What does it really take to go from fashion fan to front-row reporter in today’s content-saturated world?
Michaela Mix Caccia Negrete—better known as Ms. Mix of The Fashion Mix—proves that bold moves and relentless hustle still open doors. After being rejected from nearly 70 NYFW shows, she didn’t turn around—she turned up. With a mic in hand and street-style savvy, she interviewed celebs like Addison Rae and carved out her space in fashion media one video at a time. 🎧 Listen now.
In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, Michaela gets candid about:
📱 Building a digital-first fashion media brand from the sidewalk up
🎥 How she covers mega-events like the Oscars with 30+ pieces of content in one night
👜 The biggest handbag trends right now—and what designers need to know
đź’ˇ Her hot take on whether celebrity or influencer endorsements matter more today
🗓️ Why an editorial calendar isn’t optional if you want to stay relevant
From TikTok virality to serious industry cred, Michaela offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how content, community, and consistency build influence in fashion today.
Our Guest: Michaela “Ms Mix” Caccia Negrete is the creator of The Fashion Mix, a digital fashion platform known for its fast-paced, insider-style content on TikTok, Instagram, and beyond. With a background in journalism and a self-made reporting style, Ms. Mix brings sharp insight, real-time trend analysis, and high-energy commentary to fashion lovers worldwide.
Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands.
Find Handbag Designer 101 Merch, HBD101 Masterclass, one-on-one sessions, and opportunities to book Emily Blumenthal as a speaker at emilyblumenthal.com.Â
Buy Emily’s Books: “Handbag Designer 101” & “Savvy Suzanna’s Amazing Adventures in Handbags”
Youtube: / Handbagdesigner101-ihda | Instagram:/ Handbagdesigner
TikTok: / Handbagdesigner | Twitter: / Handbagdesigner
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I do think the power of celebrity continues to be
king.
I think you know, when you lookat even at my content right,
like a lot of content is as wellfor me you know they may like
what I'm saying and information,but it's also because X, y and
Z celebrity wore that bag and soI mean I think influencers can
be really powerful to theiraudience, but I do still find in
(00:21):
like the pop culture space, youknow, a Rihanna wearing
something, a Tiana Taylorwearing something, a Taylor
Swift wearing something is going, especially of a smaller
designer, and I mean I think allthree of those individuals do.
That is going to be morepowerful.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Hi and welcome to Handbag Designer 101, the
podcast, with your host, emilyBlumenthal, handbag industry
expert and the handbag fairygodmother.
Each week, we uncover thestories behind the handbags we
love, from the iconic brands andtop designers to the creativity
, craftsmanship and culture thatdefine the handbag world.
Whether you're a designer,collector or simply passionate
(00:59):
about handbags, this is yourfront row seat to it all.
Welcome.
Welcome to Handbag Designer 101, the podcast.
Today we have Michaela MixCaccia Negrete, aka Ms Mix of
(01:20):
the Fashion Mix.
Thank you for joining us today.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Thank you for having me.
I'm so excited to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Oh my God, I am too.
So I discovered you on social,because it was kind of hard not
to.
I'm obsessed with your posts.
I'm obsessed and I have to sayI know you're big on TikTok, or
bigger on TikTok.
I found you on Instagram.
How did you develop thisaffinity for fashion reporting
and having the confidence to put?
Speaker 1 (01:47):
your two cents out there, yeah, and I appreciate
that, and it's so funny becauseI held off on creating an
Instagram for so long and inlike the six months since I've
done it, posted consistently.
I found so many amazing peoplelike you, so it's great to learn
that it's working.
You know, I think I've alwaysloved fashion.
I've always been someone whowants to dress up and talk about
it, and I really saw around twoyears ago that there was a gap
(02:09):
in talking about fashion news ina way that felt approachable
and positive and fun.
I think there are so manypeople that want to learn about
fashion and be involved in thespace, but you know, I always
say like there's a lot offashion critics, but what's the
opposite of that?
You know fashion positivity,and so I really saw that gap and
have posted every day sincethen.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Do you sometimes post more than once a day, or you
try to stick to once a daybecause it's so much work, oh
way more than once a day.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Yeah, I mean and we can talk more about this but I
got my start in fashion on Depopactually, because I wanted to
sell fashion to people all overthe world for sustainable, you
know, and affordable prices.
And then, when I decided tokind of switch my fashion lens
to TikTok, I really went intotheir algorithm and I realized,
oh, I have to be postingmultiple times a day.
So I would say my first year Iposted at least five times a day
(02:56):
.
I mean Oscars night.
I'm posting 30 to 40 videos inone night.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
How much editing are you doing per video where you're
just doing it and posting,doing it and posting?
Speaker 1 (03:05):
It depends, I think you know, for my green screen
commentary videos.
I'm pretty good now at knowingkind of what I want to say and
I'll think about it ahead oftime.
So it's not as much editing asmuch as it's making sure my
message is really clear.
You might see, in a lot of myvideos I talk really really
quickly and it's 15 seconds so Iwant to make sure the viewer or
the listener is getting all theinformation I need.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
So sometimes it's just rerecording, like what I
want to say, to make sure mymessage is clear and then you're
pulling the footage immediatelyand then you're saving it, and
then that is so fascinating andI don't want to sound.
It's so much work.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
It's funny because I was saying to someone the other
day in my so I'm about to hitlike the end of year two and so
my first year, like I'd alwayswatched, you have Oscars or the
Grammys, but I didn't understandaward season.
Like I didn't understand that,for you know, four months out of
the year, almost every weekend,there's something right, and so
I would just post and often I'dbe behind on coverage in my
(03:59):
first year because I just didn'tknow.
And so going into the secondround of awards season this year
, you know I have a full plan.
I have pre-coverage multipledays in advance.
I have pre-coverage morning of,I have during coverage and I
have post-coverage, and so thosedays it's like that is what I'm
doing On Oscars.
You know, sunday I'm all in.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
So so you have a.
You have an official editorialcalendar that you're following.
Now I think I need to getbetter at it.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
I will say, like Met Gala just happened, and I you
know, you find that during theseevents there's so much you can
cover and it's overwhelming, andthen you end up not always
covering the things you want to.
So something I've recentlystarted to do is like make a
list of my pre-coverage, make alist of my during coverage and
then a list of my post coverage,and it might change throughout
the night, but just so I kind ofhave one list and I can check
(04:44):
things off, so I kind of don'tget lost in.
Oh my gosh, I could be posting50 things right now and I post
none of them.
Right, right right right.
I think getting more organized.
It's definitely in the nextyear, as we look into year three
, something that I'mprioritizing.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
How do you see yourself going up against people
who are, in theory, doing theexact same thing?
You are?
