Diego Rocha

For most Chicago women, Louis Vuitton, Coach and Prada are the must-have names in handbags. But if you want the one-of-a-kind look that will turn heads, you must acquaint yourself with Chicago-based handbag designer extraordinaire, Diego Rocha.  

“Classic, elegant and comfortable” are the words Diego uses to describe his bags, and what an understatement his words are. Rocha offers up handbags made of beautiful high-quality materials and pitch-perfect design.

His purses are largely influenced by his love of natural textures and fabrics, as well as elements of interesting architecture Rocha has seen in both New York and Chicago.

Count on classic neutral tones, along with killer details of python, mink and beautiful hardware. Not only are the bags a work of art on the outside, but look inside and you’ll see Diego’s signature red suede lining.   

Diego’s handbags are designed for the woman who values quality over brand names. Diego describes his typical client. “She doesn’t care about the big brands. She wants quality, she wants to be unique, and she wants a one-of-a-kind piece.”

Rocha even designs for what he considers the perfect celebrity to carry his signature bags, focusing on Mischa Barton and of course jet setter, Angelina Jolie.   

Diego and his assistant Fabiano (Fabi for short) construct each bag by hand, completing around two bags each day. Diego does much of the sewing, and Fabi cuts out and glues the luxurious pieces of leather that go into each bag. Rocha doesn’t settle for anything less than perfect and will even give up on a purse if there is a flaw. “If it’s not working out, we scrap it,” he says.  

While Diego has several purses available, clients may also visit his studio to mix and match materials for a custom-made bag. With several leather samples on hand, he isn’t’ afraid to tell a client if he thinks her custom choices won’t work. And they always trust his opinion.

Clients often bring in favorite wardrobe pieces to help select bags that work best with them. And if a particular bag needs modification, such as bigger straps to accommodate thicker winter sleeves, Rocha makes the necessary adjustments.   

While Rocha’s bags are heavy on style, they are not heavy on the arm. Diego’s best seller, the Amazon, is surprisingly light for its capacious size, accommodating your laptop with plenty of room for makeup and a water bottle, whether you’re jetting around the country or riding the El to work.   

Rocha also isn’t afraid to experiment and upgrade his designs to reflect current and upcoming trends. “Every season, I have to reinvent something. I have about 20 designs and I pick six or so to reinvent, usually my best sellers. I add more pockets, chains. Do something different.”

One of the pieces Diego is featuring for winter, Le Sac, is worked in ultra shiny patent leather with a touch of mink and silver details.

The New Yorker is a classic clutch with beautiful curves, roomy enough to hold plenty of evening essentials, but still remain a sleek classic.  



Diego grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and, while working for eleven years in finance, wondered if he couldn’t turn his love of fashion and fabrics into something more satisfying. Moving to New York City, he marveled at the beautiful purses and totes all the women carried.

He took the plunge, and for six months dedicated himself to learning the art of designing and sewing his own bags. “I just bought a machine and some fabrics, and started sewing. It was really bad!” The beginning was shaky, but soon Diego found his groove, selling a few purses at a runway show.

When Diego’s sister moved to Chicago, Diego realized this was a great opportunity to establish himself in the close-knit Chicago fashion community. Eventually, overwhelmed with handbag orders, he recruited Fabi, a fellow Brazilian, to assist him in his studio.   

With a successful handbag line, you might wonder what his next steps in the fashion world will be. Currently a featured designer for Macy’s Chicago’s Indie Designer Shop, Diego is hard at work completing a line of purses for the upcoming Shop Chicago events. Of course there is a belt line, which has already sold out.

Rocha is also in the process of teaming up with Orlando Espinoza to provide streamlined, sexy accessories and pieces for the opening of Eclectica, the Armitage Ave. boutique owned by Chicago designer Vika Brown. Diego Rocha’s designs will provide a beautiful complement to Brown and Espinoza, making Vika’s boutique Chicago’s newest ultimate one-stop fashion shop.  

Diego Rocha is not just the designer you want to create your dream purse, but a guy you can hang out with for hours of nonstop laughs. Get ready to be romanced by his beautiful bags and dreamy Brazilian accent. Out of a choice of shapes, sizes and materials, you will find, or he will create, a piece of wearable, “carry on” art  for every occasion.  

 

Fore more information or to purchase a Diego Rocha handbag, visit:

www.diegorocha.com  


Eclectica (Lincoln Park)
1006 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL  
773.697.9929

www.eclectica.com

 

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SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer – J. Trepanier.
 
We recommend checking with stores for product availability. Suggested prices may change without notice. SeeMore Shopping strives for accuracy, but is not responsible for errors or omissions. 

Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews. Publ.  11/07.