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Funky, fresh, dressed to impress and ready to party; this is the spirit that local designer, Terina McKinney evokes into her clothing line, Jypsea (pronounced gypsy). The vintage inspired, eco-chic collection is comprised of handcrafted handbags, gloves, belts and small leather goods that are unique and truly one of a kind. “Every Jypsea piece you wear is infused with my soul, made with my own hands, and created in my mind and heart.”
McKinney was always an artist, and at the ripe age of 11 she already knew that wanted to be a designer. She attended the arts magnet program at the junior high school in her district, briefly attended Arts High in Newark and ultimately transferred to the Arts program at Irvington High School.
The name of the line Jypsea, is inspired by her moving around as a teen and her own personal style maturation. “I moved around quite a bit and was developing a slightly eccentric style. A few friends teasingly called me a gypsy and when I began brainstorming for a name that represent my line, Jypsea was a no-brainer. I didn’t like how literal the correct spelling would have been so I remixed the spelling to my liking.”
The name of the line Jypsea, is inspired by her moving around as a teen and her own personal style maturation. “I moved around quite a bit and was developing a slightly eccentric style. A few friends teasingly called me a gypsy and when I began brainstorming for a name that represent my line, Jypsea was a no-brainer. I didn’t like how literal the correct spelling would have been so I remixed the spelling to my liking.”
The Jypsea woman is authentic to who she is, she “expresses her individuality while remaining stylishly fabulous.” McKinney embodies the Jypsea woman, because she is the Jypsea woman, she is a walking advertisement for her line and the muse behind the designs. “I design what I love and luckily it always is so different than what’s offered on the market because I design like an artist. Every piece starts like blank canvas for me. I make my gloves, bags, etc. the way an artist creates a painting.”
This year, add a few standout pieces to your closet with a little something from Jypsea. All the pieces are made from the best leathers, the strongest threads and the highest quality hardware…and plus, they’re made with love. I have my eye on the fingerless gloves, they are uber fabulous. Even the designer herself proclaims them as her favorite piece in her collection right now. “Not only are the HOT but they are smart, allowing your fingers free for our other obsession: texting!”
February 1st, 2010, Jypsea will be opening its first design studio boutique, where fashionistas can place custom orders and shop the line of readymade leather goodies. How exciting? But until then, you can shop Jypsea products online at jypsea.com or at one of these local stores:
Lowe Key Fashion Finds
1023B Stuyvesant Avenue
Union, NJ
(201) 245-5485
Elegantly F.L.I.
728 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ
(201) 710-5477
ART SHOP
located in Gallery Aferro
73 Market Street
Newark, NJ 07102
www.aferro.org
Shatre' Beauty Boutique
313 West Palisade Avenue
Englewood, NJ
(201) 569-2951/ (201) 569-2952
www.shatrebeautyboutique.com
Anavaa Kisasa~ 'The Frugal Fashionista's Boutique'
555 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211
(718) 384-2679
For additional store locations, and to join the mailing list, visit jypsea.com.
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