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.