Nov. 16, 2006 – A return to classic glamour
– Helen’s new handbag business inspired by 1950s icons –

High-flying PR consultant Helen Barklam has given up her career in London to fulfil what must be every girl’s dream… designing and selling handbags.

Helen has just launched her new handbag company with classic leather handbags and vintage designs inspired by mid-20th Century glamour and beautiful women like Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly.

Appropriately the business is called ava and grace.

Budding entrepreneur Helen (30) has taken her inspiration from one of our most glamorous eras and has designed a classic and stylish handbag collection for decadent 21st century women.

Helen says: “I couldn’t find a simple, gorgeous, classic bag on the high street – so I decided to do something about it! All women want a little style and glamour in their lives and who better to be inspired by than style icons like Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe?

“ava and grace bags are simply designed to be classic and stylish. But, that can be hard to find these days. On behalf of all handbag-loving women out there, I wanted to take us back to a good old fashioned and understated look – classic, elegant and stylish.

Helen joins the growing number of UK women going it alone in business. 30% of UK business owners are women, and female entrepreneurs account for 6.8 per cent of the UK’s working population (double the figure in 1979).*

“I have a huge passion for design – and of course bags! I’d say to any budding female entrepreneurs – go for it!”

There are five products in Helen’s first collection, made of leather and genuine, hard-to-find vintage fabric from the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, sourced from across the world.

The classic bags are available online at www.avaandgrace.com and via mail order.

* source: Labour Force Survey

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For further information, please contact:
Helen Barklam
ava and grace
01772 316924 or helen@avaandgrace.com

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