PB: Why did you choose handbags and shoes rather than jewelry, which you had been working on in Paris?
DEVI: At that time there was a gap in the handbag market. Bags were not good at that time and I decided it was my chance and I could slowly expand the collection. I added shoes later, and will be adding jewelry. I want to keep on expanding.
PB: Where do you gather inspiration for your designs?
DEVI: Buildings and architecture. I don’t really look at other designers to do my bags. I have a bag that is based on a lamp that I have at home, the Wooden Box clutches are inspired by the New York skyline. It is a different approach. This bag is inspired by an accordion. For me it is about finding some interesting things that do not necessarily have anything to do with bags; it could be architecture, a musical instrument, lamps, but it is almost never a handbag.
Vlad (points to Accordion bag): Is that stingray?
DEVI: Wow, you are good! How did you go from being a swimmer to bags! This bag is interesting though, it has the stingray, the python in the middle, and then eel.
PB: What was the hardest part about breaking into the fashion industry?
DEVI: I have to say I was very lucky. I did not really have a hardest part. I think most people think it is difficult to get in, but I think the hardest part is to stay in continue to deliver and grow. In this market it is about what is hot and new, but what do you do when you are not new? You have to do something else to keep people excited.
PB: From your travels, do you find any city has influenced you more or given you more inspiration?
DEVI: The snake skin from my time in Asia and their prevalence in the markets, the metallics are very French because they do a lot of guilded things, the colors and craftsmanship are very Italian as they are known for strong colors since their Renaissance period, the clean structures are very Austrian as everything there is very perfect and symmetrical.
