'Bag Lady'

Rebecca Minkoff

Everyone in fashion has seen the “It” bag: the sleek leather handbag spotted in a spectrum of colors perfect for the morning after a night of unspoken fun. “The Morning After Bag” has in fact been caught on the arm of various celebutantes, from Jessica Szohr to Rachel Bilson and Lindsay Lohan.

Yet little is known about Rebecca Minkoff and her eponymous line of handbags and apparel. Daily Candy takes a closer look at the life of Minkoff in an exclusive video interview.

Why we love her:

Playful, girly and with a slight edge, Rebecca Minkoff’s flair for style resonates with many women looking for quality apparel and accessories that are cool, yet not over-the-top. Even five years after the birth of “The Morning After Bag,” the iconic bag is still sold out in stores, now available in new fabrics and with interesting hardware.

How she started:

The California native has long been sewing and designing, eventually moving to New York after graduation. But Minkoff, who specialized in apparel, didn’t branch out into handbags until close friend and celebrity Jenna Elfman (“Darma and Greg”) asked her to design a handbag for her next film. Another good friend did a write-up on the bag, generating interest in the line.

"The Morning After Bag" version

What you will find:

A day-to-night handbag collection in colors from eye-popping to classic, in addition to a ready-to-wear collection launched back in 2009.

The coolest bag lady in town

Who’s got the bag:

Find a Rebecca Minkoff handbag worn by model Agyness Deyn, actresses Lauren Conrad, Keira Knightly, Reese Witherspoon. The enterprising designer has appeared on “Good Morning American” and “Fox Business News.” She was honored in 2009 by New York Moves Power Women for her entrepreneurial spirit and success in fashion.

What’s next:

Although not officially announced, Minkoff has openly said that in the future she would like to launch a shoe line. In addition to a shoe line, expanding her business overseas and opening her own store locations in international global markets are all eventual goals for the designer.

Where to find:

Shop Rebecca Minkoff bags and apparel at Bloomingdale’s, Shopbop, Searle, and Anthropologie among others.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of rebeccaminkoff.com; bagbliss.com; the dailyobsession.net