See "Flashbags: A Movie"
Come behind the scenes at the Flashpad and see what we do to carry your conversations to you!
Our Mission
is to create an impressionable vehicle to showcase what an individual or organization honors most, prompting conversation of shared values, stories and creativity. We manufacture and design Flashbags in Vermont with awareness of and commitment to social, environmental, and community consciousness.
- Made in Vermont
Our Philosophy
After 4 years in business, Flashbags has learned that our customers love Flashbags because they evoke emotion- a connection to something that matters most to an individual, and provide an opportunity to share with others this love- whether art, a special place, a child, a message, or a mission. Flashbags' loyal customers appreciate a small business, founded by two teachers, who discovered an irresistible product, and figured out how to manufacture in Vermont. Our strength as a company is in our partnerships. An individual, an artist, a non profit, or a business - we know that our company has grown because people have embraced our mission and tell others.
- Ta da...
We are a grassroots company and we know that it is your conversation that carries us.
It is very important to us that each product is its own piece of art- fusing form and function and delivering to the world a bag with an energy of its own. We love art, making new products, and sharing it with the world. But we recognize that in some ways - less is more. We promise to introduce new art, new images, and product design regularly, offering a carefully selected group of images that reflect the essence of the seasons. Flashbags are not designer handbags with a fancy label at an extravagant price.
Flashbags are an affordable, innovative, artistic, and functional products that allow you to carry YOUR conversation.
- Laura and Ali wearing handmade Flash Dresses!
The Founders
Flashbags was founded in 2006 by Ali Marchildon and Laura Cheney. After being introduced by mutual friends, these two former teachers teamed up to create the plan for growing Flashbags out of Ali's living room and into the real world. It started with one home sewing machine, an idea and a desire to share it with others. Now, our customers are a part of the creative process, making others smile and carrying conversations forward.
The Flashbags BUZZ!
The One Fashion Event for the Boys and Girls Club
We believed but we had our doubts that we could make fashion out of scraps and leftovers. Cardstock prints, vinyl ends, tissue paper backing, and newspaper strips - a concept, scissors and sewing machines, our good mannequin Mabel, and some good music and we had a runway splash!
Flashbags: Form, Function...and Fabulous!
Within earshop of the rushing Winooski River, on the west side of the Chace Mill, is world headquarters of Flashbags. Laura Cheney greets me enthusiastically at the door with a huge smile and welcome. She is obviously proud of the product she and her former business partner, Ali Marchildon, developed three years ago.
Flashbags, Wearing a Conversation
Vermont Business Magazine featured Flashbags in an article chronicling how this unique Vermont business was born, grew up, made headlines, faced challenges, and how it continues to solidify it's brand and thrive! See the article!
- The Education Conversation
Flashbags includes schools in conversation
"Vermonters have been such an essential part of the growth of Flashbags. We want to give back the enthusiasm and pride that has been given to us," said Laura Cheney, a co-founder. "The Education Conversation is one way for us to create a collaborative environment connecting the community, business and youth. It leverages all of our strengths and funnels them into more powerful outcomes for all."
-- Compiled by Myra Mathis-Flynn, for the Free Press Published 11/16/09
- Funky handbags and the equally funky Flash Baguettes.
The Flash Baguettes
Our signature shot featuring a collection of funky handbags, and the equally funky Flash Baguettes, is only the beginning of the "BUZZ" here at Flashbags. Scroll down the page for a quick look at a few highlights including our feature in the current issue of Vermont Life magazine. Feel free to browse our full line of unique handmade handbags.
Vermont Life Feature
Our funky Flashbags are featured in the current issue of Vermont Life Magazine. Visit the Vermont Life website to read the article.
- "Best of Burlington" Spring 2008 - Photo by Rose Murphy
The Best of Burlington - Flashbags First Cover!
Flashbags and our funky handbags were featured in the spring 2008 issue of a new magazine called "The Best of Burlington" by Coffee Table Publishing. Click here to read the whole article by Anne Macleod and see Rose Murphy's fabulous shots of our bags. Rose is one of our artisans so we were thrilled to have her eye behind the camera for the shoot.
Flashbags on HGTV
Ali was filmed making a "photo collage bag" for a segment of HGTV's #1 show, "That's Clever!" The show will air Fall '07. We'll keep you posted on the air date, but in the meantime you can catch a sneak peak from the shoot.
- "Brand New Bag" by Pamela Polston
"Brand New Bag" - an article by Pamela Polston
Flashbags was featured last spring in Burlington, Vermont's weekly paper, "Seven Days." Read Pamela Polston's inspired prose about our innovative "brand new" bags. Seven Days Article
- Jack Thurston's "Made in Vermont" piece on Flashbags
Flashbags Funky Handbags on Local CBS News
Before Flashbags had a website, a business phone, or a bank account, we were featured on the local CBS affiliate WCAX for Jack Thurston's weekly piece called "Made in Vermont." You can watch the piece on our WCAX Video buzz page.