It was a new scenario that many LSU fans encountered last season: getting turned away from the gate for a bag that didn’t fit guidelines.
LSU joined several other NCAA and SEC schools last year in updating its policy on what attendees could bring into the stadium, requiring see-through handbags no larger than 12-by-6-by-12 inches.
But where some saw a new gameday annoyance, Anu Mehrotra saw an opportunity.
Last fall, she debuted her line, Fluke Clear Bags, specifically designed to meet the sporting event guidelines.
Mehrotra was inspired to create the bags after she read an article in 225’s sister publication, Baton Rouge Business Report, about the rules for bags at LSU and New Orleans Saints sporting events. Mehrotra had never designed anything before, so she went to her family for help.
“I asked my brother, who owns a leather goods manufacturing factory in Mumbai, India, to design and make a few clear bag samples keeping the NFL and NCAA clear bag policy guidelines in mind,” she says. “Together, we came up with some trendy, fun bags in six different styles that are very appealing to boutique customers.”
The bags are made of genuine premium leather and crease-free vinyl strung from an alloy chain with a decorative leather tassel. Styles include round, rectangular, tote and backpack.
“We have all the basic team colors,” she says. “I can customize the bags to whatever a customer would like.”
Handbags come in black, tan, red, green, navy, orange, white, nude, purple, silver, gray, dark gold or custom colors. They are also available with tiger or leopard hide and alligator or snakeskin accents.
Her goal is to continue adding new designs each year in different shapes and leathers. Wholesale prices range from $22-45.
“I want the line to be affordable, too,” she says.
She’s sold more than 3,000 bags to date, selling wholesale to retail outlets all over Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Arkansas.
Her line is also available at local boutiques, including Frock Candy, The Boutique, Zaza Nail Boutique, Simply Chic, SoSis, Hemline and Court & Layne.
Mehrotra was born in New Delhi, India, and moved to the United States in 2000. In addition to launching her handbag line, she owns and manages real estate in the Baton Rouge area.
While she loves real estate, her dream has always been to work in the fashion industry.
“I used to model back in India, and attractive, fashionable things have just always interested me,” she says. “It has been very exciting to see my dream come to life.” Find @flukeclearbags on Instagram.
This article was originally published in the August 2017 issue of 225 Magazine.
