ABOUT SHANA

Growing up in Pennsylvania, I was no stranger to arts and design. As a child and teen, I was heavily involved in dance and fine arts, exploring painting, drawing, printmaking, and even sculpture. This artistic journey eventually led me to pursue a degree in fashion at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, a choice influenced in part by the allure of the picturesque brownstones in the school's brochure.

 

The journey into design continued as I developed my eponymous handbag brand following experiences with various independent NYC brands. My fans recognized my brand for the quality craftsmanship and sleek, modern styles developed and produced by myself and a small in-house crew in Brooklyn.

 

Always having a strong interest in interiors (and trying to decorate our tiny Brooklyn rental apartment the best I could), my hands-on experience in interior design truly flourished during the renovation of our Catskills vacation home in 2021. Working with a general contractor, we transformed our 70s-era, 3-bedroom/1-bathroom residence into a modern 4-bedroom/2-bathroom serene mountain retreat, now available for Airbnb guests under the handle @thegreenepines.

 

Upstate NY has always been a weekend escape for us—whether with friends or just us. So in 2023, my husband and I decided to make it more permanent and make the beautiful Hudson Valley our new home. Saying goodbye to Brooklyn (with plenty of tears), we packed up our tiny apartment and moved our two young girls and cattle dog. The move to Kingston marked not only a change in location but also a professional pivot. I chose to close my handbag brand and embark on a new venture in interior design. Although I may consider designing leather goods again in the future, my design mind is currently focused on interior design.

 

I’m fully embracing the multi-hyphenate journey, so if you’re interested in working together, let’s chat!