Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain founded and launched Be & D in 2004. Today Steve Dumain is the creative director and all of the handbags are designed and produced in New York’s Garment District. Be & D’s first design, the “Garbo”, became such a hit that it still is one of the most popular bags the company produces. The “Garbo” collection consists of belts, mini bags, satchels, totes, and wallets.

Almost everything the company designs features a type of stud on it. The studs range from tiny to large and gives the designer brand an edgy but stylish look.

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At the age of 18, Alexander Wang left his home in San Francisco to attend Parsons Design School in New York City. By his sophomore year, the young designer was already designing his first ready-to-wear collection. His first full womens collection, however, did not make its debut until 2007.

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Once upon a time in 1994 there were two friends by the names of Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor who stormed up an idea of creating chic pants and hoodies in various fabrics from velour to cashmere.

The jumpsuit look available in a large array of designs and colors became an instant hit within the celebrity world with fans of the brand including Madonna, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson, and Nicole Richie.

Its huge success later launched the collection of handbags, jewelry, shoes, denim and couture ready-to-wear. Juicy Couture’s’ designs are modern, bright, and extra girlie and the fact that you can find crystals, crowns, and Yorkshire terrier puppies on their goods is what makes this American based brand extra nice. Some of their best selling accessories includes, the velour Daydreamer totes and their infamous adorable charms.

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Founded in 2006 by former stylist and consultant Bryna Nicole McMills, Bryna Nicole is known for producing must-have handbags for busy, on-the-go women. The San Francisco-based company prides itself in creating handbags that combine uptown sophistication with downtown originality.

According to McMills, the Bryna Nicole design philosophy places emphasis on accessories that last from season to season. Perhaps the most famous and easily recognizable of these timeless styles that Bryna Nicole has brought to us is the Loyola Tote.

Other popular styles include the Hallam Clutch, the Idora Hobo, and the Bartol Satchel. McMills’ ultimate design goal, however, is “to create a stylish handbag collection that portrays the mood of the woman carrying the bag”.

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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
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September 10, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Jennifer

Interview with Andrea Brueckner
I recently got the chance to exchange a brief Q + A with the one and only fabulous Andrea Brueckner, plus I was also lucky enough to browse through her amazing fall / winter 2008 handbag look book – plus have images to share!

Canadian born Andrea Brueckner moved to New York in 1999 to study design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. At first, she studied not to be an accessory designer, but rather clothing design with an emphasis in tailoring. While in school she internet with fabulous designers like Jill Stuart and Carolina Herrera. Before she went on to launching her own line, Andrea apprenticed under the bespoke menswear tailor Craig Robinson where she worked to master the classic art of tailoring. There she acquired many draping and patternmaking techniques, while also learning to appreciate the importance of good fit.

Andrea fuses her love for design with her acquired technique to create unique handbags, and continues to draw inspiration from clothing design, incorporating garment details and techniques into her accessories.

Her handbag line was launched in the Spring of 2004, and is now entering its tenth season.

Continue Reading: Andrea Brueckner Interview + Look Book!
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August 20, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Jennifer
Interview: Fiona Kotur Marin
Native New Yorker, now Hong Kong based designer Fiona Kotur Marin founded Kotur, the retro-glamour luxury accessory brand, in 2004, after discovering a vast treasure trove of decorative vintage fabric woven by European Couture Houses during the 60’s and 70′s.

Her background experience comes from designing accessories for Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap, and collaborating with long time friend, Tory Burch when launching her line.

She may have started out in the beginning by creating truely one-of-a-kind limited edition vintage brocade clutches, but since then she has added incredible exotics, metals, shells, lucite and rattan and has expanded her collection to include gorgeous minaudieres, everyday bags, work totes and evening clutches.

I was lucky enough to conducted a Q+A with this star designer and also take a sneak peak at some of her new pieces.

See below for the interview + a couple images:

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December 2, 2005

Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney was born in London in 1971 to Beatle Paul McCartney and photographer wife, Linda. She graduated from St Martin’s in 1995 and her final year collection had the rare accolade of being bought by influential stores such as Browns, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. She launched her own line immediately on leaving college.

Her style of combining sharp tailoring with humour and sexy femininity was immediately apparent in her first collection. In 1997, after only two collections, she became the creative director of the house of Chloe in Paris. Chloe’s commercial success was stratospheric since her arrival and her collections and advertising campaigns for the house of Chloe were universally praised by both buyers and press.

Stella McCartney was awarded the VH1 / Vogue Fashion and Music 2000 Designer of the Year award.

In April of 2001 Stella McCartney resigned from Chloe and launched her own fashion house under her name in partnership with Gucci Group.

In October 2001 Stella McCartney showed her Spring/Summer 2002 Collection in Paris. Following the collection, Stella McCartney announced the launch of a perfume in 2003.

January 2002 Stella McCartney and Gary hume presented a collaboration of handmade t shirts and dresses at the Thaddeus Ropac Gallery in Paris. A silent auction was held on the night and the proceeds donated to RAWA.
source: www.infomat.com

December 2, 2005

Dooney & Bourke
Dooney & Bourke has over a quarter century of experience combining superior materials and fine craftsmanship with traditional designs to create enduring, functional fine leather goods.

Founded in 1975 by H. Peter Dooney and Frederick Bourke, Dooney & Bourke took off with the development of All-Weather Leather-fine calfskin naturally processed to make it virtually indestructible. With hand stitching and solid brass hardware, handbags from this revolutionary leather look good and wear well. This early fusion of durability, functionality, and classic style has become the Dooney & Bourke hallmark.

In the past years Dooney & Bourke has introduced a whole host of collections inspired by new, innovative materials: from the water-proof rubber bottom of the Parasole line, specialty dyed French and Italian leathers, to the ecologically sound Bayou collection of alligator and ostrich print calfskin. Dooney & Bourke’s wide range of handbag designs includes everything from backpacks and stylish totes to lady-like small flap bags.

Each Dooney & Bourke product, from the pod backpack to the classic hobo, is united by a commitment to high function, good looks, and durability. Dooney & Bourke leather goods improve with time and wear to become a distinctive expression of their owner’s unique style.
source: www.dooney.com