Bursting with personality, Haute & Happy bags are the creation of founder, Kelly Checchio, who believes fashion should spark joy. Created in 2019, Haute & Happy pieces are bright and bold, blending high-style with a playful twist. With vibrant colors and whimsical details that lend themselves to joy, these bags are more than accessories. Haute & Happy bags (and now hats!) are wearable celebrations of self-expression.
What led you to start Haute & Happy Bags?
Haute & Happy began from my lifelong love of accessories and people constantly stopping me to ask where I got my pieces. Over time, I realized I wanted to start my own company. It began with a few curated pieces of jewelry and it quickly became clear that I needed more than just fashion—I needed a creative outlet. I created hand-embellished bags. It became my way to share a little joy and sunshine through style.
Did you have a background in fashion, design, or business before launching the brand?
I didn’t come from a traditional fashion or design background—just a real love for beautiful things and the confidence to follow that passion. I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands, being creative, and finding ways to make everyday pieces feel special. Haute & Happy grew organically from that.
What was the moment or inspiration that sparked the idea for Haute & Happy?
Being a full-time mom, I wanted to have an outlet that allowed me to have an identity outside my home and also show my children that anything you love you can make a reality. It clicked when I realized how much joy I got, not just from wearing accessories, but from seeing others light up when they wore them too. I started experimenting with rhinestone brooches on straw bags, and once I saw the magic of sparkle meeting natural textures, I was hooked. It was the perfect mix of creative expression and fashion while creating my own work-life balance.
How would you describe the aesthetic of a Haute & Happy bag?
Its major motto is “look haute, feel happy!” Every Haute & Happy bag is hand-embellished with care and creativity. I love that balance—the earthy texture paired with playful glamour. They also become very personalized. Each boutique curates individually personalized bags which are unique to their customer. The southern stores love the bee, while my coastal boutiques swoon over a starfish or crab. Every bag also comes with a special blurb, a little story or sentiment about the brooches “spirit animal” and the joy it can bring to your life. It’s all about carrying a purse with purpose. It's wearable art! For example, the clutch that has a bee brooch carries a tag with the sentiment: "THE BUMBLEBEE IS A MESSENGER, BRINGING THE SECRETS OF LIFE AND SERVICE. IF THIS IS YOUR POWER ANIMAL AND YOUR ENERGY IS SCATTERED, THE BUMBLEBEE CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO BECOME FOCUSED AGAIN. IF YOU ARE STUNG, THE MESSAGE HERE IS WAKE UP: FOLLOW THE RHYTHM OF YOUR OWN HEARTBEAT." XO, HAUTE & HAPPY
What craftsmanship details set your bags apart from others on the market?
Each bag is hand-embellished with beautiful brooches or other special sparkle, which makes it unique and personal. I work with lots of materials like straw and raffia, vegan leathers and natural Italian suede that I layer in color, sparkle, and texture.
What is the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner in the fashion world?
While the creative process is joyful and rewarding, building the brand hasn’t come without challenges. As a full-time mom, balancing motherhood with the hands-on demands of a small business requires constant juggling. There are a lot of late nights and multitasking moments. But it’s also taught me how to be resourceful, present, and to celebrate the little wins—whether it’s getting a new product out the door or simply getting reorders, I want each piece to feel personal and special, which takes time and care. I love designing and making, but it can be a lot. Still, knowing people are out there carrying and loving these pieces makes it all worth it.
Are there any designs or collections that hold special meaning for you personally? Absolutely. Some of the first designs I created were so personal—they reflected my mood, my hopes, or even memories from a trip. I still feel a connection to those early pieces, and any time someone picks one of them and tells me why it speaks to them, it’s such a full-circle moment.
What’s your creative process like when dreaming up a new piece or collection?
Inspiration usually strikes when I least expect it—on a beach walk, through a reel on social media, vintage pieces, or even seeing a certain color combo. I dream up ideas, collect brooches, and then start playing with materials until something clicks. It’s very hands-on and instinctive. Each bag really starts with a feeling I want to capture.
What’s next for Haute & Happy?
I’m so excited about our new line of embellished straw hats. Like the bags, each one has its own unique vibe and personality. I’m also working on expanding into more in-person pop-ups and collaborations that reflect the brand. There’s lots more sparkle to come. I’m always dreaming up new ways to make summer sparkle, even if it’s just one accessory at a time. Still, the heart of Haute & Happy remains the same: spreading joy through thoughtful, beautiful design. “Look Haute, Feel Happy!”
HauteAndHappy.com
"Once I saw the magic of sparkle meeting natural textures, I was hooked."
"I dream up ideas, collect brooches, and then start playing with materials until something clicks."