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Yeah, you know it's interesting because in my first
year I only posted on TikTok no,I've been really on Instagram
and then I started gettingquestions from media companies
and I noticed with publicationsthat I wasn't getting
opportunities because I hadn'tbeen seen interviewing people or
writing.
And so in the last year, you'llsee, I've written for Slam's
first ever League Fits magazineas one of the voices of women's
(05:25):
basketball and fashion.
I wrote for the Zoe Report onNew York Fashion Week trends.
Like I think I'm really tryingto be a triple threat in the
reporting space to show people Ican write, I can interview and
I can commentate and I thinkthat's what sets me apart.
You might have someone who isreally amazing on camera but has
never written, you know, for afashion magazine and kind of
knows how that world works.
So really, just get as manyexperiences as I can with the
(05:49):
different subject matter experts, like throughout the fashion
industry.
I think is, I'm hoping, whatwill set me apart long term.
But we'll see it's hard.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
How were you able to transition, though, from doing
these commentating and thentrying to make sure that you're
able to get your way intoshowing up or even being at
these events to ensure thatyou're the one who's doing the
interviewing?
And, whilst doing theinterviewing, how are you able
to then quickly edit them tomake sure that you are the one
(06:20):
who gets?
Speaker 1 (06:20):
there first.
Yeah, it's tough.
So I think definitely a bigbefore and after moment.
So far my career was I've beendoing TikTok for a little over a
year.
Last August and I really wantedto go to New York Fashion Week
but at that point, like I didn'thave any association with any
publications or anything, and soI was pitching out to you know,
the 70 shows on the CFDAcalendar or it's less shows than
(06:42):
that, but all of the shows, andI was just rejection after
rejection, like I mean, I hadlike 60 rejections but I had
already booked my tickets and Isaid I'm just going to go.
I stayed up with my best friendin New Jersey and where do you
live?
Los Angeles, okay, huge thing.
And I went and I told my bestfriend and I'm so grateful to
her.
Like you know, we walked aroundNew York until we found a show
(07:04):
and I have my microphone and Istarted interviewing and I
dressed up in like the aestheticof the show and I think
honestly, you know I was goodwith my one question.
People know from my videos, youknow, describe your look in one
word, and if the conversationcontinues, it does.
But were you outside or inside?
I was outside.
No, no no I was rejected fromall the shows and so we show up.
It was Alice and Olivia was thefirst one we found.
(07:26):
I just started interviewing andthen I made friends with the
street photographers and theytold me the next address.
So then I mean it was stillless than a year ago, but last
September it went from okay, itwas rejected from 70 shows.
I flew to New York, I ended upcovering outside of the show 10
to 12 shows and I spoke with somuch A-list talent.
You know Lola Tung, the star ofthe Summer I Turn Pretty.
(07:47):
A big turning point was AddisonRae did like a full interview
with me on the street and so Iwas able to use those interview
examples in a portfolio to startpitching out to magazines.
Listen, I can do this on thestreet with like one second with
talent.
Imagine if you can get me on acarpet and I actually get time
to talk with them.
And so really it was justsaying YOLO and going out there.
(08:10):
That kind of jumpstarted mycareer to the next part, which
is how I'm getting these writingopportunities and these
interviewing opportunities.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Now Was your friend, there with you the whole time to
record you having thesemeetings Because you need a
sidekick.
It's not like you can hold yourcamera and being like, hey,
hold on, wait, wait.
Okay, now go.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Yeah, I mean it's funny and I her name is Julie
Kim.
She's an incredible artist, soI would never call her a
sidekick.
Shout out, Julie.
Shout out, Julie.
She's the most incredibleartist and everyone needs to go
look at her stuff.
But you know, she's someone whoI think she is such a visionary
in terms of honestly likecreative direction as well, and
so I think you know, being anartist, you kind of have to have
that, and she's incrediblyfashionable, and so she was such
(08:49):
an asset to me.
I mean, we've been, I took herto a show this last February and
I you know I'll be like this isa creative consultant for me,
you know, like I really trusther, and so she was there.
And then I have another goodfamily friend, Lola, who's like
my little sister, who likebraved coach with me, which was
like crazy outside of coach.
So I have a few.
I'm so lucky I have people inmy life who are willing to
(09:09):
support me.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
So you have it's kind of hard, though realistically,
to get these ins.
I mean, you could say you'redoing everything alone, but
realistically you need to havesomeone there with you.
I mean it's almost impossible.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
You know it's interesting because something
I've discovered is because youknow it was such a shift.
So, like in September, fashionweek of 2024, yeah, 2024, you
know, I had zero shows.
I stood outside 12 shows.
Fast forward to February.
A few months ago I went to likesix or seven shows.
I mean it was such a differentand it was because I was going
to publications and thepublications hire me because I
mix and I, you know, I havepeople have eyes on my stuff,
(09:49):
and so it's doing it alone.
But it's also now I'm in thespaces instead of being outside
and I have to be because, guesswhat, the fashion show is not
giving you two tickets Rightright, right Now, about,
actually, when I'm in thosespaces.
I have one video that wentviral where I interviewed Gavin
Castellanio, who's a star of thesummer.
I turned pretty inside of ashow with his wife and I was the
(10:11):
only one interviewing him, andso I kind of did this video of
like, let's go see if Gavin saysyes, okay, then I did the
interview.
I'm not in it, but at the endit's getting creative about
those POVs when I have to bealone, because it is so much
harder.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Yeah, I mean again, it's the art of a hustle and you
have to be creative about it,it's so.
I mean honestly, this is so.
I mean I'm so excited to betalking to you and I know this
is like silly to fangirl, butyou know no.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
I'm so, I'm such a fan of yours.
Oh my God, revolutionize thehandbag industry.
And so, oh, thank you.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
I've got so much cooking in the handbag space.
It's kind of ridiculous.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
I can't wait to share .
I know we did talk about thatanother time.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Oh my God.
So you said that you have animpending opportunity
potentially to writespecifically about handbags.
So where do you feel and interms of trends and so forth and
I love talking about this Doyou see celebrities embracing
the circular trend or do youthink they're actually getting
those bags, the real bagsthemselves?
Speaker 1 (11:25):
no-transcript, and I think it was just like Winnie
Harlow did a partnership witheBay or it was some secondhand
brand for I think Formula One,like I do think there's this
really interesting intersectionand, granted, like my background
is in vintage, you know fashionand secondhand fashion.
I think there's thisinteresting intersection in
(11:49):
fashion of you want the vintagething, you want the rare thing,
but you also want the thingthat's in really good condition
and feel special.
