THE DESIGNER SUITES: DESIGNER MOLLIE CULLIGAN’S JACKRABBIT ACCESSORIES COLLECTION AND HER NEW BOOK, “NINJA CHICK”

Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, courtesy of the Jack Rabbit Collection

WHERE: MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK AT SMASHBOX STUDIOS [LA]


“You have to meet Mollie [Culligan], not just come-in and see the bags her assistant Kevin, told me. You’ll see, he promised, she’s really special, a character." The comment piqued my interest, as did the fact that Mollie was also a published author. Her book, Ninja Chick, [Six Sacred Lessons For Becoming Cheeky, In Charge, and simply genius!] sounded, well, interesting. After half a dozen of emails and phone calls, I was finally in front of Mollie, a tall brunette who could have passed for a model or actress.
Her Jack Rabbit Collection, was display in the Design Pavilion, right in front. There were some great little evening bags and belts in very high quality leather. Mollie shared her “journey” from her getting her start in the accessories market. Her break came when retailer Fred Siegal picked up the cuffs she was spray-painting in her garage. Belts and bags came next as did Ninja Chick, the book she just “had to write”.

Ninja promises to help us “say good-bye to the fragility of your life – because as a ninja chick, you are finally in control…you’ll emerge a dynamic, lovable, and confident ninja chick who’s got it going on.”
Back home, on the East Coast, I cracked open the book.
Two chapters into Ninja Chick, I found I couldn’t wait to read more as my pre-going to bed treat. The book is emotionally comforting and one immediately feels a bond with the author, who is a very brave and engaging woman in addition to being a talented accessories designer. She gets into the behind-the-scenes side of what it takes to be a woman today in a world that seemingly demands that one look like Barbie and like Barbie, never break a sweat or ever look awkward or insecure.
As an added bonus, Mollie offers helpful little aromatherapy tips, such as “for muscular aches and pains, put some peppermint essential oil in the hollow of your collarbone. In the throes of a low-grade flu, we gave it a try. It works!
Says Mollie, “Ninja puts a thumbprint on who we [women] are as a collective group.”

The Jack Rabbit Collection – city chic Bags and Belts
These little quilted bags that would have received Audrey Hepburn’s stamp of approval. “The Petite Audrey” has been spotted on Hollywood types such as Lucy Liu who need just these kinds of clean and sleek city bags to complete their outfit. What makes these bags shine are those all-important details – hand cut brass with 18k gold plating on top, Italian zippers and bullet rivets and “soft as buttah” Italian quilted leather. Although the pieces hail from Italy, we love that the bags are made entirely in Los Angeles.
Approximate retail price: $300 – 500

Belts are still going strong and Mollie’s got a colorful array of them.
What’s special: She’s taken high quality leather that’s made for handbags and has taught her craftsmen to cut it which results in one h—l of a refined belt.
Our favorite: “the Cary Grant”

*Ninja Chick, by Mollie Culligan, New American Library, 2007, $12.95
The Jack Rabbit Collection: tel. 323-461-4974
www.thejackrabbitcollection.com