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JILL MILAN
www.jillmilan.com
COMPANY BACKGROUND
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Founded in 2010 by Jill Fraser and Milan Lazich
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area
2010 and 2011 Sponsor of the Genesis Awards
A portion of proceeds are donated to charities that
rescue ex-racehorses
• Products are available at
http://www.jillmilan.com
• Mission: Luxury fashion accessories without cruelty
PRODUCT BACKGROUND
• J ill Milan offers non-leather accessories
from Italy
• Design elements include handmade hardware
crafted by an Italian artisan.
PHOTOGRAPHY
• L
ookbook and website photography was shot by
renowned celebrity and fashion photographer
Lance Staedler
CONTACT
Jill Fraser
Tel: (323) 669-3964
Email: press@jillmilan.com
Contents
– The Brand
– Behind The Brand
–Philanthropy
– Recent News
THE RANGE
Jill Milan’s line includes evening clutches, makeup bags,
and day bags. Line expansion plans include broadening
the line to include accessories such as iPhone and iPad
cases and belts.
THE
BRAND
ETHOS BEHIND THE BRAND
Offering luxurious design without cruelty, Jill Milan
creates handbags that are made in Italy from Italian
faux leathers, linens, and cottons. Each bag is made in
Italy by artisans with a tradition of crafting bags for
Europe’s leading designers.
Jill Milan’s faux leather bags are environmentallyfriendly and PVC-free. They are virtually identical in
look and feel to the highest quality lambskin.
A portion of proceeds from Jill Milan’s signature
Thoroughbred Bag support all-volunteer charities
that rescue and retrain thoroughbreds.
WHERE IT IS MADE
Jill Milan’s handbags are made in Florence, Italy at a
small, family-owned factory whose clients include
Europe’s leading couture brands. The hardware is handmade by an artisan who has worked for one
of Italy’s premier jewelers.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
With the addition of award-winning luxury handbag
designer Maya Stewart, Jill Milan has expanded its
line of beautiful accessories for contemporary women.
Stewart notes that she designs for all women, making
her line ideal for both “a 20 year-old and for her chic
mother.”
In creating the Jill Milan line, Ms. Stewart, a Native
American, was inspired by the geometric shapes of
Native American art and design. Her design style is also
influenced by her years living in London, Los Angeles,
and New York. Her styling is classic, minimalist, and
suitable for an urban woman.
Her collection features a range of day bags and
accessories, as well as a stunning evening collection.
BEHIND
THE BRAND
JILL FRASER
MILAN G. LAZICH
Jill Fraser is co-founder of Jill Milan and has served
as the company’s Chief Executive Officer from its
inception. The company’s genesis stemmed from Ms.
Fraser’s inability to find luxury handbags that were not
made of leather.
A marketing executive with experience in technology
and consumer companies, Milan Lazich served on the
executive teams through two Silicon Valley IPOs and a
subsequent strategic acquisition.
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Jill Milan
A native of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, Fraser has
been an animal activist and an equestrian for much of
her life. She owned thoroughbreds and rode the horse
show circuit throughout the East Coast.
Co-Founder, Jill Milan
Mr. Lazich holds a B.A. in Economics from the
University of California, Los Angeles, and an MBA
from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California.
Jill Fraser holds a B.A. and an M.A.
from Oxford University, England.
DANA FRIED
MAYA STEWART
Dana Fried possesses a range of operational and
consulting expertise across a wide spectrum
of businesses, including wholesale, retail and
manufacturing companies.
Location:
Los Angeles, California
Education: London College of Fashion
Adviser
He is presently Managing Partner of Delphic
Consulting Group, which specializes in advising
nascent companies in apparel, footwear and
manufacturing. He is also a principal of Harder Fried
and Associates, which conducts workshops throughout
the United States on launching and sustaining
successful businesses.
Mr. Fried’s previous experience includes serving as
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
of Taryn Rose International, a provider of shoes and
handbags, where he was responsible for finance, retail
and legal operations as the company grew from startup
to revenue of $8 million in just 2 years and was named
by the L.A. Business Journal one of the fastest-growing
companies in Los Angeles.
Mr. Fried holds a B.A. degree in Accounting from
California State University, Northridge.
Designer
Experience: Judith Leiber, Matthew Williamson, C.C. Skye.
Maya Stewart’s professional experience includes
working at leading brands such as Judith Leiber,
Matthew Williamson, and C.C. Skye.
A graduate of the London College of Fashion, Ms.
Stewart has also won numerous awards, which include
the Professor Jimmy Choo Award, Link-It Lock-It
Competition, the Lineapelle Young Designers Contest,
Student Accessory Designer of the Year, ASOS and
LCF LTD 100 top ten picks. She has also presented her
collections at New York and Los Angeles Fashion Week.
As a Native American of Chickasaw, Creek, Choctaw
descent, Ms. Stewart is inspired by the artistic
influences of Native American tribes, frequently
incorporating geometric shapes in her beautiful,
creative accessory designs.
PHILANTHROPY
With a strong commitment to animal welfare,
Jill Milan donates to numerous animal
welfare organizations.
A portion of all proceeds from Jill Milan’s signature
handbag, the Thoroughbred Bag, are donated to
organizations that rescue and retrain former racehorses.
Without the aid of these non-profit groups, frequently
horses are at risk of being shipped to Canada or to
Mexico for slaughter.
The charities who rescue these horses retrain them for
second careers in other equestrian sports or as pleasure
horses. Jill Milan is delighted to aid them in their
important work.
ACTIVITY
PRESS
Jill Milan has recently been featured
in numerous publications and
media outlets such as Fox, ABC,
and “FashionSalade.”
EVENTS
Emmys
Dot Marie Jones of “Glee” carried
Jill Milan at the Emmys. Teri Polo
and Fiona Gubelmann are among
the celebrities who have carried Jill
Milan bags on the red carpet. The
bags are also owned by Olivia Munn,
Bo Derek, Maria Bello, Minnie
Driver, Ashley Jones, Alfre Woodard,
and other actors.
STYLISTS
Lisa Michelle Boyd styled the
fall 2011 and spring 2012
photoshoots. Celebrity fashion stylist
Jen Abrams consults on product
development and strategy.
For a full run-down of all our Press
Activity please visit our website at
www.jillmilan.com
www.jillmilan.com