Meet The Bag Designer (Page 3)

We continue to have the pleasure of meeting some of our favorite designers, designers that I have always admired and looked up to. Meeting Be and Steve of Be&D was a total treat. The duo are inherently different yet compliment each other wonderfully. And because just one interview was not enough, we are able to share another fun read with you! Both Be and Steve from Be and D let us in on some of their Valentine’s Day traditions, thoughts, and wants.

From Be Inthavong, Co-Founder/Designer Be & D

Valentine’s Day, worth the hype or overrated? I think Valentine’s day should be viewed like any other holiday. Do we really need a designated day out of the year to remind us to love our parents, to exchange gifts, to be thankful, and to love? I think any designated day to anything wonderful is worth it!

Your favorite part about Valentine’s Day as a child: I loved buying Valentine’s day cards and passing them out in class. But when I was younger, I had just moved to America and spoke no word of English. I would pass out birthday cards and get well cards to my classmates for Valentine’s Day! I was glad the teacher didn’t call me out on it!

Your favorite part about Valentine’s Day as an adult: I’m such a hopeless romantic sucker. I love to make plans to go out and celebrate. I love dressing up, having dinner at a nice place, having drinks at a cozy bar, and all the romantic things I could think of.

For all of you who follow celebs and handbags as much as we do, you’ve noticed that Gustto handbags are making their way to the forefront of many magazines. I feel like more times than not, I turn my head and I see a celeb carrying a Gustto handbag. I was lucky enough to meet with some of the Gustto staff a couple months ago back in San Diego and I can’t wait to continue to bring you great news about Gustto – I am sure you’ll be as happy as I am! Gearing up to that, check out the great Valentine’s Day answers Agathe, the Creative Director and President of Gustto had to share with us!

Being from France, are there different traditions when it comes to Valentine’s Day there than here? Valentine’s Day is, universally, about “l’amour” – spending time with the person you love. Traditions are the same in France, and with the French in America! One tradition my husband and I have is to wake up together and have breakfast in bed – we like croissants and fresh-squeezed orange juice, sometimes a mimosa! We also make that day our own; we turn off our Blackberries and just make the day about us.

Sometimes I have a hard time keeping surprises secret. I find myself getting so excited that I want everyone to know what’s in store right away! The founder and creative director of Belen Echandia, Jackie Cawthra, and I have been working on a fabulous opportunity for Purse Blog and Purse Forum readers. So, although I want to spill it right now, I’m gonna keep you waiting – trust me, the anticipation is worth it. In the mean time, check out Jackie’s take on some Valentine’s Day questions.

Living in Europe, is there something extra special about Valentine’s Day folks here in the states might not be able to experience? An impromptu trip to Paris!

What is the most extravagant Valentine’s Day gift/activity have you ever heard of (be it a personal story, one from a friend or even one you’ve heard about)? Last year an anonymous wealthy businessman pledged to buy his wife two suborbital spaceflights on Virgin Galactic. I don’t know if it was actually true, but if it were it would be the most extravagant, fascinating and exciting Valentine’s Day gift I have ever heard of!

Are you finalizing all your Valentine’s Day plans? As the hours tick by I know plenty of people are scrambling to finalize plans, make plans or tweak plans. Whatever you decide to do, know you can keep coming back here to read all the fun stuff some of our favorite designers are doing! Today, creative director for Botkier, Monica talks Valentine’s Day with us.

What was your most memorable Valentine’s Day? My husband likes to say that everyday should be Valentine’s Day, not just 1 day of the year. Last year we celebrated with our then 3 year old daughter, who surprised me with a red long stem rose.

What was the best gift you’ve received on Valentine’s Day? Malcolm Betts hammered gold and diamond band, hubby and I went and picked them out for each other at Barney’s.

Creative director of Bird Handbags, Liz Carey has lead quite a life. Jet-setting, designing, modeling, there is just so much to learn about this amazing designer. Today, she takes a moment to share Bird Handbags and love.

Do you look forward to or dread Valentine’s Day, why? I look forward to it because it is a day where you might possibly get a gift… or at least some chocolate.

What is your favorite Valentine’s Day splurge? Eating nonstop!

If/when you have a significant other, does Valentine’s Day seem more important? Umm hello, yes. Without one I find it a real bore… especially embarrassing having to mail valentines to yourself. Always awkward.

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day this year? I’m assuming I’ll be whisked away to a private island where I’ll be spoon-fed chocolate pudding by a team of handsome man servants and massaged vigorously. (Or, maybe my man will take me to dinner.)

What is the best Bird gift for Valentine’s Day, why? A One Night Stand Bag, clearly… hello.

We had the chance to steal a few moments from the vastly popular and busy Rebecca Minkoff to nab her thoughts on Valentine’s Day. Rebecca Minkoff is busy with her handbag lines and up next is a clothing line, which will be debuting soon. If her clothing line is anything like her handbag line, get ready to fight for what you want!

Love/Hate Valentine’s Day: Like- its fun and romantic but sometimes its too blown out of proportion!

Favorite movie to watch on Valentine’s Day: P.S. I love you

Best gift you have given on Valentine’s Day: A guitar to my fiance that me and some friends and family bought

Valentine’s Day plans: Hiding in a dark corner of our favorite restaurant and eating by candlelight

The best Rebecca Minkoff bag for a Valentine’s Day gift, why?: The Valentine’s Day Pouch Set, its a set of 3, is affordable and brightens up winter!

What is your favorite thing about Valentines Day? I love to celebrate a day that is filled with love. It is a day that should be about the person you love, not about what you can give or receive. It is a time when people who normally have trouble expressing their feelings may find it a bit easier to communicate. I love to celebrate being in love.

What is your least favorite thing about Valentines Day? I often think about the people who do not have a significant other, and how they would be spending the day. I do feel that it gives everyone the opportunity to reach out to everyone we love, not just our mate. I also do not like all of the commercialization that comes with the Holiday.

What is your dream Valentines Day like? My dream Valentines Day would involve spending a FULL day with my husband. I would plan a schedule of things that we love to do together and make sure we only have time for each other; turn off the outside world for a day!