Driven to empower and celebrate female trendsetters, Vera Bradley invited UK-based fashion and lifestyle creator, Natasha Ahmed, to collaborate on a spring nature-scape collection of straw bags.
Ahmed gracefully illustrated the lifelike butterflies, lilies, bumblebees, and more that you will find beautifully embroidered in this lightweight collection.
"I was inspired by the flowers in my own garden to reflect the warmth you feel at the start of spring,” Ahmed said. “The designs feel neutral but with pops of burnt orange, sage green, and violet.”
The lightweight collection of smartly designed, sturdy styles (that easily shake off dirt and sand from a day at the beach!) includes a Straw Bucket Tote, Straw Mini Totepack, Straw Crossbody, Straw RFID Convertible Wristlet, and Straw RFID Double Zip ID. Each style reflects quality and thoughtful construction, with pockets and zips designed by people who know and love bags.
Ahmed said she adores each bag but has a favorite:
“The Convertible Wristlet, absolutely,” she said. “I love a shoulder bag that sits right under the arm. It feels very '90s, and it’s the perfect everyday size for me. I love that you can convert it into a wristlet to dress it up as a clutch or even a wallet.”
Ahmed has long loved Vera Bradley’s bold style, empowering company culture and commitment to making the world a brighter place. The socially conscious influencer said she was “speechless” when Vera Bradley invited her to collaborate. Growing up, Ahmed looked to the iconic brand for pattern inspiration, so the experience feels “full circle,” she said.
"Having the opportunity to design with a renowned brand wasn’t something I thought I would achieve so soon,” said the 26-year-old. “I always look at vintage prints from VB for inspiration, as you can see from my own collection. I especially love the Animal Kingdom print, with the navy background, paisley, and jungle animals.”
Ahmed said the collaboration has inspired her to keep creating, and she urges women of any age to do the same. Remember, Vera Bradley’s founders were parents in their 40s before they started the iconic brand!
“Always keep learning and researching to keep you feeling inspired,” she said. “Develop your skills and refine your style to be the truest form of you.”
Creative expression brings us together and helps us stand out. Vera Bradley collections — including this natural wonder — add joy to the world and keep our essentials in check. Brighten your spring with this stunning collection available on verabradley.com. Learn more about Ahmed and check out her work at @natashahmedx on Instagram or sixteenth.co/natasha-ahmed.
