WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. — The last year changed the fashion world, but not the need for personal expression. And, a handbag maker in the Denver metro area wants to outfit you with just the right statement for your style. You're in good company this week with Maruca Design.
Tucked into a small warehouse in Wheat Ridge is a hidden gem of vibrant fabrics ready to be combined, cut, and sewn together to make an array of unique handbags.
"All the Maruca bags you see out in the world come from right here," said Erin Lutz, Maruca Design's general manager.
The women-owned, women-run company uses a cottage industry model to closely monitor the quality and personal care of every bag.
"There's a lot of love put into this," Lutz said. "There's many hands that go into the making of a bag, from the designing to the cutting to the sewing."
The striking color combinations come in all sizes, from smaller accessories to cross-bodies to travel bags. And because they do small run productions, all their bags are limited edition.
"We're a small company, but we have a big fan club out there nationally," Lutz said. "A lot of our customers collect our handbags. They wait for the new season to come out."
What's more, their fabrics are woven in American mills. And, they save one special design each year to donate to charity.
In 2020, their "Buzzed" fabric was the most popular in the line, and proceeds went to bee preservation and education.
Their 2021 pick — a periwinkle color — is intentionally uplifting.
"For Spring 2021 'Bags in Bloom' — our focus will be on urban gardening and education both for children and adults, and just the importance of how that affects our community and environment," Lutz said.
Everybody's style says something about them, and Maruca Design wants your handbag to hold purpose more than anything else.
"It allows women to have an artistic expression while also having superior functionality and quality," Lutz said.
You can find them in museums, art galleries, gift shops, and boutiques all over the country, in addition to online.
If you'd like to learn more about the businesses we've featured in our newscasts, download Denver7 to your Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, or Android device and look for the "In Good Company" section.
