Diabetics don’t have to trade purse style for health

By Zoe Francis
CONTRIBUTOR - Oakland Tribune

Sunday, October 5, 2003

It's hard to be stylish when you have to carry a jumble of medical supplies everywhere you go. Jennifer Dorn hopes to break through the style barrier with her new line of purses designed especially for women with diabetes.

"I always wanted something that was stylish and really cool," explained the 25-year-old Dorn, who has had Type 1 diabetes since she was 13 years old. "I've had the idea for more than 10 years, ever since I was diagnosed. Last September I decided that nobody else was going to do this, so I'll do it."

The result is what Dorn calls the first "high-style, low-profile handbags for diabetics."

The designer-look purses are made of a polyester twill fabric and come in four colors - ruby, sand, brown and black. The material has a slight sheen that gives the bags a distinctive color that changes slightly depending on lighting.

"It will look black in one light and a dark green from another angle," Dorn explained of the classic black bag.

The most important feature, however, is a small detachable bag with special compartments for the essentials a diabetic must carry at all times, she explained. There are niches for a blood glucose meter, lancet device, test strips, insulin, log book, pump supplies, syringes, batteries, medical I.D. card and more.

There's even a handy waterproof pocket for a small ice pack to keep insulin cool.

"I can't believe that nobody has made something that's cool and compact that you can fit everything in," says Dorn, a bilingual home mortgage consultant by day. "I'm totally excited about it."

The aspiring designer had several prototype purses made last September.

"I've been carrying my purse for a year now and it still looks brand new," she proudly boasts.

The prototypes have seen plenty of action as Dorn has pounded the pavement to doctors' offices, diabetes events and trade shows to market her purse. The first full shipment of purses arrives this month.

Dorn started her business, San Francisco-based aDorn Designs, with women like herself in mind. She plans to branch out with stylish carrying cases for men and kids, as well as more styles for women. The detachable bag also will be sold separately.

"I wanted the first one to be a nice, classy bag for women and teen-agers," she explains. "I tried to make it a classic that everyone would be interested in."

While the purse is marketed toward diabetics, "it's good for anyone with medical necessities or anyone who wants to be organized," Dorn says. "There's a special cell phone pocket in the regular side of the purse. That's really handy. It's also great for traveling."

"It really could be for anyone," she adds. "It's not just for diabetics."

The $69.95 handbag can be purchased online at www.adorndesigns.com or by calling 415-933-8708.