BagTrends.com - News Getting to Know...JENNY YUEN

The latest designer to emerge out of downtown New York City is Jenny Yuen. The talented Parsons grad debuted her handbag line in fall 2006 and quickly caught the eye of editors at LUCKY, New York Magazine, and BagTrends.com!

This isn’t the first handbag line Jenny’s worked on. She was an artist assistant on the legendary collaboration between Marc Jacobs and Takashi Murakami to produce the “Eye Love” and “Cherry Blossom” collections for Louis Vuitton. How’s that for experience? The self-proclaimed “pro-intern” is indeed quite pro. Her impressive résumé also boasts names like Michael Kors, Anna Sui, and Jill Stuart, among many others.

Sitting comfortably in her Garment District studio, Jenny reveals what is was like meeting Marc Jacobs, why she denies herself bags, and other juicy tidbits.

What was your first job?
My first full-time job was at Jill Stuart. It was really intense. But it was just not where I wanted to be.

You also worked at Twinkle by Wenlan.
Yeah, about a year and half ago. It was a really neat experience because it was up-and-coming and growing. I left to freelance because I couldn’t handle ready-to-wear anymore. I didn’t want to work late nights and early mornings – I just love sleeping!

What did you do with the Takashi-Louis Vuitton collaboration?
I was more in the studio. I did the paintings. I didn’t really interact with Takashi. By the end, I was so sick of Louis Vuitton. I could spot a fake like this [snap].

Did you meet Marc Jacobs?
I met Marc Jacobs once, briefly at a gallery. But he wasn’t like “Hey Jenny what’s up?” It’s like I saw him and scuffled away.

No? You worked on them and you didn’t get a bag?
Apparently, they were like impossible to get, even for the high up people. But it’s just work to me, you know? I see it everyday, five days a week. We had to paint these eyeballs on the bags, and after a while, I had dreams of them! It was like a mania, painting LV logos.

How do you change your design mentality going between designers?
You tweak it a little bit. I went from designing socks at J. Crew to Jill Stuart. You just get into the shoes of the customer, I guess. You imagine what they’d be wearing.

When did you decide to start your own line?
It was during one of my freelance jobs. It was super corporate and I was like ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ It hit me when I was doing mundane tasks like Excel spreadsheets and I just had to jump out and do it.

Was it scary?
Yes, it’s always scary, it still is. It’s like “Can I do this? Will people like it? I like it, but will people like it?”

What makes your bags special and different from all the other ones out there?
Oh my God, good question! Mine are the best [funny voice]. They just fit so much stuff. It’s like a magic Mary Poppins bag. It’s amazing. They’re based on a classic bag, it’s not trendy. I have fun colors for those that want that fashion statement bag.

So what inspires you?
I really love old suitcases. I have a whole bunch I buy off eBay. I love the ones from the fifties. In New York, you’re traveling all day long. When I was freelancing I needed to carry my whole life with me.

What is the best thing you’ve bought off eBay?
It’s a vintage 70s Gucci train case, almost like a doctor’s bag. I saw it and I had to have it. I was like the max bidder. I basically hang out on eBay.

What’s your personal style?
I’m always in jeans. I’m a t-shirt or cute blouse and jeans girl. I can wear jeans every day of my life, sometimes a little slobby though [laugh]. But it’s not like I’m going to work in Soho, I work in midtown!

What is your dream bag?
Oh, wow, there’s so many! I want a Chloé bag. I don’t even care which one.

But what if you had to choose?
Oh, one of those messenger ones. Oh no, oh no! Or a Bottega (Veneta) tote bag [points to her inspiration board].

What is your favorite accessory?
Bags and shoes. They always fit. They don’t make you look fat. You gain a few pounds and you can still wear it!

How many bags do you own?
I actually don’t have a lot of bags. About 10 really goods ones. I don’t have a real huge archive of bags. But in a way, depriving myself of bags, I’ll have to design out of necessity, right?

BAGISTA SNEAK PEAK:
For Fall 2007, Jenny Yuen has about six to seven styles, including an adorable studded pouch with gold chains. She’ll also add new colors to her best-selling Sherlock and Gatsby bags. Yuen is currently busy brainstorming for spring 2008!