Louis Vuitton's Speedy is nicknamed the "three second bag" here because it is way too common ― spotted practically every three seconds on the streets.

Although handbags are the cherry on top when it comes to women's outfits, it is difficult to track down a covetable "it" bag which is not already owned by the world and her mother.

Luckily, Dylan Ryu, a designer-turned-artist, came up with her own way to do just that: turn an otherwise plain luxury bag into a one-of-a-kind by adding vintage ornaments.

The idea came accidentally.

"I spilled wine on my mother's Dior clutch from the 1970s, so I sewed some lace and vintage tape on it to cover the stains. When I carried the completed bag to work one day, my friends were all over it," Ryu told The Korea Herald.

Pleased, she started to make more using bags she already owned. It was just a hobby while freelancing as a designer and buyer until one of her reformed Dior bags caught the eyes of Hollywood actress Rachel Bilson at New York Fashion Week in 2006.

"She came over to me and asked where I had bought it. When I told her I made it, she was so surprised. Seeing how much she wanted it, I could not help but give it to her as a gift," said Ryu.

The photo of Bilson carrying the bag spread on the Internet and Ryu's bags soon became known among the fashion-forwards. Celebrities such as Patricia Field, Sarah Jessica Parker's stylist for Sex and the City and Ko Hyun-jeong, a top Korean actress, were spotted with the bags.

Ryu opened her first exhibition at Seomi and Tuus Gallery in Seoul in 2006 and has been steadily holding shows ever since. Most of her exhibitions sold out. The latest exhibition she participated in was "Incontro Tra lusso E Arte" which ended Friday at Cais Gallery in Cheongdam-dong, central Seoul. At the exhibition, nine artists, including Ryu, showcased works inspired by Colombo, a brand known for its alligator bags.

Considering her works as artworks, she usually sells them at art galleries through exhibitions. Next year, however, after receiving many requests, she will supply her works to a multibrand shop named Je ne sais Quoi which is scheduled to open near Dosan Park in southern Seoul next February.

"I worked as a fashion designer for 10 years, and I thought that was enough. Because I worked for companies, there were times when I had to sell things which I thought I would never want to wear. I love being an artist now, because I can really reflect myself in my works," said Ryu.

Making the bags only takes a few hours, as it is a simple process of sewing ornaments onto the bags using fishing line. It is searching for just the right buttons, badges and other charms that takes a long time.

She pulled out a blue Chanel bag adorned with various gold ornaments, which she introduced as her favorite among her more recent works.

"This is a vintage button from the 1930s which I found at a flea market in Paris and this charm is from the 1950s which I discovered in a hardware store. This button used to be used for the British royal family," Ryu went on, pointing at each of the ornaments.

"I write a 'history letter' for each bag to let the buyers know where the little charms came from."

She added that she does not want to be called a "luxury bag reform designer."

"My work is not always about luxury bags. Less expensive bags are often used for my works as well. I just like to make pretty vintage bags that have their own stories to tell."

For more information on Dylan Ryu, visit www.dylanryu.com.