Alesya Bags

Friday was the Center for Women Purse Auction.  It was a big night for me – the first bag was not only making its public debut, but it was being auctioned off as part of a package.

The event started with a silent auction on over 100 bags done by local artists and designers.  I bid on – and won! – two.  The first one is pictured above and below.  It’s from blogger and seamstress Jenima Hadjian of Sewcial.  She’s also wearing one of her own creations in the photo below.

The second bag I won was from designer Anne Trabue Watson.  I think it’s going to be a fab day bag for all my lunch dates downtown.  I especially liked the pattern.

While I was mingling, I had talk to the man with the blue hair.  Turns out he’s local stylist and Dancing with the Stars contestant Jeffery Rhodes.  Photographer Jeni Rone took a picture of us and his date William.  Jeni’s purse is also pictured below.

Then came the live auction.  My husband and good friend Charlotte came for moral support.  The Center for Women’s Executive Director Jennet Robinson Alterman started introducing the packages and taking live bids.

My package came up about 3rd to last.  Surprisingly, Jennet called me up on stage and introduced me to the group (pictured below).  She also had me explain what kind of bag it was.  When the volunteer showing the Alesya Bag couldn’t find the laptop section I took the bag and demonstrated it myself.  When I opened it up people actually “ooohhhed and ahhheed”!

When the bidding started about 20 hands went up in the air!  It ended up coming down to two people.  One of them was my friend and realtor, Brenda Piaskowski.  She really wanted to have the first bag and I was completely floored by her support.  (Besides being an amazing friend, Brenda is a terrific realtor.  We recommend to everyone in the Charleston area.)

But Brenda didn’t win.  The winner was the petite woman on the left hand side of the photo above.  She has her arm half way up in the air and is wearing a black dress with white buttons.  Here winning bid was $1400!  It was the highest bid of the night for any package.

Writer Angie Mizzell summed it up best on her blog:

A package including a Saluda mountain getaway and a to-die-for laptop bag created by local designer Alesya Opelt sold for more than its $1,000 value. If you saw this bag, you’d understand. Women actually squealed.

My one regret from the evening was that I didn’t get to meet and thank the winner.  If you know this woman, could you please let her know I’m trying to get in contact with her?  I’d love to send her a thank-you note for her generous donation.

All in all it was a very, very successful debut.  Thank you to everyone who came out to support such a worthy cause.  Hope to see you again next year.