This year Mali + Lili landed on Oprah’s Favorite List for its Crossbody Bag. I wanted to find out more about this company, so I reached out to them.
Mali + Lili is a modern lifestyle accessories brand that was founded in 2017 by JoAnne Wannarachue Lord. The Mali + Lili handbag line quickly filled a void in the market by offering contemporary hands-free designs, great quality, and value. The inspiration for the Mali + Lili brand is the multi-tasking woman. She has many roles and is constantly on-the-go whether it’s her busy career, running errands around town, taking care of her family, or all of the above. Mali + Lili accessories are designed to have multi-functional features.
- Mali + Lili Belt bags, Crossbody bags, and Backpacks allow you to be hands-free and multi-task
- Mali + Lili Mask Scarves look chic work around your neck, on your hat, or in your hair when not covering your face
- Mali + Lili 3 layer Necklaces are convertible and can be worn as a single, double, or triple strand
Los Angeles based fashion industry executive, JoAnne Wannarachue Lord, started her career in San Francisco, California on the wholesale side of the business representing Accessories and Jewelry lines after graduating from the University of Washington in Seattle. After a few years, JWL transitioned into the retail buying world and worked her way up the corporate ladder as Buyer, Divisional Merchandise Manager, General Merchandise Manager, and VP of Merchandising for companies including Urban Outfitters, Guess by Marciano, Bebe, and New York & Company.
Founded in 2017, JWL comes full circle with the launch of Mali + Lili Lifestyle Accessories, a creation of modern, functional, and hands-free bags and accessories using vegan-friendly materials. Designed with busy women in mind, the collection is made to be worn from day to night and everywhere in between thanks to its thoughtfully designed pieces-just think hands-free backpacks, waist bags, and cross-body styles featuring functional details. Whether you are in a business meeting, jet-setting the world, volunteering at school, or running errands around town, the Mali + Lili line of bags and accessories will be there to hold your essentials while you make your moves.
Named after her two daughters, Mali + Lili offers elevated trend-led accessories that strike the perfect balance between sophisticated and playful. Mali + Lili handbags and accessories are designed in Los Angeles and made of PETA-Approved quality vegan leather and novelty fabrications. The mask scarves are designed and produced in Los Angeles also.
While under stay at home orders, JWL pivoted her business and designed a sustainable and reusable mask that would help women stay healthy but also look chic. Staying consistent with its philosophy, it introduced hands-free Mali + Lili Mask Scarf, a lightweight, 4 layer cotton mask scarf that has a pocket for a filter if desired. Mali + Lili Mask Scarf is made of locally sourced up-cycled fabrics and can be worn around your neck as a chic scarf when not covering your face. Mali + Lili Mask Scarf was introduced to friends and families on social media and in July and sold almost 100 pieces over the weekend They are available at www.maliandlili.com and www.nordstrom.com.
For all these reasons, Mali + Lili was highlighted in Oprah’s Favorite Things. Mali + Lili Josie Crossbody bag was a standout as a stylish small size three-compartment cross-body purse that features an adjustable long shoulder strap with 3 section zipper closure that can be worn in many different ways. Perfect for those days when carrying a handbag is not an option. I love the ease of use. The exterior is made from high quality 100% eco-friendly vegan PU leather, while the interior consists of a striped fabric lining and gold-tone hardware. PU leather is durable and easy to clean, simply just wipe with water to keep this bag looking new.
This will make the perfect gift this holiday season.