And I do think that there aremany celebrities who have
embraced, you know, circularfashion for a long time.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
You look at Bella Hadid as one, I think about they
do it more for apparel, nothandbags, though.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Yeah, I guess Okay, so specifically I don't know.
See, that's interesting.
I feel like there are a lot ofyoung female fashionistas who
love a vintage handbag.
I feel like when I make videoson like every once in a while
I'll do a video on my shoppinghacks and it's almost always
around how to find a Gucci bagfor under 200 bucks on Poshmark
or something.
(12:24):
So I actually I don't know, Iwould push back a little bit
there.
I think that often in thesecondhand space, people feel
like handbags are the mostattainable, like they're going
to be less nervous about buyinga secondhand handbag than a
secondhand.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
They're also the most sought after.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
Right, right, that's true, there's an intersection
there.
But so many.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
I have so many incredible bags that are
secondhand, so, I think,continue to embrace it so that
said, like even coming off theheels of the Met Gala even prior
, and you know, like what coachdid?
And it's funny, I had a very,very, very quick phone call with
Todd Kahn whilst he was on hisphone, while he was on his way
(13:02):
to the airport and and wastalking to him and he said that
his sweet spot right now is the17-year-old girl.
He is not abandoning that.
How do you think all of, like,the oversized bags which are
obviously statement making?
How do you think, from FashionWeek to retail, to what you see
on the streets, to thecelebrities?
How do you see thisintersection of novelty versus
(13:26):
function, of what you'reactually seeing like use versus?
I'm here for the pictures.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Yeah, you know, it's so funny because immediately
what comes to mind is coachesrelease of the kiss lock bag.
A few months ago, right, I mean, they released the one kiss
lock, which was a statement.
It's massive but it was veryfunctional.
They made clear it was sobrilliant, such a brilliant
marketing from coach on thewebsite.
They had a picture ofeverything that fit in that bag
(13:53):
so you could fit a laptop in it,you could fit a change of
clothes in it, you could fit.
But it was also a statement.
And then they also released thedinosaur kiss lock bag, which I
think could not fit very much,but it was all about the
statement.
I do think brands are kind ofcontinuing to figure out how
they can provide a maximalistoption for their customer while
(14:14):
the bag is still functional.
And it's interesting and it'sexciting to me because I do
think we are more so in an ageof maximalism.
I think for a long time it wasquiet fashion and quiet luxury
and things like that.
But it is shifting back alittle bit and I do credit
companies like Coach forproviding a bag that's under
$1,000, which is still a lot ofmoney, but comparatively to
other fashion houses under$1,000, really fun colors, have
(14:37):
the ability to do really fun keychains, but it also can fit a
lot and I think other brandsneed to follow suit.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
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Yeah, I think you're prettyspot on.
So you were saying, though,that if there was anything you
could talk thoughtfully about,or speak thoughtfully about, it
would be handbag retail trendsor handbag trends within the
celebrities.
If I dare ask you a blanketstatement handbag trends within
(16:33):
celebrities, go.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Oh my gosh, that's hard.
I'm trying to think what I'veseen most recently.
I mean, definitely the big bagis still in.
I think that people are reallylike I think about, like maybe a
Kylie Jenner or I don't know,like I feel like I'm seeing a
lot of huge tote bags, butthey're not always in black,
like they might be in a green orbrown or white, like I think
people are gravitating towardscolors.
(16:57):
Celebrities are gravitatingtowards colors that are wearable
.
Yet a little bit more of astatement and definitely an
oversized bag lens.
I'm trying to think what else Imean I think about like the
Louis Vuitton Murakamire-release.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
I mean celebrities love that this is like the
fourth time I've spoken aboutthis today alone.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
It's crazy, you know it continues but it's, and you
know they're releasing theCherry Collection now, which is
going to have a huge surge thissummer.
But I also think that there's atrend right now I'm trying to
think who it was, I can'tremember, but you know like the
concept for the celebrity rightnow of dressing high, low, and I
feel like handbags are a way ofwhere you can still have a
great.
(17:34):
I mean, any piece of fashioncan be great, no matter the
price.
But handbags seem to be a spacewhere you can kind of intersect
with that.
Ok, they can get a hundred, twohundred dollar bag that's still
beautiful and really unique andkind of connect more with their
fan base than maybe some othergarments that they want to wear.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Do you think, though, that said, celebrity versus
influencer or aka creator, interms of being an unknown
independent designer and gettingyour hands into you're, getting
your bag into the hands ofthose people?
Where do you see the value now,and what do you think?
(18:11):
Who would be more likely towear it?
An influencer who would perhapswant to have some sort of
monetary payment or some sort ofbarter value?
Or a celeb who would not wantanything?
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Yeah, that's interesting.
I mean it's so funny.
I was on a call this morningwhere I talked about this.
Like I do think the power ofcelebrity continues to be king.
I think you know, you, when youlook at even at my content,
right, like a lot of content isas well for me, you know they
may like what I'm saying andinformation, but it's also
because X, y and Z celebritywore that bag, and so I mean I
(18:45):
think influencers can be reallypowerful to their audience, but
I me about just getting yourstuff seen.
I feel like as a small designer, it can be really hard.
(19:12):
There's so much out there andso getting, yeah, your bag in
the right place at the righttime, or getting the right
stylist to see it is hard withinitself.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
So would you recommend and again, I've gone
through this.
I mean, I've been doing thisfor a long time.
It really comes down to gettingyour product into the stylist's
hands and then see what theycan do with it.
Is that who you deal with interms of talking?
Or sometimes you're able to gostraight to the celebrity, or
you just don't even care.
You're like I'm going to coverthis and if I get a response, I
(19:43):
get a response.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
It's the third.
It's funny because in the lastsix months and actually you talk
about Instagram you know morestylists are on Instagram than
on TikTok.
You know I posted a videoyesterday about Joey King's
Mechelle look and I saw and herstylist commented immediately
with a hilarious gif of a pope.
My God, interesting, because Ido.
(20:05):
I cover when I like somethingand I cover when I should be
covered.
The stylist recognition.
Every once in a while, thecelebrity recognition comes and
I think if I see a celebrity atan event or something, I'll
mention.
Hey, I covered this because theother, you know, a few months
ago I was email, I was dmingwith the stylist and I was like
I really hope this celebritysees this and she goes.
(20:27):
Oh my gosh, the publicist lovedit and she's seen it.
So it's like I don't even knowwhat ends up being in their
inboxes from me, which is why,when I meet them in person, it's
so important to connect.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Yeah, I think all of those things are so, so
important, especially, you know,as you're trying to build your
brand as well, in terms of whatyou think is going to happen.
You know, again, speaking abouthandbags, are you keeping your
eye?
I mean, especially if you're inLA.
