We are so excited to share this special installment of our Journal series with you. Valerie and Cecilia, our founder & designer, originally met at a trade show in 2017 where they were each showing their early collections. Over the years, they’ve navigated all the ebbs and flows that come with owning independent brands and have become friends and champions of one another’s work in the process. LoQ  and Are Studio have existed side by side, in many ways, and are a part of a cherished & tight knit community of women owned brands here in Los Angeles. We have loved often styling our lookbooks and editorials with LoQ shoes because they compliment our vision so seamlessly, adding a simple yet modern articulation to any look. We are proud to share an ethos oriented around mindful, slower design that prioritizes quality & longevity. 

We recently visited with Val at home to take some portraits of her with her favorite Are Studio bags. Over coffee and cookies, we caught up about what is on the horizon at LoQ, newness with her daughter Gia, and Summer plans. The images we created on this sunny morning are personal favorites. Valerie’s warmth and generosity are palpable, and her keen sense of style and eye for detail inspire us endlessly. We are grateful for her friendship, and hope you enjoy reading her thoughtful responses to our ongoing Journal series. 

 

How does choosing your bag for the day and its contents tie into your daily ritual?

My wardrobe has always been about comfort but more so now as a mother I go for bag options that bring ease to my day. I'm partial to the Bow Bag and Baby Jane because of their buttery soft quality. They can be worn across the body for a hands free look and then can transition to a baguette bag for an evening fit. The zipper on both bags keep my goods secure - you'll always find Lesse lip balm, a coral lipstick, my curry colored wallet from LoQ and traces of crumbs from Gia's snacks on the go.

What are the non-functional/meaningful things that you carry with you on a daily basis? (mementos, good luck charms, personal affects, etc.)

My Building Block keychain bracelet with huge wood spheres just because it’s whimsical and doubles as a fun toy for Gia to play with.

What expressive function does your bag have for you?

I love the Bow Bag and depending on the way you knot, it can be artfully draped on the body and adds a sculptural element.

How does your bag (read: shape, features, size, material, etc.) inform the way you carry yourself, the activities you choose to do, the way you engage with your surroundings?

I like to feel nimble and not restricted to one activity for the day and my ARE bags allow me to move from different environments from playtime, hiking or to a dinner date just by adjusting the strap placement.

Choosing a bag can be an act of expansion or a pairing down to essentials. Which one of these do you gravitate toward (and why)? When thinking about this, do notions about security/agency/independence come to mind? If so, how?

I gravitate toward smaller bags because they restrict excess and help me pare down to what I really need for the day.

What shapes, features, materials, textures, and/or functions are inspiring your creative process currently?

We are always inspired by travel and how it influences the way we dress, super soft leather for comfort and woven uppers for flexibility and movement - designs that can move with us through our journey.

As a designer who has released bag styles in the past - what were the challenges in designing a bag versus shoes, and what were the most rewarding aspects?

We love being able to translate our vision into a sculptural object where we aren't limited to sizing and fit, though the cost of production is much more of an investment in material and molds.

Tell us about your work - any new projects or collaborations on the horizon that have you inspired & looking forward?

While we started with handmade footwear, we have evolved into curating lifestyle objects for the home. We can't wait to share more of our development into homewares that aim to enrich the home with artful heirlooms.

Any Summer plans ahead? If so, what bag (or bags!) do you plan on bringing and how do you choose what bag to pack for travel?

We are traveling to Copenhagen and Greece this Summer and will definitely bring my Baby Jane because it goes with everything. I try to travel light and wear things on repeat.

Share a taste and a sound that are on your mind.

Warm sand between toes, the taste of summer ripe Heirloom tomato with sea salt flakes and good olive oil, and the sound of Matia Bazar "Stasera...Che Sera!"