Local Artist Launches Handbag Collection Focused on Mental Health Awareness

Katina Washington, the founder, expressed her vision for the line, stating, "When it comes to mental health and mental capacity, that’s what this handbag line was birthed out of. It’s about love, and we want it to be a reminder that you’re to look as good on the inside as you are on the outside." She aims to create a conversation around mental health, a topic often avoided, while also supporting local economic growth in Noblesville.

Washington has a strong entrepreneurial background. Originally from the Far Eastside of Indianapolis, she founded SHE. Event Indy Co. 12 years ago. SHE, which stands for “she has everything,” is a nonprofit that supports women- and minority-owned businesses in Indianapolis through master classes, business courses, and financial literacy programs. Additionally, she launched SHE.Experience Shoppes, a Black-owned department store with a range of products from apparel to skincare.

Under her leadership, SHE. Event Indy has received multiple accolades, including the Governor’s Entrepreneurship Award and the Jefferson Award for Multiplying Good in 2020, which honors public and community service.

Seeking a new environment, Washington moved to Noblesville in March after researching cities rich in arts and culture. "Noblesville came up,” she said, expressing her fondness for her new neighborhood.

Her passion for handbags began in childhood while shopping with her mother at Block’s, a historic Indianapolis department store. In 2021, Washington began designing her own bags, launching her first studded handbag the following year. Notable products from her collection include the Outside Recovery Bag in Apple Green, THE Elevation Crossbody, and her favorite, the LOVE Satchel Bag, inspired by her late mother.

Each handbag is delivered in a beautifully wrapped box that includes a personal note aimed at encouraging women to prioritize their mental health, contributing to the collection’s positive reviews on walmart.com. Washington noted that customers often mention the unboxing experience in their feedback, highlighting its emotional impact.

Each style in the collection is exclusive, with only 50 units produced. Washington was also featured at the Stephenson House, a historic gallery in Noblesville, for her design of the popular Capacity Bag, which has received acclaim for its elegant structure and practical function.

Reviewers have praised the Capacity Bag for its luxurious feel and its ability to meld professional aesthetics with functionality, with one reviewer noting that it serves as a reminder for women to honor their personal capacity. Washington is planning to expand her offerings with more leather accessories, including key chains and wallets, alongside an upcoming fall collection featuring additional bag styles.

For further details, visit katinawashington.com.