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One of our favorite young designers – seriously she’s so sweet and cute in person we want to adopt her! – and a major rising star in the contemporary handbag world,
Antoinette Lee, took time out from her busy schedule to chat with us so you bagistas could get to know her the way we do and fall in love with the designer just as much as you love her bags. Oh, and it also has nothing to do with the fact that we’re feeding her ego and designating this whole week – March 3 to March 9 – as
Antoinette Lee Week on BagTrends.com. Get to Know the designer bellow, find out what celebs are loving her looks, and see which of her bags our own Bag Guru, Pamela Pekerman, can’t live without. Then,
shop the new
Antoinette Lee Spring 2008 line for yourself and
get 15% off this week only!!
*Use code “LOVEAL” at checkout.
BagTrends: Why did you start designing?
Antoinette Lee: When I was fifteen I saw a Prada ad in a magazine and thought...I want to wear something just like this! So I began to sew and started designing & creating a lot of my clothing and accessories.
BT: What can we expect from Antoinette Lee this season?
Antoinette: Two new clutch styles! Antoinette The Dolce, which is an oversized clutch, and a smaller version named Dolcita.
BT: What inspires your designs?
Antoinette: Everyday life in NYC; the people, the fashion, architecture, and interior designs of the city keep my ideas flowing.
BT: What is the theme of your latest collection?
Antoinette: : I wanted to make the collection fresh & fun for Spring/Summer. I used bright colors like
royal &
yellow, and added striped linings to add a nautical touch to the line. Spring & summer is the perfect time to add color to your wardrobe!
BT: Do you follow trends? Hot colors from the runway/what celebs are wearing?
Antoinette: Yes, I definitely follow the trends, mostly with color, but I make certain to maintain the “Antoinette Lee Designs look” in every style.
BT: Who is the 'Antoinette Lee' Girl?
Antoinette: That is such a hard question…I feel my line offers a range of edgy to sophisticated styles that can fit the lower east side to upper east side girl. For example, my Vita stitch clutch in black leather is such a classic clutch, but transform that style into my gunmetal metallic snake leather for Holiday and it gives the bag a whole new edgy look. The one thing I am certain about is the “Antoinette Lee” girl definitely is in the know about fashion, up and coming trends and designers.
BT: What is unique about your line of bags?
Antoinette: I try to design a new style each season that offers several options to wear my bags. My Lua Chain Clutch can be worn as a wristlet or with the chain/cuff look. And my new style for Spring 2008 is the Dolce; its an oversized clutch that features a removable chain & leather handle to either be worn as a clutch or an over the shoulder style!
BT: What is your favorite bag from the current season?
Antoinette: The Dolce, I named it after one of my dogs.
BT: How important are celebs in building your brand and getting the name out there?
Antoinette: Celebrities are a key factor in building a brand, it gives your bag & brand an enormous amount of exposure, but word of mouth from Antoinette Lee customers are also just as important.
BT: What are your in-the-bag essentials?
Antoinette: My phone, iPod, mints, Lancôme juicy tube, scented hand lotion, and a pen-always for ideas!
BT: What other handbag brands, aside from your own, do you admire?
Antoinette: I will have to mention Prada again. I was a big fan of their glove/muff bow clutch look.
BT: Complete the following sentence: My personal style is...
Antoinette: ...fun.
BT: What's the next big trend for handbags?
Antoinette: I think the newest big trend of the oversized clutch will continue through fall/winter 08, and those bright accents that are normally only for summer will move through for Fall as well.
BT: : If you could put any woman in your bag, who would it be and why?
Antoinette: Hmmm…I would have to say I would love to see Hilary Duff & Rachel Bilson in my bag-I love their style!
BT: What advice do you have for aspiring designers?
Antoinette: Work hard and don’t give up on your dream!
Sabrina Newman, Assistant Editor
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