What’s your story?
Cherry Bombin' wear was a name I day dreamt about in high school, sketching fashion & clothing for fun. Years later I was 24 when I saw a PBS special highlighting a duo who was weaving bicycle tubes into lingerie... being a cyclist, I thought WOW that is amazing & went into my garage where I had a massive pile of tubes from flats & made a sad attempt at mimicking what I saw...it lasted about 5 minutes & was a complete fail.
Five years later, after I graduated ASU, I moved to SF where I saw another inspiration. It was a basic bi-fold bicycle tube wallet hand sewn at a vegan boutique. It all spiraled out from there; I mean...I was a vegan, a cyclist & a extremely conscious consumer environmentalist...it just made sense. Particularly, I envisioned making messenger bags & then thought I would have a whole line of goods made from recycled rubber. I mean it's seriously the best leather alternative material out there... & it's recycling & free!
I moved back to Phoenix & being burnt out from working in the behavioral health field, my artist girlfriend at the time inspired me to go for it, she even bought me my first heavy duty sewing machine after a short period of sewing small designs by hand. I set up a table & sold my products at art openings & events...it was a hit! Then after about a year of doing it as a hobby/craft, I started the business.
I've built the company grass roots & all by word or mouth. I was fortunate enough to make a great connection with Whole Foods market & have been selling my line with them for about 5 years. Along with wallets, everyday accessories & bags, I have an adult line of products too, I call my [L]overs line. This line of designs has been a great hit with Good Vibrations out of the San Francisco bay area. It's amazing how the universe makes everything go full circle! Currently, I am working on my focus to market & advertise, so I can grow my company to become not only more profitable, but more well know as doing good for the conscious consumer.
Where you originally from and why PHX?
I am originally from NY & moved to Arizona for college right out of high school. I wanted to move far away, but didn't want to go to California b/c everyone went there, plus I always had a desire to live in the desert. After moving out of AZ twice, I moved back & decided I would live in Phoenix instead of Tempe. Moving to Phoenix was the best decision ever... I loved Arizona, but Tempe was a struggle to say the least...I wanted to grow up & get out of the college town & moving to Phoenix felt like moving to a whole other state. The artist community was just beginning to swell & I made a great connection with other artists & entrepreneurs.
What’s the future hold for PHX?
I love the people & the community we have all built. With great dedication & pride Phoenix will continue to lead the country as the greatest 21st century city.
<3 <3 all my love to Phoenix.
We have something very special no other city will ever embrace.
www.cherrybombinwear.com
Location:1020 NW Grand Ave Phoenix, AZ 85007
Subject: Angela Riccobono
Photographer: Hector Primero