Local designer makes doggie bags

Lafayette — With the snappy tag line “For the girl who takes life by the leash!” Fuzzy Nation Couture is marketing an unusual line of sleek handbags that take puppy love to a whole new level. Designer Jennifer Liu injects a dose of humor into her gold and silver leather lamè handbags, that, except for the fact that they aren’t fuzzy and can be slung over the shoulder, do indeed resemble real-live pugs, dachshunds and Chihuahuas. In addition to an office and shop at Olde Lafayette Village, where she sells her products, Liu’s complete line of bags is featured in Macy’s annual Gold Catalog, in the handbag sections in Macy’s stores, at Rosetti’s Showroom in New York City and in other boutiques around the country. Not bad for a company whose goods have been out for just two years. It’s a feather in the chapeau of designer Liu, who also creates softer and fuzzier dog handbags that are not made of leather. Why dogs? “People put puppies in their purses, and even have purses for their puppies, but no one has even designed a purse that truly is a puppy,” said Liu. With an MBA and years of experience working in Europe and Asia for companies like Proctor & Gamble and L’Oreal, Liu decided to start her own business. Soon after it took shape, a fire destroyed her home. Undaunted, she started her company out of a single-wide trailer on her property, back in December 2005. By 2006, she was ready to ship products. And, this year she made an official national debut of the Fuzzy Nation line of handbags, which sell from $60 to $190. To see more of the company’s designs, visit www.fuzzynation.com.