I think what a lot of designersneglect to realize is that the
(21:01):
varying customer base of onecity versus another yes, and
what you see in LA, even if itis a, is a celebrity chances are
it's just going to go straightinto a car, whereas if they're
in new york, they're probablywearing it out.
Right, how?
Speaker 1 (21:15):
interesting.
So I feel like inner shots areso common for celebrities here.
You know, the thing that Ithink's on the radar, I have a,
an acquaintance who's wonderful,kiara luna.
She's a newer handbag brand anddesigner who I love her stuff
it's really high quality leatherand timeless designs.
She just did like a pop-upevent in New York with I don't
(21:36):
remember the store and I thinkthat's like a great way for
upcoming designers.
You know I being in LA Venice issuch a great area.
You have all these markets andthese pop-ups and to me, like
you just don't the power ofcelebrity is important, but I
also think it's underestimatedthe power of all of the people
behind the scenes besides thestylist.
(21:56):
Right, if a celebrity's bestfriend or mom or agent or
whatever sees a bag and theylove it, like that can influence
, and so I think in cities likela new york, something I've
learned is, like you just neverknow who you're talking to, and
so these community spaces isreally important, like these
markets.
I think markets are such agreat.
I've met so many incrediblecreatives through going to flea
(22:18):
markets and art markets.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
You know it's funny because I used to say that the
most prevalent bag you wouldever see at a flea market is a
coach bag, Right when it cameout with the baseball mint
leather before they sold it toSarah Lee and then they bought
it back because then they wentinto mixed materials.
I did my MBA thesis on coachesexpansion.
I know it very well.
Speaker 1 (22:39):
Evening.
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
I'm a coach super fan .
Yeah, I mean even going back towith the husband and wife and
where they out.
It's just I could talk aboutall day long.
But in terms of newness andinnovation, which I still think,
there's a huge deficit, and Ithink you know that.
Budget wise, what a lot ofindependent designers always
(23:01):
need to remember, and you spoketo that, is that the bags must
be below a thousand, let alonebelow 500, if they really want
someone to pick it up.
Have you seen a specific brandthat is on the rise now being in
the hands of celebrities,influencers and so forth, that
you were like, oh, this isinteresting.
Who?
Speaker 1 (23:20):
made that.
You know it's interesting andit's not something.
I don't think his bags areunder a 500.
But Jared Elner is EmmaChamberlain's stylist, has is
also has worked with SabrinaCarpenter's, her stylist often.
What is the brand name?
My is Jared Elner is the nameof the stylist and I think
that's what he's calling thebrand and he makes these really
(23:41):
fantastic like rectangle bags.
I've really never seen and youtalk about functionality like
you can fit a lot in that bagand they're all different colors
and it's a rectangle andthere's like, but it looks like
it was made through ribbons,almost.
So it's a really interestingmaterial but it's actually
fairly functional in terms ofwhat you could put inside of it.
The video I did on it wentreally viral and he also had
(24:02):
Emma Chamberlain do the shoot,which of course, helps.
But that's a bag.
I think we're going gonna see alot more celebrities in come
summer.
But it's not.
You know it's not a sub 500.
I think they're in the 700range.
I'm trying to think of like Imean, I always go back to coach,
I really do.
I think they're unparalleledright now in terms of price
point and quality.
I like what Madewell does forlike an under 250 option.
(24:25):
They're not a designer, but Ithink they're functional and
they're beautiful.
They use beautiful fabric, likea blue suede.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
I have from that Made well as JCrew.
So that's why.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Yeah, yeah, I mean yeah, JCrew, you know they're
combined, but like I see greatevening bags from JCrew often,
but I feel like for me, like Ioften am always just buying
secondhand and so I look morefor that.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
But you know it's funny.
I had a conversation with mystudents about do you think a
brand could be launched onDeepHop specifically and as an
independent new creative product?
I and you've seen brands dothat because their price points
(25:10):
obviously can't be the same.
They can't be upwards of three,four, five hundred dollars on
depop.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
No, so I'm not.
I don't see that price pointand, candidly, I'm not as
involved in the depop worldanymore, but it used to be my
life.
I see a lot of apparel launchon there, so a lot of like a
graphic tee that's unique.
I don't, you're right, I don'tsee as much as a handbag.
I wouldn't be surprised ifthere's some like crochet
handbag.
I bought a like a homemadecrochet handbag on there when I
was still selling on there fromlike a great girl I mean I don't
(25:39):
think she has a business, butit was like a heart handbag and
it had all these differentcolors and it was all crochet
novelty and yeah, very novelty,but it definitely happens.
I mean, I think depop and it'sagain.
It's shifted since I was big,but it is a very unique like
social selling platform and ithas a lot of young people on it
who are looking for uniquepieces.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
So I definitely think it's possible so just you know,
to wrap up in terms of yourfinal thoughts and I know this
is going to run probablysignificantly after the Magdala,
what I know what things do youthink right now are impacting
the trend, whether it's fashionapparel, like, what do you think
(26:22):
is the wave?
I mean, people cantheoretically say tariffs, but I
don't think that's the case sofar as what that will do to how
people are dressing and wearingand shopping, at least at the
level of the people you'refollowing.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Yeah, that's a good question.
One word that comes to mind, Ithink, is wearability.
I think that, you know, wefinally have come more out of
COVID and people are just doingmore things, and so I think
people are constantly trying.
We talk about, yeah, like thefunction versus maximalism.
I do think that continues to bea play and you see, you know
this, the like I just saw aphoto of I think it was Gigi
(26:58):
Hadid and Kendall Jenner likewalking after the Met Gala, you
know, in New York, and they werelike both in flats and baggy
clothes, like it was verycomfortable.
So I do think we're seeing alot of these like big fashion
people wearing clothes that aremaximalist, with patterns, but
comfortable.
I mean what else, I don't know.
I think also, I mean this iswhen it happens every year, but
(27:20):
I think now more than ever, I amseeing just how like weather
truly affects I mean, it's God,but it it, you know and it
affects just how each citydresses and like the trend for
that year, like if LA is warmer,there's going to be more
sundresses and there's going tobe more mini skirts.
If New York is colder goinginto spring, then, you know, a
(27:40):
cool, maximalist jacket is goingto be around for longer, but I
do think, you know, I look atsomeone like Dochi who I would
argue right now is like thebiggest fashion, one hundred
percent, and she uses so manyaccessories and so many, you
know, unique pieces and she'ssomeone who has supported her
and her stylist, sam, havesupported multiple like small
designers, growing designers,and so, yeah, I feel like it's
(28:04):
just now more than ever.
I do think in some ways, peopleare embracing like
individuality and maximalism, atleast that's my hope.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
Yeah, I listen.
I am here for it 100%.
