This past Wednesday evening Second City Style attended the Botkier Fall Collection Preview and Monica Botkier Q & A at HoneyMag's offices in Soho.
The Uma tote and bag are to the left and the Logan (black bag) are some of the season's standouts.
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My favorite: the Marti boot. The heel is the perfect height for city walking. I must own a pair!The Syndney Hobo is behind the boot.
I loved this pairing. The Angie fringe tote and clutch.
More from the Blotkier fall '09 collection (that is not my glass). Shown here: The Taylor Collection
Monica's inspiration for her Fall '09 collection was New York rocker chic. She looked back to her roots when she first launched her line back in 2003. How can one forget the iconic Trigger bag? I still have mine. The bags and shoes in the collection are about zippers, studs, hardwear, function and leather that just keeps getting better with age. An essential for Monica is an easy access pocket where one can stash their phone and a long key chain attached to the inside of the bag.
Popular styles: The Logan, The Uma (a ruched and tassled bag or tote), Taylor and my favorite: The Marti leather zipperd boots with a realistic city height heel for $595.
Monica Botkier talking about her Marti zippered boot
Question: What was your inspiration?
MB: I have always been inspired by rockers. I am a huge Led Zepplin fan. The asthetic resonates with me. I have a little rocker in me which is why I like bags that are a little edgy with grommets, studs and zippers.
Question: What motivated you to design handbags?
MB: I actually began my career as a photographer and was always seduced by accessories. But I couldn't afford the great bags of the time so I would have leather bags made for me that I designed. Models on the photo shoots began asking me where to get my bags and within months I was shipping to Barneys. It happened that quickly.
Question: What are the prices of your bags?
MB: I have found that $595 is the sweetspot price for my bags. We have not really raised the prices much since they launched. The larger tote style bags are $695.
Question: Who are some of your celebrity clientele?
MB: Angelina Jolie, Kate Bosworth, Joy Bryant, Megan Fox, Rihanna and Heidi Klum come to mind, but there are more.
Question: Are you going to ever launch a mens' line?
MB: Not until I have a retail store. It just doesn't make sense for me at this time.
Question: Where are your bags sold?
MB: At most of the major U.S. retailers like Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks and Shopbop. But for the full collection your best bet is to shop Botkier online. The fall bags are already online, the shoes and bots will be coming shortly.
– Lauren Dimet Waters
Photos: Second City Style and HoneyMag.com
