What's in my Bag? Interview #1
Introducing "What's in my Bag?" a new interview series where I discuss with friends what they carry in their bags and how these items help define their personal style!
We carry all kinds of things in our bags. Our keys, our wallet, our phone… several crumpled receipts from long forgotten shopping sprees… the list goes on. But the most important thing we carry in our bags? Secrets! The secrets to who we are at our very core. These might not be tangible items, but as I like to say, if the eyes are the windows to the soul, than taking a look inside someone’s bag is like unlocking a hidden art gallery where all the exhibits are a piece of that person’s style and personality. While the bag we carry can say a lot about us from the outside, it’s all about what’s inside. Our bags are often filled with the items we can’t be parted from. Just like how we collect memories, we collect little pieces from our adventures and slowly build a puzzle that reflects who we are. Opening our bags is like opening the doors to our inner-creative worlds.
To expand my newsletter’s “what’s in my bag?” segment a little further, I created a questionnaire for my closest friends and family to answer that I have now translated into interviews. The questions may be all about bags, but the answers unlock what makes each of us unique!
To kick things off, I did in fact interview myself! I hope you enjoy!
Q: What are some non-negotiable items in your bag right now and why can’t you leave the house without them?
Sullivan: I never leave the house without a book, lip gloss or lip balm, hand cream, my wired headphones, my journal and pens, suncream, my film camera, and of course, my lucky little spoon, which I found in Lisbon last summer. The spoon is no longer than my pinky finger but actually has come in handy when I forget my utensils when I pack a lunch for work. Wired headphones might be less practical than AirPods but I love being able to style them with an outfit, and I can usually locate my phone much faster if I toss it in a bag full of all my things. I’ve always loved L’Occitane en Provence, but their hand cream in the Amande scent is divine and someday I’ll collect the whole collection so I can be surrounded by the scent all the time.
Q: What is the most special item you carry in your bag and why?
Sullivan: My film camera isn’t just the most special item I carry in my bag, but one of if not the most prized item that I own. The film camera has been in my family for decades and was graciously passed down to me a few years ago. Three years ago now, I had the camera repaired and have been documenting my travels and everyday life on film ever since! There is truly something special about the act of shooting on film. You are capturing a moment, but also remaining present and attentive to detail because you must be aware of lighting and all your surroundings to capture the best shot. There’s also no feeling quite like receiving a roll of developed film and viewing all your photos, remembering some and surprising yourself with the ones you completely forgot you took.
Q: What is your go-to snack to carry in your bag?
Sullivan: My go-to snack to carry in my bag, and to have around the house in general, is fresh fruit. Fruit is the perfect pick-me up and is especially refreshing in the summertime when the heat and humidity is just too much to handle. My fruits of choice at the moment are a bag of cherries or a juicy white nectarine.
Q: Is your bag more for utility or for style?
Sullivan: Whenever possible, I try to combine utility and style, but I would say I lean more toward style. If I have a lot to carry, I try my best to use a tote bag or large shoulder bag that can fit everything comfortably, while still complimenting my outfit.
Q: What is your favorite bag in your collection OR your dream bag?
Sullivan: My small El Caballo book bag that fits my notebook, film camera, essentials like my wallet, keys, and phone, and, you guessed it, a book perfectly is definitely my favorite bag in my collection. The bag goes with any outfit and can easily be customized with a scarf or bag charm. The bag is extra special to me because it was handed down to me by a very dear family friend. Since this is my interview and my Substack, I make the rules so I’ll answer both questions! My dream bag currently is the Franca bag in dark brown from Gimaguas. I fell in love with Gimaguas a few summers ago and was finally able to see everything in person when I visited their store in Barcelona last summer.
Q: What is your favorite way to accessorize your bag? Or do you prefer to leave it clean and simple?
Sullivan: I typically like leaving my bags clean and simple, but when I feel like adding something I’ll usually tie a patterned scarf around the strap for a fun pop of color!
Q: What is an unconventional material you wish more bags were made of?
Sullivan: I wish more bags could be made out of glass, or use glass as a decorative material. Of course, I understand that a bag made entirely out of glass would be impractical, but I think glass could be used, almost like beads and sequins. For example, could you imagine a bag decorated with sea glass?! The sea glass could be woven into the fabric or attached like sequins to create a unique texture. Not only do I think sea glass would look amazing, but the material is sustainable as well!
Q: What is your dream design feature that you wish more bags could have?
Sullivan: I wish more bags were reversible so that you could turn it inside out for a different color/texture/pattern etc. So many tops and bikinis these days are reversible, so why not your bag?!
Q: What is one unrealistic item you wish you could carry in your bag?
Sullivan: I wish I could carry a small beach with me wherever I go so I can escape into salty turquoise waters for a swim whenever I wanted, soak in the sun, and collect sea glass all day long. A mermaid’s dream!
Q: What is your favorite style of bag?
Sullivan: I love smaller shoulder bags and recently have been into larger crossbody bags. I love how crossbody bags add a different angle to an outfit and can easily be styled up or down. I used to think of crossbody bags as old-fashioned but there are so many incredible designers right now making crossbody bags in the cutest colors and patterns.
Q: Who is your favorite bag designer?
Sullivan: Prada or Coach! Always chic and timeless.
Q: What movie, book, and song are you bringing with you to a deserted island?
Sullivan: For this specific scenario, I think I would bring Aquamarine so that I could feel like a mermaid, and the movie never fails to put a smile on my face. I would be reading Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados for the millionth time and listening to Fine Line (the song) by Harry Styles.
Q: Who are your style icons?
Sullivan: Claudia Schiffer in the 90s, Carrie Bradshaw, and Jane Birkin. They each have their own distinct style, but are all effortless and timeless. They are not extensions of their wardrobe, but rather their wardrobes are an extension of them. I love Claudia Schiffer’s style for her feminine silhouettes, Carrie Bradshaw’s style for her color combinations, and Jane Birkin’s style for her chic simplicity and lived-in quality.
Q: Which three celebrity closets would you raid?
Sullivan: Orion Carloto, Eva Meloche, and Kaia Gerber. Like my style icons, these celebrities all have different styles, but all ones that I admire. I love the classic and feminine silhouettes of Orion Carloto’s wardrobe, the feminine, yet elevated styles of Eva Meloche’s closet, and the timeless staples of Kaia Gerber’s wardrobe.
Q: What is an activity/sport/hobby you want to try that you have never tried before?
Sullivan: I have always wanted to try ceramics! I collect dishware so I would love to add a few of my own pieces to the collection. Since it’s summer, I also want to start biking more so I can run errands and commute to work without having to take the metro, and so I can enjoy the nice weather!
Q: Speaking of summertime, what’s your favorite summer sweet treat?
Sullivan: Any kind of gelato is my favorite evening or afternoon treat; ideally if I am walking around town around sunset. Any flavor works but I love strawberry or raspberry sorbet, pistachio, and coffee of course!
Q: What is your favorite summer activity?
Sullivan: Swimming in the ocean and being outside in the sunshine for as long as possible.
“What’s in my Bag?” Has been an idea of mine for a while now, and I am so happy to finally share the first official interview with you! If you read my newsletters, you’ll know that I usually include a small version of “What’s in my Bag?” But I wanted to dive deeper and have more fun with it. My goal is to post one interview each week, ideally on Wednesdays because “What’s in my Bag?” Wednesdays just has a nice ring to it, so you can expect more interviews like this in the future. If you enjoyed this first iteration, please like and share this post, subscribe to my Substack if you haven’t already, and if you would ever want to be interviewed for the segment, please leave a comment below and I’ll get in touch with more details!
Ciao for now,