Ms Nix, thank you so much.
I'm so excited that we are hereto have you and I absolutely
want to have you back, so we cantalk about trend updates, post
the next wave of celebrity showsthat obviously require an
update.
So how can we find you, followyou and see more of your amazing
(28:35):
content?
Speaker 1 (28:36):
yes, everything is at the fashion mix t-h-e-e fashion
mix, instagram, tiktok or whereyou'll find me the most.
But you'll also find me writingfor your favorite publication,
maybe reporting on your favoritered carpet and interviewing
some of our favoritefashionistas.
So, but I'm there.
I'm on TikTok daily andInstagram is almost daily at
this point.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
So gosh, I can't even see your calendar of how you
get up and get dressed.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, thanks for listening.
Don't forget to rate and reviewand follow us on every single
platform at Handbag Designer.
Thanks so much.
See you next time.
I do think the power of celebrity continues to be
king.
I think you know, when you lookat even at my content right,
like a lot of content is as wellfor me you know they may like
what I'm saying and information,but it's also because X, y and
Z celebrity wore that bag and soI mean I think influencers can
be really powerful to theiraudience, but I do still find in
(00:21):
like the pop culture space, youknow, a Rihanna wearing
something, a Tiana Taylorwearing something, a Taylor
Swift wearing something is going, especially of a smaller
designer, and I mean I think allthree of those individuals do.
That is going to be morepowerful.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Hi and welcome to Handbag Designer 101, the
podcast, with your host, emilyBlumenthal, handbag industry
expert and the handbag fairygodmother.
Each week, we uncover thestories behind the handbags we
love, from the iconic brands andtop designers to the creativity
, craftsmanship and culture thatdefine the handbag world.
Whether you're a designer,collector or simply passionate
(00:59):
about handbags, this is yourfront row seat to it all.
Welcome.
Welcome to Handbag Designer 101, the podcast.
Today we have Michaela MixCaccia Negrete, aka Ms Mix of
(01:20):
the Fashion Mix.
Thank you for joining us today.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Thank you for having me.
I'm so excited to be here.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Oh my God, I am too.
So I discovered you on social,because it was kind of hard not
to.
I'm obsessed with your posts.
I'm obsessed and I have to sayI know you're big on TikTok, or
bigger on TikTok.
I found you on Instagram.
How did you develop thisaffinity for fashion reporting
and having the confidence to put?
Speaker 1 (01:47):
your two cents out there, yeah, and I appreciate
that, and it's so funny becauseI held off on creating an
Instagram for so long and inlike the six months since I've
done it, posted consistently.
I found so many amazing peoplelike you, so it's great to learn
that it's working.
You know, I think I've alwaysloved fashion.
I've always been someone whowants to dress up and talk about
it, and I really saw around twoyears ago that there was a gap
(02:09):
in talking about fashion news ina way that felt approachable
and positive and fun.
I think there are so manypeople that want to learn about
fashion and be involved in thespace, but you know, I always
say like there's a lot offashion critics, but what's the
opposite of that?
You know fashion positivity,and so I really saw that gap and
have posted every day sincethen.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Do you sometimes post more than once a day, or you
try to stick to once a daybecause it's so much work, oh
way more than once a day.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Yeah, I mean and we can talk more about this but I
got my start in fashion on Depopactually, because I wanted to
sell fashion to people all overthe world for sustainable, you
know, and affordable prices.
And then, when I decided tokind of switch my fashion lens
to TikTok, I really went intotheir algorithm and I realized,
oh, I have to be postingmultiple times a day.
So I would say my first year Iposted at least five times a day
(02:56):
.
I mean Oscars night.
I'm posting 30 to 40 videos inone night.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
How much editing are you doing per video where you're
just doing it and posting,doing it and posting?
Speaker 1 (03:05):
It depends, I think you know, for my green screen
commentary videos.
I'm pretty good now at knowingkind of what I want to say and
I'll think about it ahead oftime.
So it's not as much editing asmuch as it's making sure my
message is really clear.
You might see, in a lot of myvideos I talk really really
quickly and it's 15 seconds so Iwant to make sure the viewer or
the listener is getting all theinformation I need.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
So sometimes it's just rerecording, like what I
want to say, to make sure mymessage is clear and then you're
pulling the footage immediatelyand then you're saving it, and
then that is so fascinating andI don't want to sound.
It's so much work.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
It's funny because I was saying to someone the other
day in my so I'm about to hitlike the end of year two and so
my first year, like I'd alwayswatched, you have Oscars or the
Grammys, but I didn't understandaward season.
Like I didn't understand that,for you know, four months out of
the year, almost every weekend,there's something right, and so
I would just post and often I'dbe behind on coverage in my
(03:59):
first year because I just didn'tknow.
And so going into the secondround of awards season this year
, you know I have a full plan.
I have pre-coverage multipledays in advance.
I have pre-coverage morning of,I have during coverage and I
have post-coverage, and so thosedays it's like that is what I'm
doing On Oscars.
You know, sunday I'm all in.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
So so you have a.
You have an official editorialcalendar that you're following.
Now I think I need to getbetter at it.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
I will say, like Met Gala just happened, and I you
know, you find that during theseevents there's so much you can
cover and it's overwhelming, andthen you end up not always
covering the things you want to.
So something I've recentlystarted to do is like make a
list of my pre-coverage, make alist of my during coverage and
then a list of my post coverage,and it might change throughout
the night, but just so I kind ofhave one list and I can check
(04:44):
things off, so I kind of don'tget lost in.
Oh my gosh, I could be posting50 things right now and I post
none of them.
Right, right right right.
I think getting more organized.
It's definitely in the nextyear, as we look into year three
, something that I'mprioritizing.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
How do you see yourself going up against people
who are, in theory, doing theexact same thing?
You are?
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Yeah, you know it's interesting because in my first
year I only posted on TikTok no,I've been really on Instagram
and then I started gettingquestions from media companies
and I noticed with publicationsthat I wasn't getting
opportunities because I hadn'tbeen seen interviewing people or
writing.
And so in the last year, you'llsee, I've written for Slam's
first ever League Fits magazineas one of the voices of women's
(05:25):
basketball and fashion.
I wrote for the Zoe Report onNew York Fashion Week trends.
Like I think I'm really tryingto be a triple threat in the
reporting space to show people Ican write, I can interview and
I can commentate and I thinkthat's what sets me apart.
You might have someone who isreally amazing on camera but has
never written, you know, for afashion magazine and kind of
knows how that world works.
So really, just get as manyexperiences as I can with the
(05:49):
different subject matter experts, like throughout the fashion
industry.
I think is, I'm hoping, whatwill set me apart long term.
