Chicago's Alexandra J. Megan Launches Luxury-Handbag Collection

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Sterling & Burke, a company that represents British and American heritage brands, has launched a new line of luxury handbags—and the designer behind them has a Chi-town heritage. Meet Chicagoan Alexandra J. Megan.

The bags are handmade in England using English-bridle hide, solid-brass hardware, and hand-assembled locks. Most of the clutches, purses, and totes are produced on bespoke basis, and they have high-end prices to match: these goods range from $700 to $2,700, with more for exotic skins. But it kind of makes sense: Megan explained to The CHICAgo Life Blog that the pieces can take ten to 15 hours to hand-make, and that the bags will last through "many, many years of use" and "still look brand new."

So, what does Megan always carry in her lovely bag? "I'm very minimalistic and tidy when it comes to the contents of my handbag," she told us, "because people are always looking inside when I talk about my designs!"

So in lieu of old gum wrappers and perfume samples (guilty) she stows: a wallet and business-card holder (Sterling & Burke, of course), house keys, a cell phone, neutral lip gloss from Bobbi Brown, "Suspense" lipstick from Chanel, Ray-Ban tortoise wayfarer sunglasses, business cards in a card wallet, and a spare hair tie. (And now you know!)

Megan's whole collection is available now on the Sterling & Burke website, and the bags will be available at Frederick Lynn Haberdashhere starting next month. Select pieces will also be featured soon on the fashion app Purely.

· Sterling & Burke [Official Site]
· Meet Sterling & Burke Designer Alexandra J Megan [CHICago Life Blog]