Deanna Capaldi and Tara Deeb think style and sustainability make a great combination—that is one of the main reasons they created Vamp Bags, a company that strives to create stylish bags and accessories for women using eco-friendly materials. Sold in stores and boutiques throughout the U.S., Vamp Bags continues to grow its female following and have been seen on the arms of celebrities at such high-profile events as the Golden Globes and the Emmy’s.

Capaldi and Deeb recently spoke with Patti Minglin, M2W® E-ssentials editor, about their growing business and why women do not have to sacrifice being fashionable in order to be eco-responsible.

Minglin: Can you give us a little background on Vamp Bags and why you started the company?
VB: Sure, we started the company in July 2005 as we wanted a way to express ourselves, have a company that was sustainable, and wanted to work from home – we both have little ones. We decided to explore the possibility of handbags by originally turning vintage clothing into bags – hence the tag line ‘you’ve been re-Vamped’ and the name of the company.

Minglin: Your bags look great and are good for the environment. When it comes to the majority of your consumers, what appeals to them most—being eco-responsible or being fashionable?
VB: We truly feel it’s a combination. There’s one general rule - the bag can be as eco-friendly and sustainable as anything out there – but if it’s not hot then no one will buy it. The conscience consumer will be drawn to our bags or first take an interest due to our sustainable mission, but will fall in love with the bags once they see and feel them. On the other hand women (and men!) will see the bags love them – and bonus; they’re animal friendly and eco-chic as well.

Minglin: What challenges have you faced when marketing this product to consumers? What exciting opportunities did you discover?
VB: When we originally started we encountered a very real barrier – people expected animal friendly and eco-chic to be a hemp canvas tote. At that time there were not a lot of boutique owners and buyers willing to take a chance on a new company with this ‘out-there’ philosophy. Luxury handbags – leather alternatives – made in the US – and Eco-chic? Many felt that the public would not pay the price difference that this product would demand. But our customer base is growing; with every environmental report more people understand the immediate need to change the way we purchase things; taking into account not only the raw materials of the product but where it is made and the life cycle of the product.

Vamp Bags is thrilled to be able to say that we are very close to announcing our recycling plan. This will enable our collection to be recycled to different areas, saving as many Vamp Bags from landfills as possible.

Additionally, it is exciting for us to have a company that we can be proud of. Being able to provide examples to our children; that building a successful company does not mean you have to compromise on your beliefs – this is invaluable to us!

Minglin: What marketing channels have worked best (i.e. social networking, word of mouth, print)?
VB: All of it! We try to do everything we can. We are currently handling the marketing ourselves… it’s a learning experience! We definitely feel that the more people see our bags out there (in print, on the internet – whether it be blogs or e-magazines – on TV) the more buzz it will create and the more we can get into the market. The more environmentally conscience companies are seen as successful and mainstream the more we can do to save the planet.

Minglin: What new things can we expect to see from Vamp Bags in the near future?
VB: We have many new styles and belts as well! Keep an eye out for the new colors we’ve added this season (antique blue and sable brown). We are working on many exciting things – so keep an eye on the website ( HYPERLINK "http://www.VampBags.com" www.VampBags.com). We’ll be adding a ‘press’ and ‘recent events’ section as well. We’ve had some great opportunities lately. We have provided swag and celebrity gift bags to a number of events – Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Tour during the final show, Mile High Music Festival, and the Greening of Music in the Hamptons at the HytMe Estate.

Most recently Vamp Bags was an in-part sponsor for the launch of Propr (The eco-clothing line by David Arquette, Ben Harper, and David Bedwell) and supplied celebrity gift bags for the launch during NYC fashion week and LA fashion week. We actually went to the event in LA that was held at Courtney and David’s home in Beverly Hills; it was an experience!

The big news we can announce is that we’ve been booked to supply swag gift for Fashion Rocks 2009!

Minglin: How cool! Just for fun, what are the top songs being rotated on your iPods right now?
VB: Girls Just Want to Have Fun
American Boy
At Last (remake by Cyndi)
RESPECT
Any Janis Joplin

Minglin: Thanks, Deanna and Tara. I can’t wait to see what stylish products are in store for Vamp Bags!

Want more information about how your company can successful communicate its green message to consumers?  Be sure to attend Good And Green(TM)-The Green Marketing Conference, December 3 & 4 in Chicago!

Patti Minglin is the editor of M2W® E-ssentials, www.m2w.biz.  Based in Chicago, Minglin can be reached at 630.209.2524 or pminglin@comcast.net.