But we'll see it's hard.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
How were you able to transition, though, from doing
these commentating and thentrying to make sure that you're
able to get your way intoshowing up or even being at
these events to ensure thatyou're the one who's doing the
interviewing?
And, whilst doing theinterviewing, how are you able
to then quickly edit them tomake sure that you are the one
(06:20):
who gets?
Speaker 1 (06:20):
there first.
Yeah, it's tough.
So I think definitely a bigbefore and after moment.
So far my career was I've beendoing TikTok for a little over a
year.
Last August and I really wantedto go to New York Fashion Week
but at that point, like I didn'thave any association with any
publications or anything, and soI was pitching out to you know,
the 70 shows on the CFDAcalendar or it's less shows than
(06:42):
that, but all of the shows, andI was just rejection after
rejection, like I mean, I hadlike 60 rejections but I had
already booked my tickets and Isaid I'm just going to go.
I stayed up with my best friendin New Jersey and where do you
live?
Los Angeles, okay, huge thing.
And I went and I told my bestfriend and I'm so grateful to
her.
Like you know, we walked aroundNew York until we found a show
(07:04):
and I have my microphone and Istarted interviewing and I
dressed up in like the aestheticof the show and I think
honestly, you know I was goodwith my one question.
People know from my videos, youknow, describe your look in one
word, and if the conversationcontinues, it does.
But were you outside or inside?
I was outside.
No, no no I was rejected fromall the shows and so we show up.
It was Alice and Olivia was thefirst one we found.
(07:26):
I just started interviewing andthen I made friends with the
street photographers and theytold me the next address.
So then I mean it was stillless than a year ago, but last
September it went from okay, itwas rejected from 70 shows.
I flew to New York, I ended upcovering outside of the show 10
to 12 shows and I spoke with somuch A-list talent.
You know Lola Tung, the star ofthe Summer I Turn Pretty.
(07:47):
A big turning point was AddisonRae did like a full interview
with me on the street and so Iwas able to use those interview
examples in a portfolio to startpitching out to magazines.
Listen, I can do this on thestreet with like one second with
talent.
Imagine if you can get me on acarpet and I actually get time
to talk with them.
And so really it was justsaying YOLO and going out there.
(08:10):
That kind of jumpstarted mycareer to the next part, which
is how I'm getting these writingopportunities and these
interviewing opportunities.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Now Was your friend, there with you the whole time to
record you having thesemeetings Because you need a
sidekick.
It's not like you can hold yourcamera and being like, hey,
hold on, wait, wait.
Okay, now go.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Yeah, I mean it's funny and I her name is Julie
Kim.
She's an incredible artist, soI would never call her a
sidekick.
Shout out, Julie.
Shout out, Julie.
She's the most incredibleartist and everyone needs to go
look at her stuff.
But you know, she's someone whoI think she is such a visionary
in terms of honestly likecreative direction as well, and
so I think you know, being anartist, you kind of have to have
that, and she's incrediblyfashionable, and so she was such
(08:49):
an asset to me.
I mean, we've been, I took herto a show this last February and
I you know I'll be like this isa creative consultant for me,
you know, like I really trusther, and so she was there.
And then I have another goodfamily friend, Lola, who's like
my little sister, who likebraved coach with me, which was
like crazy outside of coach.
So I have a few.
I'm so lucky I have people inmy life who are willing to
(09:09):
support me.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
So you have it's kind of hard, though realistically,
to get these ins.
I mean, you could say you'redoing everything alone, but
realistically you need to havesomeone there with you.
I mean it's almost impossible.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
You know it's interesting because something
I've discovered is because youknow it was such a shift.
So, like in September, fashionweek of 2024, yeah, 2024, you
know, I had zero shows.
I stood outside 12 shows.
Fast forward to February.
A few months ago I went to likesix or seven shows.
I mean it was such a differentand it was because I was going
to publications and thepublications hire me because I
mix and I, you know, I havepeople have eyes on my stuff,
(09:49):
and so it's doing it alone.
But it's also now I'm in thespaces instead of being outside
and I have to be because, guesswhat, the fashion show is not
giving you two tickets Rightright, right Now, about,
actually, when I'm in thosespaces.
I have one video that wentviral where I interviewed Gavin
Castellanio, who's a star of thesummer.
I turned pretty inside of ashow with his wife and I was the
(10:11):
only one interviewing him, andso I kind of did this video of
like, let's go see if Gavin saysyes, okay, then I did the
interview.
I'm not in it, but at the endit's getting creative about
those POVs when I have to bealone, because it is so much
harder.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Yeah, I mean again, it's the art of a hustle and you
have to be creative about it,it's so.
I mean honestly, this is so.
I mean I'm so excited to betalking to you and I know this
is like silly to fangirl, butyou know no.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
I'm so, I'm such a fan of yours.
Oh my God, revolutionize thehandbag industry.
And so, oh, thank you.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
I've got so much cooking in the handbag space.
It's kind of ridiculous.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
I can't wait to share .
I know we did talk about thatanother time.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Oh my God.
So you said that you have animpending opportunity
potentially to writespecifically about handbags.
So where do you feel and interms of trends and so forth and
I love talking about this Doyou see celebrities embracing
the circular trend or do youthink they're actually getting
those bags, the real bagsthemselves?
Speaker 1 (11:25):
no-transcript, and I think it was just like Winnie
Harlow did a partnership witheBay or it was some secondhand
brand for I think Formula One,like I do think there's this
really interesting intersectionand, granted, like my background
is in vintage, you know fashionand secondhand fashion.
I think there's thisinteresting intersection in
(11:49):
fashion of you want the vintagething, you want the rare thing,
but you also want the thingthat's in really good condition
and feel special.
And I do think that there aremany celebrities who have
embraced, you know, circularfashion for a long time.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
You look at Bella Hadid as one, I think about they
do it more for apparel, nothandbags, though.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Yeah, I guess Okay, so specifically I don't know.
See, that's interesting.
I feel like there are a lot ofyoung female fashionistas who
love a vintage handbag.
I feel like when I make videoson like every once in a while
I'll do a video on my shoppinghacks and it's almost always
around how to find a Gucci bagfor under 200 bucks on Poshmark
or something.
(12:24):
So I actually I don't know, Iwould push back a little bit
there.
I think that often in thesecondhand space, people feel
like handbags are the mostattainable, like they're going
to be less nervous about buyinga secondhand handbag than a
secondhand.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
They're also the most sought after.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
Right, right, that's true, there's an intersection
there.
But so many.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
I have so many incredible bags that are
secondhand, so, I think,continue to embrace it so that
said, like even coming off theheels of the Met Gala even prior
, and you know, like what coachdid?
