
Chocolate Nikki slouchy hobo, Italian Leather, $635
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Charcoal Matinee barrel bag, Italian Leather, $625
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Coffee/Nude Elisha Bag, day-night combo bag, $585
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Comments: [post a comment]
| 1. | love love love her bags!!! it's like she came from out of no where but so happy she is here.. - sarah from nyc, August 07, 2007. | | 2. | I saw Hilary Duff wearing her bags - not that I am a celeb follower but the bag looked so nice - I totally need to get one now... - Roxie from la, ca, August 07, 2007. | | 3. | The Slouchy Hobo looks delicious!!! - Tamra from Dallas, August 07, 2007. |
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Story: My name is Rebecca Minkoff, I'm 26 and originally from
San Diego. I started designing clothing at 18 and began with my signature
Morning After Bag in 2004. I was designing clothes at the time, but decided with
the help of a friend, to add a handbag to my line. Then, as the bag became more
and more popular, I added the Morning after Mini and the Nikki bag. The bags
just took off and now I have 6 collections and about 20 different styles. My
friend, Jenna Elfman, was starring in a movie at the time and she wanted me to
design a bag for the film. I did, and she wore it, and that’s how it began.
I use leather from Italy and produce my bags here in New York City. Right now my
Fall collection includes cowhide and goat. I’ve used lamb in the past as well.
When I first started my handbag line, my bags were typically canvas and leather.
My targeted audience is for woman on the go, the typical girl who carries my
bags range from her 20’s to 40’s. They are versatile and can be worn day to
night. I always use different fun linings that I find, and experiment with
different shapes and colors. My hardware is solid brass, which gives the bag a
vintage feel. My bags are all named after an experience, encounter, or girl’s
name, they each tell their own little stories, and keep a mystery about them,
just like the women who wear them.
I believe in the little details that make things unique, whether it be a handbag
or a piece of clothing. For Spring 2008, my line is full of details, with custom
hardware and some custom leathers from Italy. I want people to appreciate that
these bags are handmade here in NYC and are versatile enough to fit every girl’s
lifestyle.
I don’t have any specific design nightmares, but it’s always scary when you
aren’t sure whether a new design is going to go over well. You want to be unique
and creative, but there are always people that have an opinion on what your line
should be. I have learned to take it with a grain of salt and maintain my own
creative direction while appealing to the masses.
I’ve been a designer since I was about 18, and sewing since I was about 8. With
no formal training, I feel that my education in fashion has been with my
exposure to the business and I’ve learned very quickly what tools one needs to
‘make it’. I feel very fortunate to have a business where I can see my products
out on the street. I still stop and ask the girls who carry them how they like
their bag. When you see girls excited about something you produced, that’s the
most rewarding. |
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Designer Archive:
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Other HBD101 Articles:
July 04, 2008 - Pursecution - Jackee Strom July 02, 2008 - Elite Street Bags - Cindy Lero June 30, 2008 - Half Double Croshay - Tamyra Walker June 27, 2008 - Monica Reis Designs - Monica M. Reis June 25, 2008 - Beirn bag - Ali Trier June 23, 2008 - Red Instead - Jen Leheny June 20, 2008 - Stanzel Designs - Cary S. Morin June 18, 2008 - VY&ELLE - Nicola Freegard June 16, 2008 - Swanky By MJ - Maggy Francois & Jamila Jeter June 13, 2008 - Jane Marvel - Jane Saidenberg June 09, 2008 - POP!Rock - Michele Marcombe June 06, 2008 - LeVina Designs - Leandra Roscoe June 04, 2008 - Maria Ortiz - Rubia Moraes June 02, 2008 - Kimberley Cristen - Kimberley Osborne May 30, 2008 - Carmelita by J.A.I. bags - Irene Gonzalez May 26, 2008 - Paco and Lupe - Celia Cruz May 23, 2008 - Bran Design - Brandy Aube' May 21, 2008 - Passchal - Ken Kobrick May 19, 2008 - Papillon - Akihiro Domen & Jean Marc Lageyre May 16, 2008 - Lona Gutknecht - Lona Gutknecht May 14, 2008 - Eric Manie'r - Eric Manie'r May 12, 2008 - psnob - Rebecca Robinson May 09, 2008 - English Retreads - Heather English May 06, 2008 - OPAMA Designs - Patricia Hamilton May 05, 2008 - Hydralis: FINALIST BEST STUDENT MADE HANDBAG - Lissa Kooijman |
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