“It’s like the icing on a cake to an outfit. [Even if you wear] t-shirts and jeans throw an awesome belt or bag on and voila!”

If only we could say life was that simple for all of us. For Jenny Yuen, handbag and accessories designer extraordinaire, life is, simply, that easy. Handbags make the outfit – they are the ultimate fashion accessory, versatile, utilitarian, a statement, and, of course, a girl’s best friends (next to shoes). Of course the handbag trend varies from season to season, month to month, each period represented by the coveted “it” bag of the moment: lusted by all now, they thrown to the wayside in its own corner in the back of the closet as a new “it” bag falls under the radar of style critics and fashion editors. One or two bags from the “it list” is necessary of course, but something classic that lasts for many seasons beyond its introduction is a necessity in every woman’s wardrobe.

Jenny Yuen’s handbags are exactly that: classic, chic, and versatile, its sizes suitable for any occasion, whether a shopping trip, a day out with the girlfriends, a commute to work, or just a run out the door. The shapes are timeless, ornamented with Jenny’s signature turn-lock closure, cute pockets, and, of course, her heart charm, finished with a fresh burst of color ranging from a minty lime, aquas, and faint pinks to camels and soft grays. These are bags that can be carried by a mother, and borrowed by her daughter, bags that are sure to last for years on out, the bags of impeccable style and craftsmanship never losing their elegance.

But why handbags? In a world where fashion spans over so much, Jenny chose this particular accessory. In an exclusive interview, her focus on bags and accessories grew from her love of what she designs. “When I was in High School I started sewing little purses and belts etc. from scarp fabric I would buy when my family would take trips to Hong Kong or Japan to visit family. Then girls at school really liked them and started buying them…I went around to little shops in my hometown and sold a few there. Then I went to college and studied panting, kind of forgot about fashion for a little while until my senior thesis project, I was like ‘I want to make a big wall of bags.’” And so she did.

And the great thing about accessories? “…They look great on every body, shape, and height, and will always fit even if you’ve had too many helpings of dessert like I tend to do!” This is why we can’t live without our bags.