KIM CIG™ handbags are unlike any other. For the first time ever, a limited edition collection of handbags has launched that will ‘glow’ you away with its light-up technology. Founded by Jersey girl Kimberly DeTerlizzi, KIM CIG™ officially hit the market this year. Read on to learn more about the New Jersey-born KIM CIG™ light-up handbag line and how you can get your hands on one.
Behind the Brand
The whole concept behind KIM CIG™ started during the pandemic when Kimberly spent more time at home than in New York City where she spent the last 11 years designing dresses for brands like Nicole Miller and Laundry by Shelli Segal. It was her husband who encouraged her to do something for herself — but she didn’t know what exactly she wanted to design.
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“I had always wanted my own brand ‘Kim Cig.’ That was always the end goal, that was always my dream,” Kimberly DeTerlizzi of East Hanover, NJ told The Montclair Girl. ‘Cig’ stems from her maiden name, Cignarella. “One day, I was using this little acrylic clutch, and I was just sitting there at the table and I was like, ‘This would look so cool if it lit up.’ And literally the light went on… It’s almost like the stars aligned in my favor because we were in a very dark time so, figuratively, I wanted to put [positive] light in the situation. I just thought I’d never seen it before. It would spark happiness for sure.”
Founder Kimberly DeTerlizzi
The mom-of-two got to work in January 2021 and then spent the next year developing the product and going through various prototypes to finally perfect her vision. In February 2022, the collection officially launched online followed by the launch event, which took place on April 9th at the location where the showroom is now — at Car Lofts in Fairfield, NJ.
All About the Hot Product
The KIM CIG™ collection, as seen on the online shop, consists of four different clutches (black, crystal/black, crystal/gold, or diamond in crystal/gold) and five different totes (black, crystal/gold, neon green/gold, neon pink/gold, or diamond in crystal/black). New patterns and new colors will be added to the next drop.
Each tote and clutch are handmade overseas with high-quality acrylic and finished with anti-fingerprint coating. Apart from each one being able to light up, they each have a USB port for charging capabilities. What actually makes the purse glow is a rechargeable lithium ion battery that’s in the bottom of the bag, and it holds up to 18 hours of charge. There’s a button on the side to turn the light on and off.
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Each bag, which ranges from $800-$900, comes in a square black box and includes an acrylic chain (also available in black or gold), privacy pouch inside, a microfiber cloth, an adapter, user guide, and an authenticity card with a unique serial number. As an added bonus, each purchase comes with a free KIM CIG™ lip gloss, which is just the first of many other KIM CIG™ products to come (like shoes and clothing).
“KIM CIG™ stands for being bold and being different and standing out,” Kimberly told MG. “It’s a product for anybody who either is a trendsetter or fashionista, but also anyone who really wants to be a trailblazer. What I want to do is make women or men feel more confident, more powerful. People can gain a little more self esteem [just from carrying one] because it makes you feel really good when others notice and compliment you. That’s definitely the goal I had with my line.”
How to Get a KIM CIG™ Bag
Kimberly shared that “word of mouth” is what’s really gotten the attention of the brand. It also helps that she’s friends with some reality stars who have helped spread the word. Tracy Dimarco of Jerseylicious and Jaina Lee Ortiz, actress from Station 19, have both been seen with a KIM CIG™ bag. Another big fan is Christine Quinn of Selling Sunset, who now owns three bags. The Los Angeles-based reality star learned about KC from randomly meeting the founder at Catch in NYC and asking her, “Where did you get this bag?”
Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn shows off her KIM CIG™ clutch
(Photo credit: @kimcigofficial)
“It’s gonna catch a lot of eyes. When you wear this item, not only do heads turn and the jaws drop, but everyone comes up to you. It’s a wild experience,” Kimberly said. “It’s something so different and exciting that people have to know about it.”
KIM CIG™’s showroom at Car Lofts, located at 10 Kingsbridge Road, is in the upstairs of the luxury car storage facility. Shoppers need an appointment ahead of time to check out the bags in person and meet with the founder. Kimberly is hoping to open a New York City showroom in the near future.
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