Los Altos designer creates unique leather purses

By Julie Trescott, Special to the Town Crier

The Mapuche Indians of Argentina tell the story of Amancay, a humble woman who discovers an orange flower that can save the man she loves and the rest of her sick tribe.

When a greedy condor asks for her heart in exchange for the powerful plant, Amancay doesn’t think twice before making the ultimate sacrifice

“This legend speaks to the innate strength and passion of women,” said designer and Los Altos resident Jennifer Mitchell, who named her new handbag line, Amankai, after the Argentine heroine.

Born in Brazil and raised throughout Latin America, Mitchell is “from everywhere and nowhere all at once.”

She moved to Los Altos last month.

After working as a strategic marketing consultant for U.S.-Latin America liaisons for 12 years, she decided it was time for a change in 2002.

“I didn’t feel like I was learning anything anymore, so I made the switch,” she said.

She began designing handbags after being unable to locate the perfect one for herself in stores.

“I had a hard time finding a handbag that was distinctive, elegant, not over the top and functional,” she said.

Within months, Mitchell devised a business plan, made several sample bags and Amankai was born.

Although she was nervous about entering into a completely different sector of the job market, she felt more confident after a trip to Argentina.

One day when Mitchell was carrying an early version of the campana handbag in orange suede, three women approached her and asked about the bag.

She then realized that she had developed a product that people would be interested in buying.

Mitchell often carries this particular bag in a different leather because it holds sentimental value.

The campana, which means “bell” in Spanish, is a sleek bag that comes in four leathers and can easily be converted from a backpack to a shoulder bag.

Made by hand in Argentina, these stylish leather handbags bring together the best of three cultures - blending European sophistication, South American flare and American practicality.

“Amankai is for the woman who likes to have fun with accessories, isn’t afraid to make a statement with them, appreciates quality and is picky about handbags,” Mitchell said.

She has designed two collections, each with its own distinct flavor: Buenos Aires and Las Pampas, named after Argentina’s bustling capital city and vast plains respectively.

The sophisticated and elegant Buenos Aires collection is made from leathers in rich jewel tones, metallic hues and faux animal skins to create a cosmopolitan look.

In contrast, the Las Pampas collection has a more casual feel, combining earth tones with fun patterns for simpler bags that are functional and versatile.

Every style is made in several types of leather, some custom-made and hand-painted especially for Mitchell’s company.

“You are not going to find these leathers anywhere else,” she said.

All handbags are lined with leather and equipped with a cell phone holder, pen slip, key clip and at least one zippered pocket.

“You should be able to look elegant when you carry it and when you reach inside,” Mitchell said. Prices rages from $200 to $375.

In addition to handbags, Mitchell designed leather hats for her new fall line.

“I wanted to bring something at a more accessible price point,” Mitchell said.

The hats sell for under $100 and come in three varieties: bucket-style, fedora and newsboy.

“The most gratifying part of my job is seeing someone wearing something that I have designed,” Mitchell said.

Amankai is sold at Acacia C on 270 Main St. in Los Altos.

For more information, visit www.amankai.com.