Crocolicious handbags by Adriana Castro

As we all know, purses and shoes are universal fetish items of many women as shopping for these is equally passionate experience for women of all sizes and ages, which makes this market fruitful and ever growing! 


Recently I find out about an amazing young handbag and accessory designer - Adriana Castro. Columbian native, living in US has not only a great talent in designing gorgeous, exotic skins accessories but also a great story behind creating her brand - Adriana Castro. 


Adriana is using various exotic skins for her designs such as crocodile, eel, lizard, ostrich, python, leather and water snake. Skins are also processed in different ways which makes them glazed, matte, metallic or stone washed.

Growing up at fathers crocodile farm in Columbia young Adriana got inspiration from the natural beauty and color palettes surrounding the Amazon for creating her  crocodile accessories designs. Smarty she first went to study business to be able to run a successful brand, after which she continued her accessory design education at Art Institute of Miami International University.


Adriana launched her first handbag collection in SS 2007. and instantly got recognized by prestigious media worldwide such as WWD, Vogue, People, In-Touch, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Style.com, Grazia etc.

Castro's handbags are loved and carried by celebrities and fashion influencers including Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, Heidi Klum and Audrina Patridge. Five Adriana Castro bags were also featured in the movie Sex and the City 2. and her exotic collection is available exclusively at specialty retailers worldwide including Henri Bendel in New York City, Saks Fifth Avenue in Dubai, Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong as well as select boutiques in Russia and Mexico.


Photos of my very favorite Castro pieces from her SS 2012. and FW 2012. collections are bellow. In terms of prices (cc $1000), as these are genuine exotic skins I can say that prices are high but match the items quality for sure. Adriana's handbags are made in trendy colors but they are not one season wonders by no means, each of these pieces can easily be worn for years as your closets signature item.

You can see more of Adriana Castro's purses by following her blog, Facebook, Twitter and website. Soon you will be able to read the short interview I did with Adriana, please post your question in the comment if you would like to ask her a question and I will include it in my interview.

Sugar-free is the key!

As those who read my posts regularly know, I have a rather dynamic lifestyle.

 On top of writing my fashion blog and fashion/lifestyle column on Female.hr portal, I also work for a large multinational company where there is always lots of interesting projects and events which often extend to weekend. I am sure I would not be able to do it all if I wasn't naturally so hyper on top but I also drink at least two coffees a day and a can of Red Bull on the most hectic days to keep my energy up and keep me going.

I learned how to „survive“ sleepless days when working on a big events such as trade show Fashion Coterie in NYC for showroom Seven and interning on New York Fashion Week and getting up after only an hour of sleep following the after party to go to work next morning. 

Red Bull sugar free was together with energy bar, almonds, a bottle of water and a basic make up one of the essentials in my purse.

To stay healthy, I am trying to work out as much as possible and detox during weekends by really eating healthy home cooked food and drinking lots of water. The most effective work out regime for me is 45min to an hour run a day when it's warm, but I also do Zumba and Pilates indoors during cold weather whenever I get the chance. Also, I walk my dog Papi 2-3 times a day so that keeps me moving as well.

Considering my lifestyle described above I was excited to get this opportunity to collaborate with Red Bull on their Red Bull sugar free campaign as I can definitely personally relate to the lifestyle of the type of ladies they are targeting with this campaign. J

I was at each of these stages which many of you my readers now are or will be soon! Things I love about this product are low calorie count – only 3 cal per 100ml (which is 7.5cal per can - no joke!) it keeps me focused and it gives me that kick in the butt which I need around 4pm on the most stressful work days.

Their funny new commercial inspired me to put together couple of fierce looks for different stages of busy working women’s life J Remember ladies - whatever you can conceive and believe you can achieve!

I hope you like the looks! Lovely giveaway is to follow soon!

You can find Red Bull on Twitter & Facebook for more information & you can view their adorable TV commercial customized for women bellow. There is also a Croatian version of the same commercial in the right column of my blog.

You go Zebra girl! :)