Urban Southern’s beautiful spotlight feature was written by Ashley Shaw and originally published in Southern Lady Magazine, The Autumn Issue, 2017. 

Behind the Scenes of My Photoshoot for Southern Lady Magazine

Photography by Nancy Center  |  Makeup by Jenna Reeves

When Meg and I did an event in Birmingham, Alabama this year, we met someone who told us she wrote for the Southern Lady magazine. A few weeks later Ashley Shaw reached out to me about doing a Southern Spotlight about my inspirations behind Urban Southern. She called me a week later and we had so much fun just chatting about the beginning of Urban Southern, the inspirations behind the designs, and of course our mutual love of all things southern!

She also asked for a few recent photos of me with the bags, and since I hadn’t (ever) done that, I called my friend Nancy and asked for her help. She immediately called in her friend Jenna who is a make up artist and she came out to Nancy’s home studio and we all just had the best time together! Jenna did my makeup, Nancy set up the shots, and I simply had fun playing with my leather bags while she took photos!

Three years ago when I first started thinking about designing my first collection, I spent hours online looking at bag designs. I came across a photo of a girl in a vintage military uniform holding so many leather bags. ⠀
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That photo stayed in my mind for the last few years, and randomly I would think about recreating it with my own designs. ⠀
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During our photoshoot, Nancy Center helped me realize my vision, and we recreated that shot with me and my own designs. There’s no vintage military uniform, but all the bags are there!

Published: Styled with Purpose

Southern Spotlight by Ashley Shaw in Southern Lady Magazine

A Tennessee-based business empowers women while bringing their own unique style to the leather goods industry. 

“While fashion trends come and go as fleetingly as winter in the South, there are some accessories that remain steadfast in every woman’s wardrobe: a strand of pearls, a flattering black dress, a crisp white blouse, and a leather handbag. Recognizing this abiding niche, Regina Bauman, owner and designer of Urban Southern, sought to make her mark with accessories that would showcase the timeless beauty and versatility of naturally tanned cowhide.”

“With the encouragement and expertise of her husband, a third-generation leather craftsman, Regina’s vision not only for a collection of everyday style essentials, but also for a lifestyle brand with a unifying message, began to take shape.”

“As Urban Southern attracted growing support, Regina recruited her cousin and best friend, Meg Delagrange, to help her articulate the company’s mantra: “Urban Southern is for everyone.” Intrigued by the clean lines and elegant restraint of her designs, customers expressed their desire for a bag that would complement all facets of their day-today routine. It was this idea that inspired Regina and Meg to parlay their products into a sense of community for women from all walks of life.”

‘ “To me, the everyday woman can really be anybody,” says Regina, “no matter what her everyday looks like: a career woman, a stay-at-home mom, a single woman, or an older woman with grown children.” ‘

“From the chic and edgy Triangle Clutch to Urban Southern’s signature piece, The Market Tote, each piece exemplifies Regina’s eye for artful subtlety. “I’m always inspired by simplicity,” she says, “Sometimes I have big ideas, and I start taking details away until it’s just the absolute bare essentials.” ‘

‘ “Each crafted from a single piece of locally sourced and unprocessed leather, the bags are stitched, stamped, and sewn together in Tennessee by Regina’s sister, Ruby. Understated accents, such as hardware and brass button closures, allow the natural leather to shine, giving any outfit a touch of simple luxury. Comfortable shoulder straps and unembellished handles make for effortless function and a classic aesthetic.”

“Just as authentic leather patinas beautifully with use, the impassioned work of Urban Southern’s team is enriched by their commitment to bringing everyday women together—”whether they’re going to the office, running errands, or wrangling kiddos,” Regina explains. “Urban Southern is us, all of us.” ‘

Pick up your copy of The Autumn Issue of Southern Lady at store newsstands across the south or order it online.

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