Angelique Collections opens inside the Penobscot Building in Downtown Detroit

DETROIT - July 26, 2014 - PRLog -- A piece of paper or the glossy pages of a high-fashion magazine aren’t just trash to Angela Boone; they are the inspiration behind Angelique Collections (http://www.angeliquecollections.com/), Boone’s eco-friendly line of custom handbags, accessories and home décor.

“I look at handbags like they’re a work of art,” says Boone, who will debut her line of high fashion, abstract art and paint-themed designs at her new location inside "Penobscot Building” 645 Griswold, Suite 80, Downtown Detroit, which will open August 1st, 2014.

“My line is one-of-a-kind, for the woman who doesn’t want to see her bag on the arm of every woman or doesn’t want to carry the same bag that everyone carries,” she said. “No two are exactly the same.” Our clients have to options to create their own custom handbag designs.

Boone fashions her designer line of handbags out of artist canvas creating 3D sculpting– an intricate process that turns paper into wearable, recycled art. Paper, not leather or fabric, is her canvas.

Each bag is custom made and takes one to two weeks to complete. Customers can also select images, such as personal photos, to include on their custom handbags. The result: A unique item, fashioned into strong, durable and wearable artwork made and sewn by hand.

Recent bags were inspired by Vogue Africa and African American historical icons such as Sojourner Truth, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Angelique Collections includes a full line of handbags, including totes, purses, crossover bags, wristlets and wallets, which range from $38-$1200.

Art as inspiration
Boone’s love affair with handbags began when she owned clothing boutiques in Southfield and Oak Park. After filling her store with handbags from around the world, Boone, knew she could design them, too.

With her retail stores shuttered and downsized from her job as a construction manager in 2009, Boone went back to what she knew – handbags. Using her unemployment earnings of $300 a week, she launched her collection at her kitchen table.

"My Dad would always say," it's not how much you make, it's what you do with it."

Unable to buy expensive leathers, Boone used what she had around her -- stacks of newspapers and glossy magazines.

With little money but plenty of passion, Boone’s first designs used stacks of newspapers and magazines from her personal collection. She cut patterns from recycled paper, sewed them by hand, fastened metal hardware, zippers and leather straps, and waterproofed each design.

Soon, people began noticing – and asking about -- the unique bags Boone wore. Later, she began to incorporate new paper and new magazines into her designs, along with fabric.

“Everywhere I went, people were like, ‘Oh my God, where did you get your bag?’ ” said Boone, who soon began receiving custom orders. “I knew I was onto something.”

Her “something” was right. Boone’s line went beyond word-of-mouth, thanks to high-profile fundraisers for Ronald McDonald’s charity in Detroit, Detroit Public Schools, Art Institute of Novi, and pop-up sales in the City of Detroit last summer and New York events this year.

Today, Angelique Collections is sold in Detroit, New York and Chicago, and Boone recently opened in Downtown Detroit Historical Penobscot Building. She no longer limits herself to recycled art, Boone, added custom fabric handbags to her collections. She creates her own custom fabrics.

Her collection is inspired by the likes of great artists like Van Gogh and Picasso.

ABOUT ANGELA BOONE

Boone is a successful entrepreneur whose construction firm, Boone Management, completed school renovations at Howe Elementary as part of Detroit Public Schools' $1.5 billion capital improvement program.

She is a radio personality on Urban Nation Radio, philanthropist and the creator of Angelique Collections, and a former boutique store owner. Boone is an award-winning self-published author of several Christian books — “Live What U Preach, Preachers;” “Holy Matrimony;” “Faith Cometh by Hearing (Romans 10:17)”, and a children's poetry book, “We Are All God's Little Children: Let Us Pray;” “Women In Corporate America,” “Women Celebrate Yourself,” and her recently released book, “What The Hell! Find Balance?”

She is the publisher of  The Outer Court News, a print publication and online newspaper; and a lecturer and motivational speaker who has been featured in publications such as Essence Magazine, The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, Crain's Detroit Business and The Michigan Chronicle. She has also been featured on radio stations and print magazines in London, New York, Florida and California.