Behind The Brand is our franchise that features the collections, ethos, and stories of brands included in the Box of Style. 

What's in a handbag? For Founder and Creative Director Danielle DiFerdinando, it's a union of practicality, accessibility and ease. An intern-turned-designer at Bergdorf Goodman, Danielle debuted her eponymous collection Danielle Nicole in 2007 to a cult following and in no time expanded to land collaborations with Disney, Nintendo, and other brand giants. We are thrilled to host an exclusive Danielle Nicole design in our Summer 2019 Box of Style -- a chic, summer-perfect crochet bag -- and know you will love it as much as we do.

Box of Style: How did your brand come into existence? 

Danielle Nicole: Danielle Nicole was founded in 2007 and I’m fortunate to say that we’ve had some incredible collaborations since our inception... Disney, Warner Brothers, HBO’s Game of Thrones, Nintendo, and Nickelodeon; it feels like a dream! My first handbag was made by hand and it took me more than 28 hours to finish, the line then launched at Bergdorf Goodman’s and I saw first hand what hard work can bring. My goal was to design and create whimsical handbags and recreate each company’s unique story in a creative and modern way and I’m grateful I get to do it every single day. 

Box of Style: What is the inspiration behind your collection? Why did you want to make it?

Danielle Nicole: I always look to incorporate functional pieces that will be both fashionable and timeless. I create bags that showcase a subtle but effortless style, but ones that still allow true detail and for each product to stand out on its own. We use the finest leather, research the trendiest colors and combine neutral patterns that are ultimate staples for a woman’s wardrobe. Accessories are a statement and Danielle Nicole goes above and beyond to define just that. 

Box of Style: What about your brand is unique/most exciting to you and why?

Danielle Nicole: I want to design products that are high quality, but ones that represent a woman’s integrity and value, or as some consider, a true “New York” fashion. I want my styles to be effortless, eternal but a representation of who I am, who the Danielle Nicole woman is. 

Box of Style: What is the number one thing about your brand that you would like prospective customers to know? 

Danielle Nicole: Versatility. I want women to know that they can wear anything and feel incredible. We want both our buyers and customers to understand our mission and feel empowered by the numerous approaches, the research and designs that it takes us to get a product, or new “trend” right. We strive to convey practicality, accessibility and ease into our designs by creating bags that grow and adapt to the women holding them. Our brand will continue to evolve for the women who want a functional design, who looks to show off their personality... who wants to have her cake... “or her bag” and wants to eat... and “rock it too!”

Box of Style: Why are you excited to be a part of Box of Style? What are your favorite features of the service? 

Danielle Nicole: Having the opportunity to partner with Rachel Zoe’s Box of Style feels like a match made in fashion heaven, and we could not be more excited. Box of Style encompasses fashion “know how” with its inclusion of core wardrobe staples and everyday accessibility -- two elemental keys we follow at Danielle Nicole. We look forward to continuing this relationship and we hope to reach a wider demographic of confident, trend-focused women. 

Box of Style: What is next for your brand?

Danielle Nicole: Danielle Nicole's vision is to continue empowering women through how they accessorize, and give them the tools to feel more confident, especially when it comes to what they wear! Our business itself is deeply rooted in fashion and culture. We retain a strong emphasis on female growth and long-lasting accessories for years to come and with that, we are constantly looking to re-invent our definition of efforless style for the modern woman. Coming from stores including but not limited to, Holt Renfrew, Bergdorf’s and Nordstrom’s, there is no stopping the Danielle Nicole brand... stay tuned for what's next! 

See more Danielle Nicole handbags here.