Disney & Vera Bradley Partner to Create New Line of Bags

Whether you love them or think that they’re better suited on your grandmother’s arm, Vera Bradley is a popular choice for women’s handbags. For years, Disney park guests have sported Vera’s totes, backpacks, wristlets, luggage, and duffles during their vacations. The combination of the patterns’ bright colors and the versatility of the bags’ designs have made them excellent choices for traveling throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Much to the surprise and joy of many, Disney and Vera Bradley announced this morning that they will be partnering together to create a new line of bags to be released this fall.

Image: Disney Merchandise & Vera Bradley Join Together to Create New Line

Known for the company’s soft, quilted fabric bags and colorful accessories, Vera Bradley has undoubtedly earned the reputation as being at the forefront of the gift industry. Based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the company began in 1982 when co-founders Patricia R. Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard recognized that feminine-looking luggage was almost non-existent in stores. Within weeks, the two created the company, which is named after Baekgaard’s mother, and began down the road to where it is today – that of a nationally and internationally recognized business enjoyed by many.

Images: Vera Bradley is one of the leaders in designing comfortable, yet feminine luggage and accessories.

It only seems natural that Disney Merchandise and Vera Bradley would join together to provide products that are both pretty and fun especially since so many park visitors already use Vera bags. “In recent years, we’ve seen several guests in our parks and resorts sporting fun, colorful bags by Vera Bradley,” explained Cathy Dawson, merchandiser for accessories at Disney Parks. “Even our Disney Cruise Line team recently added some items by Vera Bradley to the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. We thought it would be wonderful to add a splash of Disney to these popular and colorful accessory items.”

Image: Two new Vera Bradley patterns have been designed with Disney fans in mind.

Set for release in the fall of 2013, the new Vera Bradley Disney line will feature both Mickey and Minnie Mouse hidden in two new floral patterns. The first, “Just Mousing Around,” is a vibrant design filled with pinks, oranges, purples, and yellows. Our favorite Disney friends are spotted throughout the fabric posing in their traditional fashion from the late 1920s – Mickey with his red shorts and Minnie in her blue and white dress. The second design, which happens to be my favorite of the two, offers and entirely different choice due to its bold colors. This pattern, termed “Midnight with Mickey,” features a black background and bright blues, pinks, greens, and yellows. Of course, Mickey and Minnie make their appearances as well. I can see both patterns becoming extremely popular over the course of the next year.

Image: Tote bags and duffel bags, like those seen here, will feature the new Disney-inspired patterns.

In terms of styles, the collection will include both bags and accessories. Tote bags, duffels, cosmetic bags, hipsters, and more are to be among the first options available. Because Disney park guests look for bags that are easy to carry and sift through, these choices will provide a great way to keep your things organized for travel. The many pockets Vera Bradley bags have are perfect for sunglasses, water bottles, park maps, and more. For those going on a short trip, the various sizes of duffel bags available will also be a big plus.

I’m thoroughly excited to see the new Vera Bradley Disney line. Like Dooney & Bourke and LeSportsac, these bags are sure to hit the shelves and sell out quickly. They will initially be sold at select stores in Walt Disney World and Disneyland and later online. One should expect that they will be difficult to find in the first few weeks of being available to the public. Until then, be sure to stop by Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival Center to get a preview of what’s to come. You can find them just inside the building near the merchandise location. Happy shopping!

UPDATE:

Now that the Flower & Garden Festival is underway, I thought I’d share a few photos of the Vera display. Enjoy!

Image Credits

Disney Media

Vera Bradley Media

L. Zanolla

Tags: Disney shopping, duffel bags, epcot, featured, Festival Center, Flower and Garden Festival, flower garden, hand bags, handbags, Merchandise, Mickey, Minnie, park bags, Vera Bradley

Category: Disney World, Disneyland, Merchandise