Designer selling accessories

COLTON — Wearable-art designer Mary Gwyneth Holland has started an accessory line of hats, headbands, belts and bags to augment her higher-end, custom clothing.

"I think I need to go the traditional way of moving up the craft ladder, because you need to keep the cash flow going," she said. "I have a huge amount of money invested in inventory."

Ms. Holland will have a spring show of her collection from noon to 3 p.m. April 24 at her home, 365 Hanson Road.

She was a finalist in the 2010 Niche Awards for her hand-beaded white peacock coat of silk charmeuse and chenille yarn. Niche is a trade magazine for independent retailers of fine crafts.

As part of her spring collection, Ms. Holland will showcase pieces designed as part of the white peacock line, such as a sports jacket of corduroy and silk and an embellished laced-back bustier, but she also will have examples of MaryGwyneth Accessories.

Ms. Holland fashions silk, chiffon, leather, chenille, organza, wool, brocade, buttons, crystals, freshwater pearls and beads into a bohemian line of pins, wristlets, barrettes, corsages and short capes that start at $49.

With a line of accessories more affordable than her clothing, which is priced in the thousands of dollars, she said she hopes to make herself better known.

Although the Niche award garnered her a lot of attention, Ms. Holland is still working on business basics. When she wasn't designing and sewing last year, she was developing her Web site, working on the photography of the collection, and pricing her work.

"I'm an emerging artist still," she said. "I need to get my name out there. I never appreciated how important marketing is."

Once orders start coming in, her plan is to hire a staff to make the accessories while she focuses again on high-end clothing.

"The field is a lot less dense in the craft end," she said. "Besides, I don't really follow fashion trends."

ON THE NET

Mary Gwyneth Holland collection: www.marygwyneth.com