Check Out Heike Burns’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heike Burns.

Hi Heike, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Designing and making things has always been my life force. I learned how to sew on my Grandmother’s old foot pedal sewing machine making dresses for my Barbie. From this first introduction, I knew that creating and fashion would be my life. I formally trained as a seamstress and fashion designer prior to spending my 20’s and 30’s in the fashion houses of Germany, Paris and Hong Kong. Traveling extensively in Asia to source fabrics and raw materials, I was influenced by the exotic esthetic of Asian culture. I moved from Germany to Aspen, Colorado in 2006 and soon thereafter attended the world’s largest and most renowned arts festival – Burning Man. Lightning struck. I realized a more potent expression of my personal purpose. My life’s mission is to empower women through evoking presence, joy, excitement, and playfulness. I craft functional luxury accessories with sumptuous textures, brazen rawness, and sensory awaking sounds surrounded by the majestic mountains in Aspen, Colorado.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a small business owner, the challenges are part of daily life. Taking care of all aspects of the business can be overwhelming as well as invigorating – depending on the day and mood. There were many hurdles along the way, such as finding affordable studio space, resourcing materials from a remote place, and finding and retaining help in this very transitional place.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I handmake one-of-a-kind leather handbags and accessories. My designs are handcrafted with lots of love and care, using exclusive Italian leathers in a multitude of colors and textures, incorporating the raw edges of the leathers to create perfectly unique items.

Early on, I started decorating my designs with Agate slices which became my signature design. Over the years, I added other adornments such as Tribal amulets resourced from all over the world.

My styles are soft, lightweight, and comfortable to wear. To suit our modern and active lifestyles many of my designs are convertible and multifunctional like a cross-body bag which also can be worn as a belt bag, shoulder bag, or clutch.

I don’t follow fashion trends but simply follow my creative flow and inspirations of the moment. My styles are timeless, and I love that many of my customers have become true collectors coming back year after year purchasing new styles while treasuring early purchases just as much. Often, they come back with a bag showing patina from many years of love and use.

What makes you happy?
Creating. It’s my life force. The more I do it, the stronger is becomes.

Pricing:

• Bag prices range from $200 to $480

Contact Info:

• Website: https://evokewomen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evokewomen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvokeWomen/