With a strong back ground in design, Kazuyo Nakano launched her first handbag collection in 1997, which has grown into an international brand ever since.

Nakano’s father owned a handbag business in Kyoto, Japan, and introduced her to the business and design aspect of it at an early age. She knew right away that she wanted to focus on design and attended the prestigious Lei Design School in Kyoto.

Post graduation, Nakano moved to Italy where she was named the Assistant Designer to Piero Guidi. Armed with the professional knowledge and experience she gained in Italy, she moved to New York where she designed for labels like Carlos Falchi, Robert Lee Morris, and Donna Karan.

Today, Nakano designs for women that have “complex lifestyles defined by more than one ambition and more than one essential quality.” All the bags are handmade with a sense of fantasy, creativity, and designed with old and new aesthetics in mind.

For spring 2009, Kazuyo Nakano offers wallets that transform to clutches and clutches that transform into totes and messenger bags, making these bags worthy investment pieces. The uniquely versatile styles combined with the alluring colors, leather treatments, lush tassels, and folded details make Kazuyo Nakano stand out from your average handbag. The Kazuyo Nakano collection is carried at Verve and Delfino in addition to the Kazuyo Nakano flagship store in Manhattan.