ARE Studio founder, Cecilia Bordarampe, interviewed and photographed in the new ARE Studio showroom and offices for Atelier Doré. See the excerpt below, and read the full style story at Atelier Doré.

1/ Can you describe your style in three words? 

Understated, uncomplicated, refined. 

2/ Your company, Are Studio, designs bags that are equal parts minimalistic and elegant. How does that translate into the way you dress? Do you choose a bag to compliment your outfit or do you dress around your bag? 

In both my personal style and bag design, I try to pare down whenever possible, letting materials and forms speak for themselves, staying away from extraneous details that could overpower the whole. Keeping within a mostly neutral palette makes it easy to create harmonious pairings along with bags.  As Are Studio has evolved over the seasons, I’ve noticed a nice hint of color creeping into the colorways, as well as in my personal style, but it’s always a muted shade that still can be versatile. 

I’m a creature of habit, so on the day-to-day I wear one of two tote bag styles - Barrel or Revista (and sometimes both when I have a lot going on!) because they generally fit everything I need to go from home to studio and run errands throughout the day - function is ultimately my first consideration. For an evening out, however, I typically choose my bag last and see where it balances other elements of what I’m wearing - color, shape, size, mood… sometimes I don’t feel like carrying a bag, so I reach for our Post wallet, which I use as a clutch.

...continued at Atelier Doré.

Story by Veronica McCarthy