Local College Student Designs Purses for the 21st Century

Unless I’m expecting a call or I happen to spot an amazing Instagram shot, retrieving my phone from the black hole that is my purse simply isn’t worth the hassle. Plus, the moment I remove my phone, there’s a pretty good chance that I’m going to misplace or loose it.

Fortunately, there’s innovative young designers out there like 19 year-old, Nicole Kelner.

Just a few months after teaching herself how to sew, back in April, the Penn State sophomore launched her own line of tech-friendly purses, wristlets, wallets and tablet/eReader cases.

What makes Kelner’s accessories so innovative is her signature “SmartPocket”—a sturdy plastic pocket that protect your phone from rain, sand, scratches and the occasional spilled hand lotion while also allowing you to easily text, answer calls and play music (without having to take your phone out of your purse!)

So simple and yet so brilliant.

“When I design a bag, my main priority is convenience,” Kelner says. “I want all my purses to make the busy woman’s life just a little bit easier so I strive to make them as utilitarian as possible.”

Her accessories range from $24-$38 and are made to accommodate any and all touchscreen phones—even if you have one of those thick Otterbox cases—as well as various brands of tablets and eReaders.

And since ladies should never have to compromise fashion for function, Kelner offers an array of cute cotton fabrics with prints ranging from trendy tribal to feminine florals. Should you want a particular style but don’t see it in your desired fabric, she’ll custom make it for you.

Despite having only just opened her Etsy store a few months ago, Kelner’s accessories have already attracted the attention of bloggers around the globe. They were even featured on the homepage of the tech media Web site, CNET.

As for what inspired the collection, oddly enough, the Bucks County native says she actually doesn’t have any trouble keeping track of her phone—it’s her purse that’s the problem.

“I can be very forgetful, but I never leave my phone anywhere because I am always checking the time or texts. One day I left my purse at Chipotle when I was eating lunch, but I still had my phone.”

Convinced it was a super-smart investment, I went ahead and bought one of Kelner’s jumbo “SmartWristlets” the other day. And just in case you’re not totally convinced, I shall report back once I’ve given it a thorough testing.