So for those who do not know, Bastille Day (July 14th), is a French national holiday, which celebrates the commencement of the French Revolution with the “Storming of the Bastille.” It should then come as no surprise that French native handbag designer Marie Odile has created a collection to help in celebrating this holiday! Marie Odile for Soltek handbags are always colorful, stylish, and timeless. And with this recent celebratory collection, the brand’s vision has not been lost!
Marie Odile for Soltek blends French glamour with a minimal NYC aesthetic. The founder, Marie Odile Sharkey-Berard, was born in France and received her education in fashion in Paris before emigrating to New York in 1970. Her first stints in NY included Charles Jourdan, Roger Vivier and Arche. In 2010, she began Soltek Inc. The first bags were made in Naples, Italy, but production was later moved to Manhattan, NY. The collections are made entirely by wonderful craftsmen in the heart of the Fashion District!
Marie Odile designs bags ranging from totes and clutches to crossbodys and satchels, also bucket bags, shoulder bags, and other leather goods. She uses an incredibly diverse portfolio of materials including cow leather (plain or printed/embossed); canvas; cork; hemp and vegan leather substitute. The versatility and variety are just 2 of the aspects from this designer, and her collection, that I enjoy. I also like the intricacy, the close attention to detail, and the eclectic, unique spirit each handbag has to offer.
I am positive we will continue to hear great things from this talented designer, on top of a good amount of press already out on her and her brand — Accessories Magazine, Pulse, Obscurae Magazine, Travel Host, Lucky, and more! I hope all of my Fashion Nexus readers have enjoyed the pieces once again for Marie Odile’s Bastille Day collection, but here are a few other pieces from her brand, a few of my personal faves!
