press archives

The Boston Phoenix – November 11, 2004
1154 LILL STUDIO was excited to be chosen by The Boston Phoenix for their premier “Best” issue as the “Best place to nurture your inner Kate Spade”. Throughout the article, the real emphasis was on skipping the basic designer bags and creating your own original with 1154 LILL!

Ypulse.com – November 4, 2004
1154 LILL is seen as a leader in the “exploding trend of customization” at the What Teens Want Conference relayed through an editorial piece done by YPulse.com.

Boston Event Guide – November 3, 2004
We were thrilled to be included in the “We sampled it” section for the Boston Event Guide – a monthly publication on the great finds in Boston. With a rave review they summed it up by saying “it’s a great opportunity to spend quality time with friends…and create a handbag you can tell people you designed yourself”.

WHERE Boston Magazine – November 1, 2004
WHERE Boston is a guide for Bostonians and visitors alike letting them know what’s happening throughout the city and where the best places to eat, shop, stay and more are. 1154 LILL was selected as a premier place to shop and “express yourself by designing your own handbag”.





The Essential Chicago Guide – November 1, 2004
As the largest publication that WHERE Magazine prints annually in Chicago, we are honored be a part of the Essential Chicago Guide which distinguished 1154 LILL as primary destination point and must-do in Chicago! Jennifer Velarde was captured in a photograph with a few of her handbags and nicknamed the “Accessory Queen” for this article which was distributed to all the finest hotels in the city.


Kansas City Star Newspaper – October, 16, 2004
We were ecstatic about the article written by Kansas City Star’s Jeneè Osterheldt titled “KC’s Hottest Designer: You!” This story was the headliner and cover page for the Living/FYI section of the paper where 1154 LILL STUDIO was featured as a true original in the customization trend. Read the full article. This caught the eye of so many across the nation that it was also included and incorporated in the following publications:

Style Bakery Newsletter and website – October 1, 2004
We were delighted to learn of our inclusion in Style Bakery’s “Designers on the rise” article. In this write-up Style Bakery, which touches on everything you would want to know about fashion and beauty, sited us as one of the hottest emerging designers and hippest independent boutiques.


Chicago Shops - Fall 2004
1154 LILL was honored to be selected for inclusion in Chicago Magazine’s “Chicago Shops 2004”,an annual shopping and destination guide. “Playing with the fabrics, colors and styles to design your own bag” is wonderfully describedwith the article closing with “collect it four weeks later – beautifully sewn and finished”. A sincere compliment!

The Improper Bostonian – September 8th – 21st
With in the pages of fashion in this publication, LIZ (our clutch handbag) was the feature accessory on one of the models in “Flirty Pretty Things”.

SheFinds – September 16th, 2004
We were so delighted to be a part of this posh, one stop fashion shop, online newsletter! LILL was a part of an email sent out to their subscribers featured as one of “the best new handbag designers”. We blush at the thought, but hope you feel the same!

Style Bakery – September 1st through September 14th, 2004
LILL was featured as a “Tempting Treat” in this chic online fashion newsletter. Subscribers of Style Bakery were encouraged to “Unleash their inner designer” by taking advantage of our unique “design-your-own-handbag” feature online.

www.alloy.com – September 7, 2004
Featured on the Editor’s IT list of this fun teen website as a “cool handbag company that doesn’t just sell bags and purses, they actually offer you the opportunity to create your own”. This article successfully sets LILL and our customers apart from every other name in handbag design giving kudos not just for being different for encouraging us all to be ourselves!

The Boston Phoenix – August 6, 2004
We were excited to have been selected by the Phoenix as one of the perfect places for tailoring something to your taste in its article “It’s all about me”. This segment described our wide variety of fabrics and great style selection in our Boston Boutique!

Crain’s Chicago Business – August 5, 2004
Solely chosen for the “create” section of their “10 things to do this Weekend”, Crain’s highlighted our 5 year anniversary and recognized LILL as a must-do, especially when it comes to throwing a handbag party in our store

LUCKY Magazine – July 2004
We are so flattered to have been written about in LUCKY three times in just over a year. Our Boston boutique makes its LUCKY debut in the Boston Local section.

Newbury Street and Back Bay Guide– July 23 to August 5, 2004
LILL got the word out to Democratic National Convention atendees in a special issue as one of three stores in their “Shop on Newbury” section saying “you’ve never seen anything like this for custom handbags”!

Stuff @ Night Magazine – July 20, 2004
LILL gets into the What's Hot section with an article titled: “HOT BAGS: 1154 LILL”.
A very informative, upbeat, and creative piece saying…“a charming shop on Newbury…friendly and enthusiastic staff…help throw a bridal party or other creative festivity in their sunny digs…”

Boston Herald – June 25, 2004
We were featured in this issue twice including a spot in the article “The Purse-uit of Happiness” Our Boston store manager was interviewed and quoted saying “It’s like a part of getting ready; everyone wants to have a great bag!”

Improper Bostonian – April & May 2004
In this fun social/fashion magazine, Bostonians were introduced to the 1154 LILL custom concept – “allow(ing) customers to mix and match styles and fabrics to create their own one-of-a-kind bag or buy one ready made.” They also recommended Handbag Parties – where friends can “bring their own food and make some bags.”

ABC Channel 7 Chicago – May 11, 2004
Viewers got a double shot of LILL this Wednesday! We were featured live in the ABC 7 studios during a 6:50am airing after being chosen for the segment on “Best Of Chicago Shopping”. Later that evening, we were a part of the 10pm news in a segment entitled “Made Your Way” – featuring LILL and other businesses that cater to the customization trend in Chicago.
We’re flattered - thanks, ABC 7!

