Actress Mindee Ong launching a line of bags

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Mindee pushes the EnvelopeArticle from TNPBy Sylvia TohMOST of us put off opening envelopes with windows in them because they can only be bills, bills, bills, rarely a Robert or a Thomas, little joke there lah.

And that's why you're no Mindee Ong - once a calefare, then a papaya, and now actress and designer.

As one half of the Papaya Sisters in Royston Tan's 881, Mindee's career took a very fruitful turn.

Most recently she turned her deft fingers to handbags. 'Envelopes,' she said, were the inspiration.

Sembonia, the second line of Bonia bags, had sounded Mindee out on the idea of drawing up their summer 2009 collection.

Yes, it is called the Envelope Collection. With Mindee Ong's stamp.

'I was kind of like, but I draw trees, not handbags,' she said.

She was persuaded - possibly by what you usually have in your bag - and you can have a slice of Mindee's creativity, in leather, at Sembonia outlets in the malls.

Homegrown

The homegrown brand, born in 1994, retails from $199 to $399. Go do your bit and support Singapore, especially during this GSS of discounts.

In support of the launch of the line, a cocktail reception was officiated at VivoCity outside Tang's emporium which carries the label.

A clutch of Fly Entertainment artistes skittered in, there were hugs and kisses, that's what friends are all about.

They'll show up at your event as brand ambassadors, you present each with a handbag, and then with not much persuasion, you make them do a quickie catwalk.

Of course your friends will have to look like Jaime Teo and Tracy Tan (currently in Red Thread) and Rebecca Tan, each popular and pretty in their individual way.

And then for added bagroom, you also call up lyricist Xiao Han and stylist Dollei Seah.

Everyone went home with a heavy arm, weight welcome in the envelope-shape of a prized new bag.

'It was interesting,' Mindee said, 'because I draw in black and white, and then to see the actual pieces when they've materialised, it's quite something. I worked with their marketing department. For me the key word is 'fun'.'

Quite the busy bee, Mindee also has a 'concept store' in Amoy Street.

No, she doesn't sell concepts, but one-of-a-type material stuff.