Looking like a mix of West Coast casual and New York sophistication, designer Rebecca Minkoff met me on the corner of West Broadway and Houston Street in trendy SoHo. The dark haired and perfectly proportioned designer greeted me with a warm smile. So what were our handbags of choice for the day? She carried her Morning After Mini in black leather; I had my Gucci Pelham shoulder bag.

Over sushi rolls and green tea, the 26-year-old spilled the beans about her evolution from intern to stylist to designer. Rebecca moved to New York when she was 18 to do an internship with Craig Taylor. “My parents were like ‘Do what you want, as long as you are happy.’ And, my internship was paid so I was able to cover living expenses.” Eventually, Rebecca began to take night classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology, but that only lasted three semesters. “I realized I knew what to do and while I might not be the best, I know how to promote myself.” Sipping her tea, Rebecca advises, “You can’t be shy in this industry.”

So, at 21, she launched the Rebecca Minkoff clothing line which consisted of jersey dresses with sexy cutouts, draped tops and short shorts. “I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I learned as I went. My first line was five pieces – two suits and a top – which doesn’t really work.” Somebody thought she had it right because the line was picked up by numerous boutiques and over the course of three years celebs likes Cameron Diaz and Marisa Tomei began sporting her creations.

But this bagista eventually turned to handbags after a friend asked her to design a bag for a 2003 movie. “I made the first Morning After Bag, which wasn’t called that at the time. Unfortunately, the delivery didn’t happen and they started shooting without the bag. But, I had three samples made – one for the movie, one for my friend and one for press.”

The original Morning After Bag was brown canvas with brown trimmings. And that fabulous name – was inspired by a guy, of course. “I wanted something different. I didn’t want to give it a girl’s name and at the time I was dating a guy and I so had the morning after with him because I didn’t know if he would call me the next day.” Necessity called, so Rebecca designed the ideal bag to complement her sexy clothing. Few could resist this roomy doctor’s bag and orders began to poor in. By 2005, Rebecca switched from clothing to handbags. “With bags, you don’t have to worry about fit and shape. They are easier to sell.” Well, as long as you have great designs and a marketing plan – which she did. “I wanted to be the next Botkier, so I studied the brands press and tried to get similar placements.” Having already established name recognition with her clothing line, Rebecca began to promote her yummy handbags – sans pr.

Having been a stylist, including working with Heidi Klum for the first season of Project Runway, Rebecca had the contacts. She also had the confidence. It’s no surprise that as the fall/winter season approaches, the designer is projecting sales close to $1 million.

Fun Facts:
What’s in Rebecca Minkoff’s bag?
A Sidekick, black hair band, safety pins for on-the-go repairs, her Armani lip gloss because “I’m not a big makeup girl,” vitamins, sunglasses and an iPod.
What does Rebecca think of Heidi Klum?
“She’s so cute!”
Other handbag designers Rebecca likes: Balenciaga, Hayden-Harnett and Luba J

Pamela Pekerman, BagTrends Bag Guru