Alirags produces one of a kind, hand-made accessories. The company began in 1997 when Ali Levasseur began putting the label, alirags, on her fashion designs. While studying Studio Art at Clarke College, Ali began creating designs on a person-to-person basis. After college she began to focus on designing bag and purse patterns. Alirags has moved from a hobby to a heartfelt venture, aiming to create original items for daily use with a spark of fun and creativity. Alirags patterns of purses, totes, and bags for women and men are named after people from the creator’s life. Each pattern is made from different fabrics and is original down to the separate embellishments inspired as each bag is made. The inspiration for patterns may come from the fabric, from other bags, from necessity, or personal materials. The prototype for one pattern, “Max”, was made from Ali’s grandfather’s neck ties. That brings us to the idea of alirags custom orders. Ali loves to reuse items; custom orders can be made from personal fabrics such as old neckties, dresses, curtains, or other possibilities. Alirags is not a click and buy web page, nor a site for custom orders only. Alirags is a gallery of bags made to be individually purchased. Some are still available, others are not. Orders may be taken for a pattern of bag, but because each bag is handmade, these orders will take time to fill. Custom orders, as discussed above, will also take time. Don’t be surprised when you receive your bag with a safety pin. This is an important part of your alirags bag. Each bag has a safety pin because you never know you may need one –in case a button pops off, your jeans rip, or you get a new band patch and need to put it on right away. With alirags at your side, you will always have a safety pin, and a one of a kind creation.