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Just like fashionable people, those who create fashion can be found just about everywhere. Each of these local companies -- or in one case, a Maryland business run by former midstaters -- is making inroads in the industry in its own stylish way. Here's a quick look at them: * Who? Violet Love, run by Rebecca Michaels and Maria Bucher, both 1998 graduates of Greenwood High School in Millerstown. Michaels is an alumna of Penn State Harrisburg; Bucher graduated from Bucknell.Based in: Salisbury, Md.What? Headbands.Background: Michaels and Bucher, both 26, were working as civil engineers in Salisbury before they started the company this past July. Neither had any previous background in fashion. But within eight weeks of their debut, the headbands flew out of Maryland stores and the women picked up accounts in Florida, South Carolina and Pennsylvania (Millerstown, Lancaster and Harrisburg).They've quit their jobs to focus on the business full time, and inquiries continue to pour in from all over the country.The wide headbands, which retail for $17 and are made in the U.S., are made of stretchy Lycra-blend fabrics. They come in a variety of colors and patterns; at any given time, there are 30 to 40 styles available. All of them are limited-edition.Why headbands in the first place?"I needed a headband," Michaels said in a phone interview from a trade show in Ohio. "I just wanted a simple black one to wear my hair up one night. I'm also a runner, and I always have problems with my bangs flying in my face. I couldn't find any to buy, so I came home and made a few and started wearing them around."The company's name is a nod to her favorite color."I wanted my labels to be purple, [and] purple isn't a really great word," she said. "But violet is. So I just wrote 'Violet Love' and drew the logo. It was the first thing I came up with."Michaels owns Violet Love and buys all the fabrics for the headbands. Bucher handles corporate communications and other duties and "just assists me in every task I do -- she's my go-to girl for everything. I couldn't do it without her."Michaels plans to expand into an entire accessory line soon, but for now, the headbands are so popular that it's all she can do to keep up with the demand.More info: 443-783-1096 or www.violetlovehead bands. com.* Who? Maeva Design, owned by French-Canadian designer Eve Leisenring.Based in: Mechanicsburg.What? Handbags.Background: The year-old company offers a few ready-made handbag styles. But its real focus is customization -- you can choose from a host of fabric, lining, handle, and trim options to create your own personalized look. They're sold mostly through what Leisenring calls "home design socials" -- home parties a la Tupperware -- given by her staff of "mademoiselles." You can call one and have them host a party at your home."I make a few that I like and we carry them around, because sometimes people want to buy it right there," Leisenring, 25, said in a phone interview. "But the concept is really to design your own handbag."Leisenring, originally from Montreal, worked at a children's knitwear company there after graduating from college. She also dabbled in drapery design. After moving to the States with her husband, she made a few handbags and gave them to friends and family. One friend encouraged her to start the business -- she also came up with the design-your-own aspect and the home party idea -- after Leisenring gave her a bag."I didn't start the business -- it kind of started on me," she said.Since then, sales have increased "times five," she said."It's more than I can even ask for," she said. "I knew we were going to sell because we had a good response from the beginning. But I didn't know we were going to sell that much and that quick."The bags, which range from $10 to $70, are made by three local seamstresses; Leisenring buys the materials and does some of the cutting work. When a bag is finished, the customer can pick it up from the party hostess or have it delivered to her door. Maeva Design handbags also available online at www.maevadesign.com and at Creative Elegance in Camp Hill.More info: 648-9600 or www.maevadesign.com.* Who? H.H. Brown Work and Outdoor Group, a Berkshire Hathaway company.Based in: Lebanon.What? Boots, worn by celebrities including Larry the Cable Guy, Kid Rock, Toby Keith, Jason Lee, and members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and 3 Doors Down.Background: The group includes brands such as Acme, Double-H, Beretta, and Browning; the H.H. Brown company also includes brands like Dexter and Born. The H.H. Brown company was founded in Natick, Mass., in 1883; the Double-H boots went into production in 1955, the Carolina ones in 1962.The Double-H boots are made in Wolmesdorf, about 20 minutes from the Lebanon offices, while the Carolina ones are made overseas and in the U.S.It's those two brands the rockers and actors favor most. "The celebrities love the boots for their comfort, styling, and overall functionality," Barbara McFarland, the company's public relations director, said in an e-mail. She said Lynyrd Skynyrd has the most pairs; both the band and its crew own them.Part of the appeal is that the boots have an insole system that absorbs moisture and converts it into a dry gel inside the insole, so the feet stay cool and dry, McFarland said.The Double-H boots range from $33 to $58 for children's styles, from $28 to $248 for women's, and from $50 to $394 for men's. The Carolina boots range from $43 to $107 for women's styles and from $43 to $171 for men's. Super Shoes in Harrisburg is one of the largest local retailers of the boots, McFarland said.More info: 800-438-7026 or www.hhbrown.com (for stores, click on "dealer locator"); buy online at www.shoeline.com. KIRA L. SCHLECHTER: 257-4763 or kschlechter@patriot-news.com Section: Sunday Edition: FINAL Technical problems: If you have a technical problem with your account please e-mail newslibrary@newsbank.com. Copyright 2006 The Patriot-News Co. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. |