No More Playing Small: Fashion, Collaboration & The Grey Button
Introducing another Grey Button Brand Ambassador, showcasing my newest handcrafted black and white cowhide handbags, and sharing a little about what's next.
I've been thinking a lot about the direction I want to take The Grey Button, and one thing I know for sure is that I want to collaborate with more people who are just as passionate about their craft as I am.
Which brings me to our newest Brand Ambassador!
A Familiar Face, A Fresh Perspective
I'm excited to welcome the fashionable Erin Elise Enyinda, Editor-in-Chief and founder of Live Affirmed Magazine, to The Grey Button Brand Ambassador family!
Through her fashion and lifestyle publication, Erin celebrates individuality, confidence, and women who are making their mark. She's passionate about fashion, creative storytelling, and giving people a platform to share what they're doing with the world.
Erin and I actually worked together a couple of years ago, so when the opportunity came up for us to collaborate again, we both jumped at it!
She told me how excited she was to see me back in the studio making my handbags and wanted to help showcase my work. And of course I was ALL for it!
Good Fashion, Good Company & A Little Cowhide
For our shoot, we met up at Tous Les Jours, a cute French-Asian bakery and café in MidCity Huntsville. I've had the pleasure of working with Jim Xue, who owns several restaurants around Huntsville, and this location was the perfect backdrop for what we had in mind.
We also teamed up with Madison McFerren of Ferren Boutique to help pull the looks together.
Of course, we had to bring out the Black, White & Brown Cowhide Collection!
Erin modeled the Mini Corners along with a couple of my Marlena clutches, showing just how versatile these pieces can be.
I LOVE this collection because black and white will always be a classic combination. Add the richness of brown and the natural texture of hair-on cowhide, and you've got a statement piece that can take even the simplest outfit to another level.
And because every hide has its own unique markings, no two bags will ever look exactly alike.
That's part of what makes collecting The Grey Button so special.
This collection includes some of my favorite classic designs:
Mini Corners: A smaller take on one of my signature designs. Perfect when you want to make a statement without carrying a larger bag.
Marlena Wallet & Bigger Marlena: Sleek, versatile pieces that bring beautiful texture to your everyday essentials.
Big Marlena: For the woman who loves a statement clutch with a little more room.
Leo: One of my longtime favorites, featuring its signature patchwork-inspired construction.
Oversized Chaka Clutch: For those days when you want your handbag to be the outfit's main attraction.
And here's your friendly reminder: these are small-batch collector pieces.
I'm still getting messages about previous collections, 😂
I love that people are appreciating those designs, but it also means some of you are discovering that there's only a limited window to collect a particular version of a Grey Button bag.
The styles may return, but the leather and the exact look of each collection may not.
So if you've been eyeing one of these Black, White & Brown Cowhide pieces, now is the time to make it yours.
So, What's Next for The Grey Button?
Well, I've got some BIG ideas. And if I'm going to be completely transparent, I've always had big ideas.
But I've also had to admit something to myself lately.
For years, I think I've been playing smaller than I actually wanted to.
I've noticed that when I speak confidently about my dreams or the things I plan to accomplish, not everybody receives that confidence the same way.
And for a long time, I allowed that to affect how openly I talked about my goals. I would downplay certain things or just keep them to myself because I didn't want to make anybody uncomfortable.
But the more I think about it, the less sense that makes to me.
I've spent years designing handbags that aren't meant to look like everything else. I appreciate the differences in the leathers I work with. I love that some of my bags are completely one of a kind.
So why would I spend so much time limiting myself fit into somebody else's idea of who I should be?
I'm at a point now where I'm okay with people not understanding me or the things I want to do.
I'm okay with outgrowing certain relationships and environments. And I'm learning that I don't have to make my dreams smaller just because someone else can't see or agree with what I see.
I have too many things I still want to accomplish.
I want to elevate The Grey Button, create more fashion editorials, collaborate with talented people, and bring some of these ideas I've been sitting on to life.
And I'm excited to see what happens when I stop second-guessing myself and just GO FOR IT.
This photoshoot with Erin and Madison is a little glimpse of the direction I'm headed. More creativity, more collaboration, and more opportunities to introduce The Grey Button to people who haven't discovered my work yet.
I'm not starting over. I'm finally giving myself permission to see how far I can take what I've already built.
And just like so many of the bags I create, there's only one of me.
I think it's time I start treating myself that way, too.
With love and a whole lot of ambition,
Nadia Designer & Founder, The Grey Button
Featured Creative Partners
Erin Elise Enyinda | Editor-in-Chief, Live Affirmed Magazine
Madison McFerren | Ferren Boutique
Tous Les Jours | MidCity, Huntsville
Photography: Nadia Kidd | The Grey Image Photography
Want to Be Part of The Grey Button?
I'm always interested in connecting with creative people who genuinely love The Grey Button and want to help introduce my brand to new audiences.
If you've been thinking about becoming a Grey Button Brand Ambassador, I'd love to hear from you!
My ambassadors have opportunities to collaborate on creative projects, share their personal style, earn commissions through referrals, and grow with the brand.
Interested? Get in touch and let's talk!
Have You Visited The Sample Room? 👀
While we're talking about collections, let me remind y'all about The Sample Room!
The Sample Room is where you'll find retired Grey Button designs and pieces from previous collections, all marked down from their original prices!
As I introduce new collections, I'm making room by moving select remaining pieces into The Sample Room, including some of the last designs from our Signature Grey Italian Leather Collection.
These are still the same beautiful, quality handbags you've come to know and love, just at a better price!
And remember, once these retired pieces are gone, they're gone for good. So if you've been eyeing a particular design, this might be your chance to finally make it yours.
Comments