Killer Cuffz

Linz Shelton's unique take on handbags (and handcuffs) has changed the face of accessories forever, attracting a loyal following including Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera and more.

Given the choice, most of us would opt to stay out of handcuffs... depending on the circumstances, of course. But if Linz Shelton has her way, we'll be wearing them as a fashion accessory for years to come courtesy of her unique line of purses, Cuffz by Linz . In five short years the company went from a one-person hobby into a worldwide empire supported by the likes of Paris Hilton (feel free to insert your own "Paris In Handcuffs" joke here.) And it all started as a laugh amongst friends.

Overseas in 2002, Shelton considered herself a punk rock kid that wasn't into the tiny clutch purse phenomenon that was gripping the fashion world at the time. So as she began spending more and more time at high-end parties frequented by Puff Daddy – "It wasn't my scene at all – I was totally out of my element," she confesses – Shelton broke down and bought one of those coveted tiny purses, and proceeded to lose it at nearly every shindig she went to. After the umpteenth time of losing her ID and worldly goods, inspiration hit.

"I went to Camden Market one day and saw this bag, and then I spotted a pair of handcuffs," she recalls. "I found someone who was willing to cut the cuffs into parts and figured out how to put them together with the purse so that I could handcuff it to my wrist. So the next night we went out partying, I walked out and said, 'I'm ready to go!' They all thought it was hilarious."

Someone who got the joke? Christina Aguilera. It just so happened the party Shelton and her friends attended that night was that of the songstress, and everyone went crazy for it. Soon Shelton was fielding calls from people looking for one of her original creations. It became so lucrative that by the time Shelton returned to California and settled in L.A. , she'd decided to make a go of making it a full-time gig.

"I was a retail buyer during the day and a cocktail waitress at night so I could start the line," Shelton says. "When I transferred to UCLA I made samples and took them to a trade show, and Lisa Klein was my first order. She said, 'Don't sell to anyone else on Robertson - I want your line!'"

As a thanks for taking a chance on her off-the-wall design, Shelton created a special Lisa Klein logo Cuffz bag especially for her. As soon as the bags hit the Lisa Klein store on Robertson, they were a hit. Shelton remembers the day Klein called her to tell her that Paris Hilton came in and bought one in ever color. Says Shelton , "I said, 'Wonderful! Who is Paris Hilton?'"

She didn't know then, but she sure does now. Shelton 's fans include Hilton, Fergie, Jamie Pressley, Adrienne Curry, Tori Spelling, Rachel Hunter, and many, many more. And though the "bondage light" approach to handbags have served her well, Shelton is looking to expand her vision a little, incorporating more subtle handcuff details on future versions of purses by using the symbolism in zipper pulls, clasps and other decorative beats. But in terms of the main line, one question everyone wants to know is... are they really handcuffs?

"They're actually Taiwanese military issue handcuffs with a serial number," says Shelton . "So depending on how you cut them apart, some purses will have cuffs with the serial number still on them, so you can tell they're the real authentic deal."

Which causes great confusion for their handcuff distributor.

"They can't figure out," Shelton laughs. "We keep cleaning out distributors! If a department store in calls, that means 1000 bags... so we have to go get thousands of handcuffs. They say to me, 'What are you doing? Nobody reorders like this!' Now we let them know ahead of time."

With her most popular bag being the Barfly – which was essentially the style that launched it all – Shelton is always exploring ways to freshen the line with new colors, a collectible tattooed version, Swarovski crystals, and other fun embellishments that show off the handcuffs (which, yes, you can actually use if you so please.) With a store in Tokyo and another set for launch in the within six months to a year, not to mention meetings with Neiman's Nordstrom and Macy's, Shelton 's turning her attention to a new side venture – business school.

Wait, what!?

"I plan to continue working on the company while I'm in school," Shelton explains. "I've been lucky enough to be able to consult with friends who have MBAs from Stanford, but I have an undergrad for English lit and music history. I really want to grow, and part of that is doing proposals for investors in the store. So I'm going back to school, and I'm going to apply what I've learned form school hard knocks."

Which makes perfect sense... kind of like handcuffs on a purse does.


For more information on Cuffz By Linz, including store and shopping information, visit www.cuffzbylinz.com.