Handbags from Paraguay

Written by Mary Welch Friday, July 02 2010

Snapshot: Alexandra Miranda-Sangillo
Born and raised in Paraguay, Alexandra Miranda-Sangillo, studied graphic design and showed her paintings in prestigious New York City art galleries.

After working for several years in the fashion industry, Miranda-Sangillo, encouraged by her husband, Paul Sangillo and friends, decided to launch her own line of handbags and women’s apparel in partnership with her mother, Ana Maria.

A vegetarian and animal lover, Miranda-Sangillo’s handbags are made of non-leather materials. She also designs most of the prints used in the fabrics of her handbags, therefore most of her products are limited editions.

She loves vibrant colors and simplicity. All of her handbags are handmade in Paraguay. She is opposed to all kinds of exploitation – human, animal, and environmental.

Womenetics: How did you start out in the business?
Alexandra Miranda-Sangillo: I am a painter as well as a designer. I love painting large and colorful canvases. I first started by hand painting fabric handbags (with a leather body). It was a very cute collection, but the process was too cumbersome due to the fact that I had to paint each handbag. They were truly original; many were sold in boutiques in SoHo and in South America.

After that, I decided to go all leather, however I was not satisfied with the line. Three years ago I became vegetarian and an animal activist and stopped buying leather handbags and shoes. I wanted to create an animal-friendly line of handbags of the highest quality that resemble and could compete with any leather products. I finally feel that I have achieved my goal.

I couldn't be more satisfied with this line and the results of all of the hard work that has gone into its creation. The line is feminine and unique. Last year I had my first fashion show in Paraguay, and I created a limited edition clothing line. It was a great success and a dream come true. I want to duplicate the success I have had in my country here in the United States. Now, the fan-shaped handbag is my signature piece. I designed this shape and had it patented. I take inspiration from my daughter, my husband and my mother, my South American roots, and my love of the beach and the ocean.

Womenetics: Describe your purses.
Miranda-Sangillo: They are modern-bohemian yet practical and chic. I think that a handbag does not need to be made of leather in order to be beautiful and unique. My love for nature and beach life inspired me to create my line.

Womenetics: Is there a Paraguayan style?
Miranda-Sangillo: Paraguayan people love colors, and I think you can see that in my line. We also love to party and enjoy life.

Womenetics: How do you select the materials?
Miranda-Sangillo: My handbags are animal friendly and made in Paraguay using top quality materials. I use mainly 100-percent coated cottons with faux leather trim. The handbags are meticulously made by the best professionals in the industry in Paraguay. I carefully select the materials from all over the world to make sure the final product is unique and of the highest quality. For example, I use YKK zippers, and my hardware (designed by me) is made by professionals trained in Italy with Italian techniques.

Womenetics: Tell us about your necklaces.
Miranda-Sangillo: Last year I had my first fashion show in Paraguay where I launched my clothing line in conjunction with my handbags. I wanted the entire line to be by me so I decided to create these necklaces. Trying to get some inspiration, I came across crocheted beads and I thought that they would look great as necklaces. I made one prototype, and it looked great.The line was all about my travel to Morocco and St. Barts, and it reminded me so much of these very different places. I fell in love. I called it The Tribal Necklace.

Womenetics: What is the most challenging aspect to your business?
Miranda-Sangillo: Finding the right materials. I only want to use the best materials, and I’m a perfectionist so definitely looking for materials along with designing new shapes and trying to be original are some of the most challenging aspects.

Womenetics: What was the best piece of advice you ever got?
Miranda-Sangillo: To be fun and flirty with fashion and not take fashion seriously.

Womenetics: How are you going to grow your company?
Miranda-Sangillo: I would definitely like to make a clothing line and keep designing jewelry and one day maybe a kids’ clothing line. That will be fantastic.

Womenetics: How do you select and work with your materials?
Miranda-Sangillo: The materials that communicate to me have color, texture, and shape. Whatever medium I work with I make sure I have fun with it.

Womenetics: What are “animal-friendly” materials?
Miranda-Sangillo: Materials that are not made from animals. No leather, fur, and wool.

Womenetics: When wearing a bold necklace, what should a woman remember on coordinating the rest of her outfit?
Miranda-Sangillo: I think if you are wearing a bold necklace you should keep the rest simple and chic. Don’t overdo it. I guess in this case less is more. Draw attention to a focal point. If I’m going to wear a very unique and important necklace I would wear a little black dress with a nice neck so that the jewelry shows.

Womenetics: What is your dream for your company?
Miranda-Sangillo: To keep growing. I just love fashion and love to design. My aim is to create a line of cruelty-free products that will inspire people to be kind and considerate to all living creatures and still be fashionable and fabulous.

Mary Welch is a freelance writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Dawson Times, Plan Your Meeting magazine, and Atlanta Business magazine. Previously, she held many positions with Leader Publishing, including editor-in-chief of Atlanta Woman, editor of Business to Business magazine, and editor of Catalyst magazine. As editor of Business to Business, she assigned, edited, and conceptualized a series that was awarded Silver in the 2005 GAMMA Awards for Best Series. Welch was a reporter for the Atlanta Business Chronicle for eight years and freelanced for publications including Glamour, Advertising Age, South, Georgia Trend, and Oz. From 2000 to 2003, she served as vice president of media relations for Bank of America, during which time she authored Forever Green: A History and Hope of the American Forest with Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell.