality and craftmanship of the bags, and I try to give them all a bit of personality, because a handbag tells you a lot about the person carrying it,” she says. Orders for Imbellished By Bella bags have now been shipped right across the country and Bella is even starting to supply boutique shops in Christchurch. “I really wanted to provide something for the

New Zealand market so people could indulge in luxury, but not have to pay the price.”  “I believe, women do not carry handbags, handbags carry women throughout their lives.”

Visit www.imbellishedbybella.com or contact Bella at imbellishedbybella@gmail.com.