And it's funny, I had a very,very, very quick phone call with
Todd Kahn whilst he was on hisphone, while he was on his way
(13:02):
to the airport and and wastalking to him and he said that
his sweet spot right now is the17-year-old girl.
He is not abandoning that.
How do you think all of, like,the oversized bags which are
obviously statement making?
How do you think, from FashionWeek to retail, to what you see
on the streets, to thecelebrities?
How do you see thisintersection of novelty versus
(13:26):
function, of what you'reactually seeing like use versus?
I'm here for the pictures.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Yeah, you know, it's so funny because immediately
what comes to mind is coachesrelease of the kiss lock bag.
A few months ago, right, I mean, they released the one kiss
lock, which was a statement.
It's massive but it was veryfunctional.
They made clear it was sobrilliant, such a brilliant
marketing from coach on thewebsite.
They had a picture ofeverything that fit in that bag
(13:53):
so you could fit a laptop in it,you could fit a change of
clothes in it, you could fit.
But it was also a statement.
And then they also released thedinosaur kiss lock bag, which I
think could not fit very much,but it was all about the
statement.
I do think brands are kind ofcontinuing to figure out how
they can provide a maximalistoption for their customer while
(14:14):
the bag is still functional.
And it's interesting and it'sexciting to me because I do
think we are more so in an ageof maximalism.
I think for a long time it wasquiet fashion and quiet luxury
and things like that.
But it is shifting back alittle bit and I do credit
companies like Coach forproviding a bag that's under
$1,000, which is still a lot ofmoney, but comparatively to
other fashion houses under$1,000, really fun colors, have
(14:37):
the ability to do really fun keychains, but it also can fit a
lot and I think other brandsneed to follow suit.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
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masterclass today.
Yeah, I think you're prettyspot on.
So you were saying, though,that if there was anything you
could talk thoughtfully about,or speak thoughtfully about, it
would be handbag retail trendsor handbag trends within the
celebrities.
If I dare ask you a blanketstatement handbag trends within
(16:33):
celebrities, go.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
Oh my gosh, that's hard.
I'm trying to think what I'veseen most recently.
I mean, definitely the big bagis still in.
I think that people are reallylike I think about, like maybe a
Kylie Jenner or I don't know,like I feel like I'm seeing a
lot of huge tote bags, butthey're not always in black,
like they might be in a green orbrown or white, like I think
people are gravitating towardscolors.
(16:57):
Celebrities are gravitatingtowards colors that are wearable
.
Yet a little bit more of astatement and definitely an
oversized bag lens.
I'm trying to think what else Imean I think about like the
Louis Vuitton Murakamire-release.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
I mean celebrities love that this is like the
fourth time I've spoken aboutthis today alone.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
It's crazy, you know it continues but it's, and you
know they're releasing theCherry Collection now, which is
going to have a huge surge thissummer.
But I also think that there's atrend right now I'm trying to
think who it was, I can'tremember, but you know like the
concept for the celebrity rightnow of dressing high, low, and I
feel like handbags are a way ofwhere you can still have a
great.
(17:34):
I mean, any piece of fashioncan be great, no matter the
price.
But handbags seem to be a spacewhere you can kind of intersect
with that.
Ok, they can get a hundred, twohundred dollar bag that's still
beautiful and really unique andkind of connect more with their
fan base than maybe some othergarments that they want to wear.
Speaker 2 (17:50):
Do you think, though, that said, celebrity versus
influencer or aka creator, interms of being an unknown
independent designer and gettingyour hands into you're, getting
your bag into the hands ofthose people?
Where do you see the value now,and what do you think?
(18:11):
Who would be more likely towear it?
An influencer who would perhapswant to have some sort of
monetary payment or some sort ofbarter value?
Or a celeb who would not wantanything?
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Yeah, that's interesting.
I mean it's so funny.
I was on a call this morningwhere I talked about this.
Like I do think the power ofcelebrity continues to be king.
I think you know, you, when youlook at even at my content,
right, like a lot of content isas well for me, you know they
may like what I'm saying andinformation, but it's also
because X, y and Z celebritywore that bag, and so I mean I
(18:45):
think influencers can be reallypowerful to their audience, but
I me about just getting yourstuff seen.
I feel like as a small designer, it can be really hard.
(19:12):
There's so much out there andso getting, yeah, your bag in
the right place at the righttime, or getting the right
stylist to see it is hard withinitself.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
So would you recommend and again, I've gone
through this.
I mean, I've been doing thisfor a long time.
It really comes down to gettingyour product into the stylist's
hands and then see what theycan do with it.
Is that who you deal with interms of talking?
Or sometimes you're able to gostraight to the celebrity, or
you just don't even care.
You're like I'm going to coverthis and if I get a response, I
(19:43):
get a response.
Speaker 1 (19:44):
It's the third.
It's funny because in the lastsix months and actually you talk
about Instagram you know morestylists are on Instagram than
on TikTok.
You know I posted a videoyesterday about Joey King's
Mechelle look and I saw and herstylist commented immediately
with a hilarious gif of a pope.
My God, interesting, because Ido.
(20:05):
I cover when I like somethingand I cover when I should be
covered.
The stylist recognition.
Every once in a while, thecelebrity recognition comes and
I think if I see a celebrity atan event or something, I'll
mention.
Hey, I covered this because theother, you know, a few months
ago I was email, I was dmingwith the stylist and I was like
I really hope this celebritysees this and she goes.
(20:27):
Oh my gosh, the publicist lovedit and she's seen it.
So it's like I don't even knowwhat ends up being in their
inboxes from me, which is why,when I meet them in person, it's
so important to connect.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Yeah, I think all of those things are so, so
important, especially, you know,as you're trying to build your
brand as well, in terms of whatyou think is going to happen.
You know, again, speaking abouthandbags, are you keeping your
eye?
I mean, especially if you're inLA.
I think what a lot of designersneglect to realize is that the
(21:01):
varying customer base of onecity versus another yes, and
what you see in LA, even if itis a, is a celebrity chances are
it's just going to go straightinto a car, whereas if they're
in new york, they're probablywearing it out.
Right, how?
Speaker 1 (21:15):
interesting.
So I feel like inner shots areso common for celebrities here.
You know, the thing that Ithink's on the radar, I have a,
an acquaintance who's wonderful,kiara luna.
She's a newer handbag brand anddesigner who I love her stuff
it's really high quality leatherand timeless designs.
She just did like a pop-upevent in New York with I don't
(21:36):
remember the store and I thinkthat's like a great way for
upcoming designers.
You know I being in LA Venice issuch a great area.
You have all these markets andthese pop-ups and to me, like
you just don't the power ofcelebrity is important, but I
also think it's underestimatedthe power of all of the people
behind the scenes besides thestylist.
