Thread: Interview with Handbag Designer 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, Amy Winehouse, 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!

***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

Great interview, Jennifer!

You should have asked her how she pronounces her last name ("Botkier"), lol!!

Thanks guys Yeah I learned alot too

PS. Someone said something interesting over in BagBliss... was the Trigger ever made in a clutch version? That would look pretty amazing!

Cool interview Jennifer! That is so funny, she likes The Breakfast Club. My mom used to watch that movie ALL THE TIME.

Great interview Jennifer!!

Awesome Interview, Jennifer!

Great interview Jennifer. I love real housewives of orange county! lol

Originally Posted by vuittongirlxoxo

Great interview Jennifer. I love real housewives of orange county! lol

Me too!!

Originally Posted by JessLR

Great interview, Jennifer!

You should have asked her how she pronounces her last name ("Botkier"), lol!!

Isn't it Bot-Key-Air? That's how I say it.

Originally Posted by boysRsmelly

Isn't it Bot-Key-Air? That's how I say it.

Me too...

Great interview Jen! Love the bags posted on this thread.