Cathy O'Brien: Exclusive Interview with National Handbag Enthusiast

Cathy O’Brien is a handbag enthusiast, to say the least. Known as the National Handbag Writer for the Examiner, an online newspaper with as many viewers as 7 million viewers each day, Cathy also has her own fashion blog where she updates her fans with fashion events and advice. Her fantasy celeb closet? “Julie Benz has a style similar to mine...On the other hand, I think Rachel Zoe has the best fantasy closet.” However, she adds that she “would have all the fur removed from her closet first though, I don’t do fur.” Interestingly enough for the ever so luxe and fur-trendy fashion industry, many fashionistas and bagistas are beginning to stop wearing fur as well. 

We found Cathy online when we found an article about the 2010 Handbago Awards on the examiner written by Cathy herself. Of course this bagista would be all in the know about the best of the best in handbag designs and designers for 2010! While we at Handbago obviously work online and love it, we wonder how others get involved with such career paths. Cathy puts it simply, “I prefer online journalism.” Why you ask? “The Internet has allowed journalists to cut their research time down to one tenth of what it was two decades ago.” As an aspiring journalist in the 90’s, Cathy knows all about the grueling hours involved with conducting interviews, waiting around for different sources and writing lengthy articles. She also believes that online journalism is more successful than ever to do the mere fact that “People have become busier in their everyday lives...starting off your day with a cup of coffee and the newspaper have gone by the wayside.”

Her inspiration? Mom. Cathy says of her mother, “She always integrated fashion in history and culture. She also taught me how politics and cultural movements have influenced style and fashion throughout history. I find it interesting.” Each day, working is always a different experience. Whether it be street fashion or an exciting press release, fashion is always changing and always interesting to write about. However, she admits, “I find runway shows to be the most inspirational because the styles are fresh and new; plus it is fascinating to see the garments on a model as the designer intended them to be worn.” Agreed. Nothing is more inspirational in the fashion industry than seeing art walk down the runway. 

This season, Cathy’s favorite trend in fashion is sequins. Sequins have been seen all over fashion, from hair accessories to peep toe pumps. She raves, “I think sparkle in the winter helps to create a little extra sunshine on a grey day.” Despite trends, Cathy’s choice handbag designers include Chanel for “serious business” and Balenciaga for the “ultimate casual handbag collection.” 

Excited for spring and trends to come, Cathy is sure to be oogling over runway shows on television and waiting to get her hands on the a Bottega Veneta design. We love Cathy O’Brien’s work, and we think you’ll love it too.