The Darling Clutch Co. style is best described as "classic mod revival"—a cultivated blend of current trends with a reimagined vintage vibe to create a singular & timeless style. founder Stacie Rathel was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, where she learned at a young age to work with her hands to bring ideas to fruition. She learned to approach each project with perseverance and a do-it-yourself attitude. That same tenacity and curiosity to figure things out led Stacie to combine her passions for art and fashion into a new venture. The idea for a fashion clutch business began when Stacie was reminiscing about the places she loved visiting when traveling around the world. After she became a mother, Stacie's opportunities to travel diminished a bit, but the fond memories did not. "With plenty of mugs, t-shirts, jewelry, and other knick-knacks already, I had a desire to create my own perfect souvenir," Stacie explained. "One that would remind me of the places and things I love — of course, in a stylish way." Then came the "a-ha moment" that turned into Darling Clutch Company. Having always loved antiqued wooden clutches, Stacie designed her first clutch based on a classic Orlando graphic. Excitement grew as strangers stopped her to compliment the clutch. Stacie followed up her initial design with two holiday designs. People inquired where these unique clutches could be purchased and requested custom lines for special events. The result is the existing wide line of clutches—each driven by the same passion, and each, in its own way, Darling. OUR STYLE AND INSPIRATION
Vintage art with touches of contemporary style inspires me. I adore modern trends, but love to blend them with classic and retro looks. Some vintage objects are so alluring that they trigger a desire to bring them back to life — to create something new. You know the feeling...when your eye catches a random object, and it takes you back in time to a specific feeling. It might be an old postcard, advertising or label, a retro toy, a movie poster, period clothing and jewelry, or the 1950s wedding dress still hanging in my grandmother's closet. They're truly beautiful in their own right, but all the more so because they represent stories—of real people, families, communities, and a way of life. In my business I act as a modern revivalist: I take an inspiration from the past and reinterpret, retell, and refresh it. Using these treasures to make new art is a way of honoring the contributions of previous generations while exposing current generations to their heritage. As a native Floridian, the citrus industry is part of my cultural heritage. Vintage art from the heyday of the citrus industry (1920-60s) reflects its impact on the community. Citrus farms were family-run businesses...families with treasured stories of poverty and wealth, failure and success, heartache, reunion, scandal, and joy. I love my grandmother's generation and am obsessed with the nostalgic illustrations, logos, advertising, and labels of the era. Many of these have become serious collectible art. Selecting a specific piece is an intimate and careful process, all to create a clutch that is memorable — even romantic.
