From Pawtucket to Hollywood, Local Designer Turns Art Into Accessory

Designer handbags are all the rage. One Rhode Island artist has taken his signature style to a new level — transforming his artwork into accessory. Kent Stetson's creations are as close as your hand.

"Twenty-two years ago, if someone had told me I'd be making my purses from my artwork, I don't know if I'd be happy hearing that," Stetson said. "Now, I'm living the dream."

Stetson's handmade handbags are colorful, whimsical and topical. They travel from his studio in a historic Pawtucket mill to hundreds of boutiques worldwide. The purses are even clutched by celebrities such as Martha Stewart, Sarah Jessica Parker and Megan Thee Stallion. The bags are a fusion of art and accessory.

"I think in terms of art, it's interactive, it's modular," Stetson said. "I think it speaks in a kind of interesting way."

Stetson came to the world of high fashion from humble roots. He grew up in a log cabin on a working horse farm in New Hampshire. He studied studio art at Brown Universityand began his career making digital paintings; colorful, abstract pieces.

But when they did not sell well, Stetson pivoted by placing his art on an envelope-style purse.

"A handbag gave me more license to be fun than I ever felt I had permission to do with a piece hanging on the wall," he said. "And so almost instantly I made pieces that were a bit irreverent and tongue-in-cheek and funny."

Stetson believes when you carry one of his purses, it's an icebreaker and starts a conversation. They sell for an average of $200 to $300 and a number of them support charitable causes. Stetson says each bag takes 50 steps and three days to complete. But with "purse-severance," he's making a statement.

Stetson said his purses will do all the talking for you.

"People are going to say something, you're going to light up the room," he said. "So if you want to be left alone, if you want a chill, low-key evening — do not carry one of my pieces."