By Emily Unsworth

Lately, it seems as though for women everywhere, the purse has become the new “pink.” Thanks to shows like “Sex and the City,” having dozens of purses, one to match every sock or hair tie, is not all that uncommon.

Here in Boston, whether it’s Louis Vuitton or Christian Dior, Coach or Prada, the options for your favorite designer bags are limited, and even the excitement that comes from buying a new purse can come crashing down when you find out the girl down the hall has the same one — and it just came out last week.

1154 Lill Studio on Newbury Street allows you to be your own designer and makes it next to impossible to have the same bag as the girl next door.

The shop, which opened its doors last March, allows customers to customize their own bag, purse or tote.

The privately-owned company, which has shops located in Kansas City and Chicago, where it orginated, allows customers to custom-create their own handbags both online and in person at one of the three locations.

The Boston shop, located at 220 Newbury St., has 12 employees total, all of whom are more than ready to greet you when you enter the shop.

Tania Shabazz, who has been working at the studio for five months, said she loves the creativity of her job, and it shows. Shabazz was one of the five employees on staff last weekend who offered customers an introduction to the shop and the rundown on how the whole handbag-designing process works. While explaining the process, customers are told to begin by selecting the style of the bag, tote or purse they’d like to design. The handbags can cost anywhere from $33 for a make up bag to $150 for a messenger bag.

There are over 20 styles of bags, all given a different moniker, such as Ally, Katie and Molly. The process is completely hands-on and creative.

After you have chosen a style, you are encouraged to grab any of the materials hung on the walls and on the tables that grab your eye. Many different materials can be used for different parts of the bag. Most bags feature at least three or four different fabrics, covering the exterior, strap, interior and various other parts. A few of the bags are even reversible.

Manager Laurie Strong has her own recommendations when choosing fabrics.

“Grab what gets your attention. Don’t worry about if things will match right away, just grab what you like and try to get a visual about what the bag will look like from there. Also, when choosing a style, make sure to evaluate what your needs are in a bag. Put some of your own things into it to test it out, and put it over your shoulder to see how you like it.”

The shop also has pre-made handbags available for the same price, which make up about a quarter of their sales, Strong said.

For another experience, groups of 12 or more can schedule their own handbag party. These in-store parties, which have been largely successful so far, are very popular for bridal parties, junior league, book clubs and other private parties, Strong said.

The styles and fabrics, which are completely hand-picked by owner Jennifer Velarde, are always changing and are updated every few months to keep up with the current styles and trends. Strong also said the fabrics are ordered in small quantities to ensure the uniqueness of each handbag.

Strong said she admits she would like to see more of the college-age demographic discovering the shop.

“But when the college students do come in and find out about our place, they are crazy about it,” Strong said.

For more information or to place an order, go to www.1154lill.com.