POV: Sarah and I are downing sopes & margs after a long work day (at Sōl Squad Spot: Mezcal in Lawrenceville.) I had just glanced to my right and instantly recognized our pebbled-leather, Italian boots sitting below the next table. The lacing up to the knees, the fresh lug sole… (*gasp*) the gal sporting them is just as effortlessly cool, Adrienne Guariglia, designer/owner of Sister Epic. Her branding is exceptional, products are stunning, and overall vibe is next level!
I'm a long time admirer, giddy with excitement that she's wearing our boots, and far too shy to say, “hello!” My sweet hubby laughs at me, leans over to ask where she got them, and tells her I’m the owner of that shop. Her enthusiasm for The Sōl Collective is apparent as she raves about buying a second pair of the boots to send her mom. We’re instantly planning future drinks and gushing over each others’ businesses.
QUICK, someone get us a movie deal, bc it’s the perfect small-biz-buddy meet cute!
"Being able to finally put my all into something of my very own was instantly more gratifying than any promised corporate income." - A.G.
Who What Wear?
Originally from Chicago, Adrienne Guariglia is a massively talented, one-woman show. After design school and a stint in visual merchandising and display design at big names like ALLSAINTS and Zara, she took the leap and launched her first leather bag, the 2121 Oakley Bag, named for the sentimental locations of her first leather-hide purchase while in design school and last Chicago apartment before moving to Pittsburgh.
She admits that transitioning from a corporate role was “scary as hell and truly a leap of faith,” but being able to finally put her all into something of her own was far more gratifying than any promised corporate income. “It fed my drive in a whole new way,” she says.
The Launch
Hosted at distillery and cocktail hotspot in Pittsburgh, KingFly, her launch party in 2019 was a quiet success, as Adrienne’s friends and family came out in full force to purchase her first collection. Since then, she has relentlessly hustled at local markets, store pop-ups, and eventually launched her website, shipping both domestically on her own and now internationally through London-based, retail powerhouse, Wolf & Badger.
“While I hold my work to the highest standard, I like to laugh my ass off and I'm pretty weird sometimes...”
-A.G.
(Beyond her gorg product, this realness is why we love her!)
The "It" Factor
Adrienne’s eye for unexpected prints and saturated hues fused with her sharp, geometric-tailoring have customers feeling simultaneously badass and sophisticated when draped in her accessories.
At quick glance, her goods look uniquely beautiful, of course, but up close, prepare to be schooled in design execution. Adrienne’s hyper focus on quality materials and intricate finishes guarantee durability and longevity. For me, in the shoe industry, we are constantly on alert for misses in production, so imagine my elation when every. single. Sister Epic purchase has blown away all my expectations!
Handmade handbags and totes you may expect to be priced in the $400-600 range will shock you at a $145-395 price point, and the Sister Epic mainstay chunky-chain necklaces $55-75 are no-brainer purchases for an everyday statement piece or easy gift.
Styling Sister Epic
For Bryn and I, styling the pieces from Adrienne’s summer drop was almost too easy. The polished edginess on every silhouette will carry anyyyy outfit. Go basic, go bold, go preppy, go beachy… but whatever you do GO snag one of her limited edition, handmade bags before they’re gone!
-Kiersten
Want the whole look? Shop below.
Look #2:
Summer Nights
Inspired by:
The Keeffe Clutch & Billie Chain (small version)
Shop the clutch HERE and choker HERE.
Want the whole look? Shop below.
Look #2:
Modern Ballerina
Inspired by:
The Kiki Baguette & Billie Chain (long version)
Shop the handbag HERE and necklace HERE.
Want the whole look? Shop below.
Oh, and snag my new fav oxford shirt HERE if you like!
Thanks for reading, and happy (local) shopping!
Xx The Sōl Squad