Handbag Designer Interview: Monica Botkier
Monica Botkier’s career started off as a fashion photographer, shooting for several top international magazines. Destined to create the perfect stylish work bag, that could fit all of her necessities, Monica set out to create the ultimate bag — The Botkier Trigger Bag was born.
It was an instant hit among fashion editors and friends, and in 2003 her handbag collection kicked off. Since then her collection has continued to grow and in Spring 2008, for the Botkier 5 year anniversary she added shoes to her collection.
Today, Botkier is more popular than ever. Monica designs the most fabulous handbags for thousands of devoted purse obsessed fans around the globe — which includes her long list of celebrity fans, such as Heidi Klum, Joy Bryant, Rhianna, Leelee Sobieski, Angelina Jolie, Michelle Trachtenberg, Vanessa Hudgens, Lake Bell, the list can go on..
What’s so special about her bags is that season after season, since the birth of the Trigger bag in 2003, Monica Botkier combines creativity, wearability at a reasonable price tag.
You can find her marvelous creations at many online boutiques. Here are my favorites with the best deals: shop goldyn (oh my gosh, 40% off! code: ADD40) Luna Boston (all Botkiers on sale!), Revolve Clothing (handbags, shoes and accessories), ShopBop (a Ziggy for only $250! use code: 20OFF), Saks Fifth Avenue, PiperLime (bags and shoes on sale), My-Wardrobe (new styles just in), Nordstrom, coming soon to net-a-porter, and finally the Botkier home site.
And I recently got the chance to exchange some Q+A’s with this designer!
CONTINUE READING FOR THE INTERVIEW
***Interview***
Jennifer: We here at Bag Bliss are huge fan of your designs, which begs the question, what can be expect for the up-and-coming season?
Monica Botkier: This Spring Summer 2009 Botkier celebrates downtown chic. Effortlessly cool and inspired by our NYC roots, Botkier brings back classic styles like the Trigger while introducing strong new silhouettes that echo our design philosophy. The collection embraces unstructured, slouchy shapes in luxe cowhide leathers that range in palette from brilliant brights to edgy basics. Street and sexy, Botkier delivers the luxury and functionality that has become synonymous with our brand. Take a walk down the cobblestones of Crosby St. a hidden oasis like a secret world in a city that has boundless energy…
Jennifer: Which handbag are you carrying at the moment? And what are some items that you can’t leave the house without.
Monica Botkier: James satchel in cocoa from our SS09 January delivery – arriving at stores any day now. My Medela Pump In Style (just had my second baby), my blackberry and lip-gloss.
Jennifer: If you were to pick one bag out of all the collections that you’ve created, which is your number one favorite bag of all time?
Monica Botkier: Trigger, it started the company and created the following. The coolest most practical bag you’ll ever own.
Jennifer: Who are some other designers out there that you admire?
Monica Botkier: Barbara Bui, Catherine Malandrino, Miu Miu
Jennifer: If you weren’t in the fashion industry, what would you be doing instead?
Monica Botkier: Archaeologist
Jennifer: In Spring 2008, for the Botkier 5 year anniversary you added shoes to your line.. is there another future expansion plans?
Monica Botkier: Stores eventually, we just did a pop up store in Soho for the month of December and it was fantastic!
***Monica’s Random Favorites***
Movies: Breakfast Club, Mean Streets, Saturday Night Fever
Animals: Dogs, Elephants, Panthers
TV shows: Mad Men, Sopranos, Real Housewives of Orange County
Magazines: W, Dazed and Confused, InStyle
The Chat: Monica Botkier interview
This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 3:12 pm and is filed under Botkier Handbags & Purses, Celebrity Handbags & Style, Debut New Handbags, Designer Interviews, Designer Profile, Designer Totes, Handbags. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I wonder what colors she added to her spring line.. when will those bags be released?
I was so happy when they added shoes and accessories. Now I look forward to the day that they add clothing, but that probably wont happen.
I can’t wait until that James bag is released. I wonder how much it will retail for. And what colors will it be available in.
Jennifer, your interview is amazing love.
I find that question, “If you weren’t in the fashion industry, what would you be doing instead?”
I was really surprised by her answer! < 3
I’ve always had the Trigger in my heart. But you wanna know why I never bought it? The straps are look mighty thin.
Oh my gosh I just realized something.. I was looking at that bags but covering up the straps and how freakin cute would that be as a clutch! Did it ever come out at a clutch?
Special order please!
I would love to see pics of the pop-up store.
This was a great interview.
I just bought the Ziggy in smoked from goldyn for 40% off. It’s perfect! I’m going to use it as my new camera bag :D
…. sorry I accidentally hit enter before finishing what I was saying.
I also wanted to say thank you for this interview, it was a fun read.
Does she still make the Trigger bag? I can’t find it anywhere online.
Luni, I didn’t see any in those links that Jennifer posted. But in the interview she mentions that they will be bringing back classic styles like the Trigger.
Hi I am new to designer handbags and I look forward to buying my first this spring. Is this a brand I should get? Is it a popular brand?
What would you suggest for a school tote by this designer? And wht’s the price range?
Thanks :)
I’m going through a major tassel faze. I hate to get that James.
I had no idea that many stars wore Botkier bag. Thanks for the photo’s :!
Also I wanted to say this was a fabulous read. Thanks for the interview.
Wow Mrs. Botkier and I have a lot in common! I love all of her favorites.
I love Botkier!! Fab interview girl.
very neat interview.
Awesome Interview! I’ve always been a fan of Botkier!!
Those bags are really cute.
i liked the interview! i also like Monica’s bag at the moment! Terrific bag!
Great questions. this seams like it was such a fun interview.
Hi All,
Thanks so much for supporting Botkier and posting your questions/comments! Monica is committed to creating new and exciting styles that stay true to our design philosophy; effortlessly chic, yet highly functional. We are super excited about the Spring Summer 09 collection which includes the much anticipated return of the Trigger. The collection features new and classic styles in a gorgegous palette ranging from brillant brights to edgy basics. Be on the look out for these hot items- Violet runway hobo, Trigger moto clutch, Kai convertible hobo and the James satchel. We hope you will love this collection as much as we do :)
The Spring Summer collection will be up on Botkier.com by early next week. Stay tuned and keep checking!
xo,
Jennifer
Marketing Director, Botkier
I can’t wait to see her new bags.
I have a couple bags by here.. they’re amazing.
Nice interview! She’s gorgeous.
Oh that sounds exciting! A Trigger moto clutch?! Can’t wait to see.
^Oh I can’t wait to see that.
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