(21:56):
Right, if a celebrity's bestfriend or mom or agent or
whatever sees a bag and theylove it, like that can influence
, and so I think in cities likela new york, something I've
learned is, like you just neverknow who you're talking to, and
so these community spaces isreally important, like these
markets.
I think markets are such agreat.
I've met so many incrediblecreatives through going to flea
(22:18):
markets and art markets.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
You know it's funny because I used to say that the
most prevalent bag you wouldever see at a flea market is a
coach bag, Right when it cameout with the baseball mint
leather before they sold it toSarah Lee and then they bought
it back because then they wentinto mixed materials.
I did my MBA thesis on coachesexpansion.
I know it very well.
Speaker 1 (22:39):
Evening.
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
I'm a coach super fan .
Yeah, I mean even going back towith the husband and wife and
where they out.
It's just I could talk aboutall day long.
But in terms of newness andinnovation, which I still think,
there's a huge deficit, and Ithink you know that.
Budget wise, what a lot ofindependent designers always
(23:01):
need to remember, and you spoketo that, is that the bags must
be below a thousand, let alonebelow 500, if they really want
someone to pick it up.
Have you seen a specific brandthat is on the rise now being in
the hands of celebrities,influencers and so forth, that
you were like, oh, this isinteresting.
Who?
Speaker 1 (23:20):
made that.
You know it's interesting andit's not something.
I don't think his bags areunder a 500.
But Jared Elner is EmmaChamberlain's stylist, has is
also has worked with SabrinaCarpenter's, her stylist often.
What is the brand name?
My is Jared Elner is the nameof the stylist and I think
that's what he's calling thebrand and he makes these really
(23:41):
fantastic like rectangle bags.
I've really never seen and youtalk about functionality like
you can fit a lot in that bagand they're all different colors
and it's a rectangle andthere's like, but it looks like
it was made through ribbons,almost.
So it's a really interestingmaterial but it's actually
fairly functional in terms ofwhat you could put inside of it.
The video I did on it wentreally viral and he also had
(24:02):
Emma Chamberlain do the shoot,which of course, helps.
But that's a bag.
I think we're going gonna see alot more celebrities in come
summer.
But it's not.
You know it's not a sub 500.
I think they're in the 700range.
I'm trying to think of like Imean, I always go back to coach,
I really do.
I think they're unparalleledright now in terms of price
point and quality.
I like what Madewell does forlike an under 250 option.
(24:25):
They're not a designer, but Ithink they're functional and
they're beautiful.
They use beautiful fabric, likea blue suede.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
I have from that Made well as JCrew.
So that's why.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Yeah, yeah, I mean yeah, JCrew, you know they're
combined, but like I see greatevening bags from JCrew often,
but I feel like for me, like Ioften am always just buying
secondhand and so I look morefor that.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
But you know it's funny.
I had a conversation with mystudents about do you think a
brand could be launched onDeepHop specifically and as an
independent new creative product?
I and you've seen brands dothat because their price points
(25:10):
obviously can't be the same.
They can't be upwards of three,four, five hundred dollars on
depop.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
No, so I'm not.
I don't see that price pointand, candidly, I'm not as
involved in the depop worldanymore, but it used to be my
life.
I see a lot of apparel launchon there, so a lot of like a
graphic tee that's unique.
I don't, you're right, I don'tsee as much as a handbag.
I wouldn't be surprised ifthere's some like crochet
handbag.
I bought a like a homemadecrochet handbag on there when I
was still selling on there fromlike a great girl I mean I don't
(25:39):
think she has a business, butit was like a heart handbag and
it had all these differentcolors and it was all crochet
novelty and yeah, very novelty,but it definitely happens.
I mean, I think depop and it'sagain.
It's shifted since I was big,but it is a very unique like
social selling platform and ithas a lot of young people on it
who are looking for uniquepieces.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
So I definitely think it's possible so just you know,
to wrap up in terms of yourfinal thoughts and I know this
is going to run probablysignificantly after the Magdala,
what I know what things do youthink right now are impacting
the trend, whether it's fashionapparel, like, what do you think
(26:22):
is the wave?
I mean, people cantheoretically say tariffs, but I
don't think that's the case sofar as what that will do to how
people are dressing and wearingand shopping, at least at the
level of the people you'refollowing.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Yeah, that's a good question.
One word that comes to mind, Ithink, is wearability.
I think that, you know, wefinally have come more out of
COVID and people are just doingmore things, and so I think
people are constantly trying.
We talk about, yeah, like thefunction versus maximalism.
I do think that continues to bea play and you see, you know
this, the like I just saw aphoto of I think it was Gigi
(26:58):
Hadid and Kendall Jenner likewalking after the Met Gala, you
know, in New York, and they werelike both in flats and baggy
clothes, like it was verycomfortable.
So I do think we're seeing alot of these like big fashion
people wearing clothes that aremaximalist, with patterns, but
comfortable.
I mean what else, I don't know.
I think also, I mean this iswhen it happens every year, but
(27:20):
I think now more than ever, I amseeing just how like weather
truly affects I mean, it's God,but it it, you know and it
affects just how each citydresses and like the trend for
that year, like if LA is warmer,there's going to be more
sundresses and there's going tobe more mini skirts.
If New York is colder goinginto spring, then, you know, a
(27:40):
cool, maximalist jacket is goingto be around for longer, but I
do think, you know, I look atsomeone like Dochi who I would
argue right now is like thebiggest fashion, one hundred
percent, and she uses so manyaccessories and so many, you
know, unique pieces and she'ssomeone who has supported her
and her stylist, sam, havesupported multiple like small
designers, growing designers,and so, yeah, I feel like it's
(28:04):
just now more than ever.
I do think in some ways, peopleare embracing like
individuality and maximalism, atleast that's my hope.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
Yeah, I listen.
I am here for it 100%.
Ms Nix, thank you so much.
I'm so excited that we are hereto have you and I absolutely
want to have you back, so we cantalk about trend updates, post
the next wave of celebrity showsthat obviously require an
update.
So how can we find you, followyou and see more of your amazing
(28:35):
content?
Speaker 1 (28:36):
yes, everything is at the fashion mix t-h-e-e fashion
mix, instagram, tiktok or whereyou'll find me the most.
But you'll also find me writingfor your favorite publication,
maybe reporting on your favoritered carpet and interviewing
some of our favoritefashionistas.
So, but I'm there.
I'm on TikTok daily andInstagram is almost daily at
this point.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
So gosh, I can't even see your calendar of how you
get up and get dressed.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, thanks for listening.
Don't forget to rate and reviewand follow us on every single
platform at Handbag Designer.
Thanks so much.
See you next time.
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