What's in my Bag? Interview #3: Iris R.
Opening our bags is like opening the doors to our inner-creative worlds.
Q: What are the non-negotiable items in your bag right now and why can’t you leave the house without them?
Iris: My non-negotiables change quite a bit but currently they are my glasses (sun & prescription), coach wallet that I love and have had forever, AirPods which are charged about 50% of the time, digital camera since it’s pretty small and can fit into most my bags, and a few mini makeup products, right now I have the ILIA mascara, Summer Fridays lip gloss, and a mini Caudalie roll on perfume! (And my phone & keys of course)
Q: What is the most special item you carry in your bag and why?
Iris: The most special item I would say is my film camera! If I can fit it I absolutely bring it wherever I can.
Q: What is your go-to snack to carry in your bag?
Iris: I usually have a macro bar and some ginger chews to fuel my ginger obsession throughout the day!
Q: Is your bag more for utility or for style?
Iris: I would say utility for the most part since I was solely a tote bag girl for a long time but now I try to find bags with both!
Q: What is your favorite bag in your collection OR your dream bag?
Iris: My favorite is a small brown leather shoulder bag I got when I was in Florence! It’s the perfect size and goes with a majority of the outfits I wear.
Q: What is your favorite way to accessorize your bag? Or do you prefer to leave it clean and simple?
Iris: A few of my bags have a little scarf tied to the strap! I think it’s a cute way to accessorize and match an outfit but otherwise I keep it pretty simple.
Q: What is your dream design feature that you wish more bags could have?
Iris: Pockets that zip shut on the inside is my favorite feature, I have so many little things that get lost so it’s nice to have a tiny bit of built in organization.
Q: What is an unconventional material you wish more bags were made of?
Iris: Something made out of some sort of natural fiber would be cool! I haven’t really thought about the logistics but there’s a lot you can do with weaving and knitting that has a lot of potential.
Q: What is one unrealistic item you wish you could carry in your bag?
Iris: Something that I wish I could pull out of thin air would probably be all the things needed to make myself a cup of tea or a matcha! I usually carry a tea bag with me if I can find hot water somewhere, but it would save me quite a bit of money when it comes to coffee shops.
Q: What is your favorite style of bag?
Iris: Shoulder bag with a small strap! I feel like it can be so universal.
Q: Who is your favorite bag designer?
Iris: Coach has my absolute favorite styles, but I would love to find some smaller unique designers.
Q: What movie, book, and song are you bringing with you to a deserted island?
Iris: movie: “ Love, Rosie” book: Where the Crawdads Sing and song: “Sunrise” by Norah Jones.
Q: Who are your style icons?
Iris: Best dressed and Emma Chamberlain have been my favorites since I was younger! And I feel like their style has grown along with mine as I get older.
Q: Which three celebrity closets would you raid?
Iris: I would love to raid Jennifer Aniston and Julie Delpy’s closets from the 90s and I’ve always adored Clairo’s wardrobe as well.
Q: What is an activity/sport/hobby you want to try that you have never tried before?
Iris: I’ve always wanted to get into screen printing and other types of printmaking but have never known where to start!
Q: Seeing as it’s summertime, what’s your favorite summer sweet treat?
Iris: I’m a simple girl… the outshine coconut popsicles are my fav summer sweet treat.
Q: What is your favorite summer activity?
Iris: Swimming in the lake followed up by a beach fire with some friends! Favorite way to cool off as well.
All about you…
Q: Where do you call home and what do you love most about it?
Iris: Northern Wisconsin up by Lake Superior is where I call home and what I love most about it is probably the natural beauty, and it also reminds me to slow down every once in a while.
Q: What color do you associate with yourself and why?
Iris: I associate myself with a turquoise since it’s always been my favorite and it reminds me of my mom since it also happens to be hers as well. I bought a vintage Kate Spade purse a while ago that was the perfect turquoise color and it was meant to be so of course I had to buy it.
Q: What activities make for a perfect day and night?
Iris: A slow morning and a good breakfast is a must! Along with spending time throughout the day with some of the people I love, whether it be errands or going to the lake for a swim! Then I love the idea of either going out dancing or for an adventure or staying in, making dinner and watching a movie depending on how we feel :)
Q: What are your top three films/tv shows/songs?
Iris: My top three films are a bit random but, “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” “Love, Rosie,” and “Rango”. Tv shows, “Conversations With Friends,” “Pride & Prejudice” (1995 series), and “Friends.” Songs are hard but one from each of my fav artists, “Toulouse” by Billie Marten, “Soak” by Abby Sage and “Selfless” by The Strokes.
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!
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.
If you enjoyed this interview, 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,
