Positively Chic: 03/28/14

A Profile in Positively Chic

#RMROADTRIP

Last night, Saks Fifth Avenue Columbus welcomed fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff to town. Known for her ever-growing collection of cool casual luxury handbags, accessories, and apparel, the designer shared her Spring/Summer 2014 line with a packed house.

Taking center stage was the Perry Satchel, a Saks exclusive. Beautiful, with an up-town look, the new Perry satchel is roomy enough to hold the essentials and then some, all while majorly amping up your chic factor.
#RMPERRY

Three Questions in Five (or so) Minutes

Sitting down with Rebecca Minkoff was like sitting down with a friend. She was so warm and friendly, I could have talked to her for hours. Suffice it to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the time we did have to talk.

PC: You've shared that your latest collection was inspired by Latin America. How do you take that inspiration and translate it into your clothing?

RM: I start by pulling and studying imagery, textiles, the women of the area. All this becomes inspiration for what I do.

PC: You're obviously a very busy woman -- designer, wife, mother, new mother-to-be (the designer is expecting her second baby…Yay!), how do you "recharge" and find new inspiration?

RM: When I walk into the office, I am a clean slate. I tear a lot out of magazines, from the books I read, pictures from my travels…All these things give me inspiration. I go down a "worm hole" and put it all together.

PC: There is such a connection between fashion and interior design. Being an interior designer, I have to ask how does your fashion style impact how you design your home?

RM: I love color and while my bags are colorful, I have a more neutral home. I like to add pops of color through my home accessories.

See pictures of Rebecca's new Brooklyn home in a Lucky Magazine exclusive here.

I Heart Rebecca Minkoff

In 2001, the designer got her break into the fashion world when her "I Love New York" tee shirt, worn by actress Jenna Elfman, got air time on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. After that, orders piled up and Rebecca focused on sewing and bedazzling the NY-centric tees on the floor of her NY apartment.

Fast forward to 2005 (and a lot of hard work and dedication in between), Rebecca ventured into handbag design with the creation of the Morning After Bag (or better known as the M.A.B. for those hipsters "in the know" where Rebecca Minkoff and all things positively chic are concerned). The M.A.B. is considered a classic among the fashion forward set, remaining consistent in comfortable style and current with varying seasonal color options. Today, the designer's handbag collection has grown exponentially to include clutches, totes, minis, cross bodies, satchels, and hobos…just to name a few examples.

In 2011, the designer relaunched her ready-to-wear to great success.

To me, the Rebecca Minkoff woman exudes a cool, sexy vibe, independence, confidence…

while being effortlessly put together.

All this at a very fair price point. As my mother used to say, "A lot of look for the money."

And, guys, you are not ignored by the fabulous Rebecca Minkoff. Check out her recently-launched accessories line for men, Ben Minkoff.

Now if we could only convince her to do an RM Home line, our lives would be complete!

A Few of My RM Favorites

One of my favorite pieces from the collection, the Mara jumpsuit, is now in my wardrobe rotation.

Christina Klein, Bill Carson (Saks Columbus General Manager), Me in the Mara Jumpsuit

(styled with Helmut Lang jacket, Tibi sandals, Forever 21 belt)

The pattern of the fabric is amazing -- blending this season's floral fixation with a graphic print. It doesn't get much better than that? Or does it?! Did I mention that it is soooo comfortable?

Okay, I also added a purse to my collection. Pink is my "signature color" you know. I couldn't resist!