PB: Give us the background about how you got started in the handbag world.
Agathe: I was a French girl who moved to America. In the beginning I was a business woman who focused in finance and technology. I saw how technology continued to grow. It was around the time when Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) were making it big in the business world. I began to have the vision that everyone would carry a PDA or Blackberry in order to be most efficient. So I started developing fashion cases for phones and palm pilots. I worked with a man who was involved with the leather used by Hermes. Everything was being made with the idea of bridging fashion and technology. The price point I started out with ran about $300 per case but I quickly found out that most Americans were expecting to pay much more. I eventually started putting together more fashionable pieces. They were small clutches with multifunctional straps to wear across the body; I used metallic leathers, studs and high end hardware. Throughout the entire process, I wanted to make these small leather goods functional and fashionable. I would say the Los Angeles area picked up on it first and it grew from there. Making bags was such a different world. I wasn’t expecting to go into that market, but when everything took off, I knew it was the next step.
PB: Were you surprised by how well received the pieces you made were?
Agathe: Yes. I really didn’t think it was going to become a full time job. At the first show in New York City, people were literally lining up to see what Gustto had to offer. One thing that everyone kept talking about was the soft leather and unique hardware that was used. Neiman Marcus was the first retail store to pick up Gustto.
PB: Speaking of Gustto, how did you come up with the name of your line?
Agathe: Gustto was derived from the Italian and Spanish way of saying “taste”. The name was internationally based and as we grew the name seemed to stick. When I did take a look back and considered changing the name I realized it was perfect the way it was. Plus, keeping the name I started with meant I was staying true to my entire mission, bringing fashion into technology.
PB: Is there anything in particular you draw your inspiration from? Or perhaps, something you keep in mind when designing your bags?
Agathe: For me, I visualize beauty. Whether it is bringing something to beauty by the look, hair, style, in my mind, accessories always add to and capture the look. I do find a lot of luck in Italy. In Italy, the environment is filled with beauty. With all of the history, monuments, and buildings, there is something special to see and take in. Walking in the streets it as if I am realizing a story that is taking place. There is a look and a feeling to the people, to the women. The next step for me is to figure out what accessory would go best with that look. What I design is not always appealing to the masses, but the Gustto girl and the power the bag gives her works.
PB: Tell us about the girl you design for.
Agathe: The Gustto girl is sexy and glamorous but never over the top. It has to be the right balance. The look doesn’t have to be obvious, but it is always present.
PB: When did you notice that Gustto took off?
Agathe: I really love yachts and there is this famous boat show in Italy that I went to. It was while I was there that I realized things had taken off. I saw an American woman carrying one of my bags, the Sola. At that point I still hadn’t considered myself a designer, but from that point on out, I began to think that I was. It was a total WOW moment for me. Almost like a wake-up call saying, “hey, maybe you have something here”. But you know, I really followed and believed in the American dream. I totally believed in going for what you believed in. Explore and go after it!
PB: Lately, all sorts of celebrities have been spotted carrying Gustto bags. Has this impacted the way you design bags or the way the line has grown?
Agathe: The celebrity influence has been great. Jessica Simpson, Halle Berry and Jessica Alba were the first to embrace Gustto. I think that this celeb-craze has been very significant for us. The more that celebs are photographed with these bags, the more interest in the line I see. Eva Longoria has carried the Bomba Clutch and continues to carry it. The part that I love the most is when I see that the brand is being embraced. You know, not a celeb carrying the bag once or twice, but instead it is the loyalty that some of them have developed for the brand.
PB: You’ve also launched ballerina flats, right?
Agathe: Yes! These are made in Italy and come in six colors. They are cute, functional, have a nice cut, and are adorned with stitching and piping. They are great and a lot of fun.
PB: We’ve heard the mention of a Gustto denim line. Is this happening soon? Tell us more!
Agathe: Yes, we just launched the denim line recently. It is my hope that we’ve created amazing pants, not just denim. The pants are sophisticated and made with special material and detail. For example, there is a great pair of waxy black pants that can be warn with flip flops or heels. These are the perfect black pants for just about anyone to wear and to so many occasions! I’ve found at this point that I often look at myself and think, “What am I missing? How can I find it? I’ll design it!” Everything is custom made and will have a great, snug fit.
PB: Where can we find these new items?
Agathe: They’ve been picked up by some boutiques, but they can also be found on the Gustto website.
PB: What’s next?
Agathe: I want to create an entire lifestyle. Of course, I will keep doing what has made the line successful, but I do want to create the entire Gustto lifestyle, capture that Gustto girl I have in my mind. I am going to wait for the economy to calm down, but when it does, this will be my next step.
