A Splash of Rebecca Minkoff

Answer 1

Young American fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff is known the world over for her handbags. Minkoff was born in San Diego, CA and began sewing at the age of eight. She worked in the costume department of her performing arts high school where she learned how to make patterns and construct and drape garments. She moved to New York City when she was eighteen to work as an intern for fashion designer Craig Taylor.

Rebecca Minkoff’s big break came when she sent a fun and funky “I Love New York” shirt to her friend Jenna Elfman on September 9th. This was two days before the historic catastrophe of 9/11/01. Jenna Elfman received the shirt on September 13th and wore it on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The rest, as they say, is history. The shirt and Rebecca Minkoff were an overnight sensation.

Rebecca Minkoff had never really intended to branch out into making handbags. Jenna Elfman asked Minkoff to design a handbag for an upcoming movie. Minkoff made two of these bags, one for herself and the other for Elfman. It was never used in the movie, but the “Morning After Bag,” or “MAB” for short, became a star anyway. It was written about in the Daily Candy, and its popularity took off. The demand for the “Morning After Bag” was so strong that Minkoff stopped working on clothing and concentrated on the bag. The idea behind the bag was that it could transition from day to night and maybe squeeze in a sleepover, hence the name. Minkoff has a sense of humor and loves to play with the names of her bags.

Handbags made by Rebecca Minkoff are designed for the everyday woman. They are comfortable, functional, but a little bit edgy. She usually designs them two-toned in color. She likes for them to be playful and uses a different theme for each season, and the bags are given names that fall in with the theme. Minkoff bags can be found in high-end department stores and boutiques all around the world.

For Spring 2011, she will be launching a line of bags for men. Yes, man bags. The new “Ben Minkoff” collection is inspired by her grandfather who was a World War II fighter pilot, so she wants it to have the look of the bags used by the Air Force in the 1940’s. This collection will have a rugged, durable and vintage style.

Rebecca Minkoff is back to designing apparel, and her handbags are as fun as ever. Her handbags are designed with all women in mind, but are also a favorite with celebrities. She will always be a favorite designer with an eye for splashes of color and a spirit that loves to break the boundaries.