'EightySix' that old purse
Online store lets shoppers design their own accessories
By Brianna Huy
Women expect a lot from their purses.
They must be practical enough to withstand tossing, swinging and clutching.
They must be fashionable, following the season's latest trends or matching up with one-of-a-kind dresses on a special night out.
They must compartmentalize and organize to handle the workload of transporting life's daily necessities.
The best purses do all this and also are unique, allowing a woman to express her own individual style.
With so many expectations, wouldn't it be great if -- instead of combing the racks for the perfect find -- women could design their own tote?
Megan Murray Hardgrove, BSHCS '96, makes this possible through EightySix, an online company that allows women to exhibit their personal style by creating their own accessories.
At www.86style.com, Hardgrove offers a collection of simple, classic handbags that can be customized with a variety of fabrics, including polka-dotted prints, colorful tweeds and warm velvets.
''I want to give other people a chance to be the artist,'' Hardgrove says. ''I keep the designs simple and let the fabrics make the bag unique.''
While a varied selection of bags is available online, Hardgrove sells most of the creations through purse parties hosted by EightySix representatives at customers' homes throughout Ohio.
Armed with a variety of fabric selections and Hardgrove’s designs, which range from small clutches to large diaper bags, representatives help women create bags that fit their needs. Customers also can use the coordinating fabrics to make belts and headbands.
The bags are constructed by a Columbus custom-sewing shop, and in a matter of weeks -- voila! -- purse and partygoer are happily united.
Although Hardgrove worked as an interior designer in Columbus for a few years, she gave it up in 2003 to pursue something she loved and spend more time with her daughter, Avery, now 2 years old. She and her husband, Eric, are expecting a second child in November.
''It was a family decision,'' she says. ''I wanted to be a mom but have a thing that was my own.''
The choice to design purses came easily.
''I was one of those kids who always carried a purse full of junk everywhere,'' Hardgrove says. ''I’ve always loved purses.''
The name of the business springs from the fact that fabrics will be constantly ''eighty-sixed'' or discontinued for new, different ones. That ensures each handbag is distinct.
''I am always adding new fabrics and eighty-six them as they are used up,'' she says.
EightySix quickly took off that to word-of-mouth and the Web site. Hardgrove's sorority sister and Cincinnati representative Lori Franke Deters, BSSE '96, has experienced the positive reactions firsthand.
''It's another way for women to get together and express their creativity,'' Deters says. ''It's very exciting!''
A stay-at-home mom, Deters is happy to represent the company.
''I really respect Megan,'' she says. ''I look at her as a creative and artistic person.''
She's not the only fellow graduate helping Hardgrove with her new business. The company's Web site was designed by Hardgrove's brother-in-law, David Bull, BSJ '87, who works for a communication design company.
Down the road, Hardgrove hopes to open her own retail location in Columbus and promote her product to more boutiques. Her handbags are now being sold in shops in Ohio, Connecticut and Florida.
Brianna Huy, BSJ '06, was a student writer for University Communications and Marketing during the summer of 2005.
Related link
Visit EightySix
