Interview with Handbag Designer: Fiona Kotur

Fiona Kotur is a handbag designer who makes only beautiful evening bags, clutchs and minaudieres to bring even more glamour to your coacktail dresses. While supplying a touch of glam to your smartphone as well with handbag looking cases. Having founded her company in 2005 her bags have been in the hands of celebs on the red carpet and on the television screen. Recently launching a shoe collection as well, Fiona is taking the accessories world by storm.

What drew you towards being a handbag designer?
My mother always carried clutches and minaudieres when I was growing up, and I always thought they were an elegant way to finish an outfit. My own personal style is quite classic and I like to change up my look with accessories. I collect a lot of vintage minaudieres, to me, they are more like pieces of jewelry and even pieces of art in some cases.

How big of an influence was your mother and the house hold you grew up in?
My mother is strong, creative, expressive, fearless and an independent thinker. She was a fashion illustrator and decorator and I was lucky to have been exposed to such creativity throughout my life. It doesn’t hurt that she also has great personal style and I spent a lot of time dressing up in her amazing closet.

You worked for companies such as Ralph Lauren, Gap and Tory Burch. What did you learn and experience?
I always wanted to pursue art or design, and started my career at Ralph Lauren, designing hats and jewelry… and eventually oversaw the department. After five years, I decided to join Gap to gain more management experience, and to take part in the launch of their new brand, Old Navy. I launched the accessories division, and grew in the company to oversee product for the children’s and baby divisions. After moving to Hong Kong, I helped Tory Burch set up her business, specifically from the sourcing end, and after two years, founded KOTUR. KOTUR required me to use all the skills and experiences I have learned throughout my career, from design, merchandising and sourcing…

When did you decide to launch your own brand?
When I moved to Hong Kong, I stumbled across an amazing mill with beautiful vintage brocade fabrics that inspired me to launch KOTUR. The owner was retiring so I had the greatest idea to buy up all the remaining fabric to design a range of bags and the rest is handbag history.

What is the Kotur brand and what makes it different?
Little bags with big personalities sums up KOTUR. Our clutches and minaudieres can be statement pieces and transform an outfit and also look beautiful on a table. They command attention are a conversation pieces. We like to design bags that have a strong point of view, for women who are independent and confident in their own style and personality.

What makes this business special to you?
The minaudiere was the inspiration for my business and remains to this day my favorite fashion item. Having five boys (4 boys and my husband) at home, my clutches and minaudieres are really like my daughters and my creative outlet which is why it is special to me. My business keeps me balanced.

Which celebrities have carried your bags?
We have been lucky enough to adorn many gorgeous celebrities. Among my favorites are Kerry Washington on the red carpet and on the show Scandal, Diane Kruger to the SAG Awards, Tina Fey and Amanda Seyfried to the Oscars, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton and Uma Thurman to the FilmAid Gala amongst many others. We have also made cameo appearances on the shows Gossip Girl, Lipstick Jungle and Scandal.

What can we be looking forward to in the future?
We recently launched our first shoe collection in February. We debuted with a tight collection of three high heeled styles but are focused on expanding the Fall collection to offer mid-heels as well. Shoes are a much broader category we are venturing into and are excited to present to consumers shoes that suggest fun and adventure, but are serious in their workmanship and detail – they have a sense of whimsy, but mean business!