WHERE Boston Magazine – May 2004
In this months Hot Tips Shopping section, 1154 LILL was prominently featured as a hot new spot to shop in Boston. “It’s in the bag, girls! Express your inner design diva at 1154 LILL Studio – all-new Back Bay boutique where you can custom create your own handbags.

Red Eye Newspaper – April 15, 2004
As a special highlight to the article “Grin and Bag It”, 1154 LILL was featured as a creative alternative to department store handbag brands. “Can’t find the perfect pouch to complement your spring wardrobe? Make your own at 1154 LILL Studio!”

190 North on ABC Channel 7 – March 2004
Reporter Michelle Alegria stopped by the studio during a private Handbag Party to showcase the creativity and fun that can be had at our original create-your-own handbag boutique! 190 North showcases Chicago events, activities, shops and more every Sunday night.

LUCKY Magazine – February 2004
We love LUCKY magazine and were so excited to be featured in the brand new section “Stores We Love”!

Chicago Magazine - December 2003
In it’s issue of 101 Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Magazine picked a stop at 1154 LILL STUDIO as a not to miss activity.

Journey, ATA InFlight Edition – November/December 2003
Offering gift ideas to those shopping in Chicago and beyond, this inflight read highlighted 1154 LILL as a spot that vanquishes the ordinary gift.

CHICAGO SHOPS Magazine – Fall 2003
We love that we’ve been listed in Chicago’s definitive shopping directory a lucky three times since it began
three years ago!

LUCKY Magazine – June 2003
As a part of LUCKY’s monthly city guide, Chicago was scoured for “inventive and stylish stores” and we were so excited to see 1154 LILL STUDIO included as one of the 40 “chosen ones".






The Washington Post - May 2003
In Janelle Erlichman's SHOPPER column, the writer features an 1154 LILL ANNE and AMY in an article on graduation gifts saying: "Why not be a little more original this diploma season and give the gift of a wallet?

ITEM Magazine-April 2003
1154 LILL was featured as the “Hot Item” of the month in this glossy mag that reaches trendsetters in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ. The story by Alison Collins asks and answers: “Are you sick of seeing the same handbag on everyone’s shoulder? Dare to be different and design your own bag with the help of 1154 LILL!”

The STYLE Network – Big Boutique Series – October 2002
Big Boutique is an off the beaten track look at unique international style, design and fashion trends - it’s style is positive, fun with an inquisitive attitude. It looks further than the high street and local mall for fashion ideas and trends by offering ideas from celebrities and designers, including 1154 LILL! Check us out at Big Boutique.

Chicago Social (CS) – September 2002
In an article entitled “New Threads” this hip, stylish read features 1154 LILL as one of six Chicago boutiques operating “in the classic sense of the word, offering the most highly coveted brands and those hard-to-find collections under one roof, with a fresh take on personalized service and individualized attention.” We are honored!

Today’s Chicago Woman – September 2002
In “Beauty Best Bets” readers are encouraged to get a “Lill” creative” and head over to 1154 LILL to create their own unique looks! Whether you visit alone or with a party of your girlfriends it is always a fun stop.

Chicago SHOPS Magazine – Fall 2002
Once again we are so honored to have been included in what has become THE Chicago shopping guide to have on hand. Listing hot new stores, unique shopping districts, and the best places to buy what you need and what you want – our listing lands us in pretty amazing company. Thank you Chicago Magazine!

WGN TV Morning News – January 2002
In the “Around Town” segment, Joanie Lum hit the 1154 LILL STUDIO on Monday, January 7th to introduce viewers to the 1154 LILL STUDIO and show what it takes to create the bag of your dreams!

CitySearch.com – December 2001
The 1154 LILL STUDIO was chosen by MSN’s Chicago CitySearch website as one of Chicago’s top 10 new stores of 2001 and an “Editor’s Pick”. But what we really love is the fact that we were “Top Rated” with our customer reviewers! Check us out on City Search

CLTV News – Week of October 15th, 2001
During the weekly Metromix show, fashion and creativity was showcased as the TV crews visited the 1154 LILL studio during one of our private party events. The girls at the party had a fabulous time celebrating a birthday and making purses at the same time! See our handbag parties page for information on scheduling your own handbag party.

Chicago SHOPS Magazine – Fall 2001
As avid shoppers ourselves, we would turn to this “Annual Shopping Guide to Chicagoland” for tips on what’s hot – but we really LOVE it because 1154 LILL is featured as one of the 600 “Best Stores in Chicago”! Check out page 111!

ABC Channel 7 Chicago – Spring 2001
Morning weather personality Tracy Butler came to Chicago viewers LIVE from the 1154 LILL studio space where she went through the process of ordering a custom handbag. Tracy loved the textures and colors of our huge selection of ever-changing fabrics, along with the cute spring ready-made designs in the studio.

Chicago Tribune – Fall 2000
1154 LILL bags were featured in this article by Michelle Crowe entitle “In Hot Pursuit”. The importance of handbags as accessories was highlighted with the statement: “’The handbag has replaced jewelry as something with an artisanal element that you can add to your wardrobe,’ says Gregg Andrews, fashion director for Nordstrom’s central states region. ‘A handbag can be a great conversation piece’.”

If you are a member of the press interested in speaking with Jennifer Velarde or Robin Newberry about a fashion, business or bridal story with a unique twist, please call 773.292.6310