Harvey's Seatbelt Bags

Written by Sonia Almanza de Gambaro on Tuesday, 29 September 2009 20:45

Ever on the quest to find what is fresh and new in L.A. I found myself squeezing into the already crowded boutique opening of Harvey's. For those of you who aren't familiar, Harvey's makes uber-cool seatbelt handbags. It was a swanky mix of hipsters, fashionistas, artists and some rockabilly types all on the west coast tip. Canvases with different designs were lined up along the left wall à la coloring book style for everyone to make their mark with red and black sharpies. At least I hope the canvases were for all to make their mark, if not then I defaced some graff artists piece and that would explain the two rockabilly guys laughing at my handstyle - or lack thereof. I was really on my smooth operating mode that evening (it keeps me ahead in the fashion game). Case in point. I got a sneak peek at the newest line of handbags when my search for beer took me to the alley via the backroom. Actually I apparently missed the numerous servers handing out cans of beer in Harvey's emblazoned neoprene beer socks. But anyway it's not the method, it's the result. After viewing the new line and the present collection I have three bags that I instantly fell in love with; first the multi-toned set of recycled belts in brown has a diaper bag which would make me the envy of the other mothers in my area, the pink ruffled number is essential for my day to day loveliness and the sleek black bag with silver zippers would look amazing with my new thigh high boots and black lace stockings - AMAZING! Not only are Harvey's bags unique and amazing the story of how the line began is as well. I had the opportunity to sit down with the designer/owner duo and ask them a few questions.

Sonia Gambaro - Who are the masterminds behind Harvey's seatbelt bags?
Harveys -The husband and wife team - Dana and Melanie Harvey.

SG - The seatbelt bag is such a unique concept, how did it come about?
Harveys - The first Seatbeltbag was constructed back in 1997 while installing seatbelts into our 1950 Buick. We had the idea of making Melanie a matching handbag out of the extra seatbelt. Everyone loved it so much that we started making bags for our friends and family. Shortly thereafter we got our first wholesale order and it just sort of took off from there. It started out in our one car garage and quickly consumed the rest of our small home, and our lives.

SG - When did you two realize that you had something good going on and decided to open a store?
Harveys - In 2007 we opened our first store in Santa Ana - just down the street from our corporate headquarters. Our wholesale orders were strong and our online retail business was doing extremely well. I felt the next logical step for the brand was to open a freestanding retail store. We chose to keep it local so that we could easily begin to build the platform for future stores. Now we have two more stores under our belts with plans to open a few more in 2010.

SG - One of your new stores is on the hippest strip of Melrose - tell us about this store.
Harveys - Our Melrose store is our newest location. It was an old beauty supply store in need of a complete overhaul. We quickly transformed it into what we call our “city store concept” that integrates art with fashion by combining a handbag boutique with an art gallery set up to support local artists as well as our artistic handbag collaborations.

SG - How are your bags designed and constructed?
Harveys - All of our products are designed and built to specifications in our state-of-the-art 12,000 sq. ft. factory in Santa Ana, CA. - a production model that we are quite proud of! It’s not always easy to keep things built in the USA, but we find the benefits outweigh the challenges. Being built in the USA allows us the ability to control the quality of our products as well as respond to the market within hours. We guarantee our seatbeltbags for life, which is a promise we take seriously.

SG - Wow, a lifetime guarantee, that's fabulous. One of your salesgirls told me about the guarantee at your boutique opening. Also a beautiful multi-toned bag caught my eye and she told me that it was part of a special line made of recycled seatbelts. How cool is that?
Harveys - Yes, you are referring to Treecycle, which is a line of Seatbeltbags made from reclaimed seatbelt. It is our number one seller. Every year millions of yards of seatbelt is tossed into our landfills because they don’t satisfy safety requirements. We found this trash a true treasure. And because the seatbelt is unplanned post-industrial pre-consumer waste each Treecycle bag is unique.

SG - We got a sneak peak at the new line in the back-room. What can you tell us about how the line has evolved and when are these new bags going to be available.
Harveys - We’ve always classified our products as a staple with style, a classic weave that’s timeless in style and in functionality. But Spring 2010 holds an entirely new vibe, one that at first glance doesn’t look like a collection of seatbeltbags. Lola, our new ruffle bag collection is a series of seatbeltbags adorned with ruffles, braided handles and chrome hardware. It’s seriously girly! Madison Mini Weave a new interpretation of our classic woven seatbeltbag, made of smaller belts and leather trim, this lightweight sophisticated silhouette is a great new addition to the line. Bon Voyage a collection of nautical themed rope totes inspired by 1950s travel. These horizontally stitched seatbelt totes, with leather anchor accents, rope handles and canvas lining are a must have for any girl on the go! And Betty Rose, a collection of seatbeltbags inspired by a kitchy 1950s floral fabric swatch Melanie found at a flea market a few years back. Spring 2010 officially launches February 2010.

SG - Many of our readers are not in L.A. let us know where your bags are available either in other stores or online.
Harveys - Harveys is now sold in more than 500 outlets including three freestanding branded locations in California, and in more than 20 countries worldwide, with products ranging from classic staples to artistic collaborations. Visit seatbeltbags.com for more information.

-- By Sonia Almanza De Gambaro

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