Interview with Laptop Bag Designer, Lexie Barnes

I had the opportunity to chat with one of my favourite laptop bag designers, Lexie Barnes.  It amazes me how Lexie can be a mom to four rambunctious boys and run her own business - plus do all kinds of other projects; I find her very inspirational!  Here are a few Q&A's from Lexie ...

You have four kids and your husband is also a laptop bag designer and entrepreneur.  Plus, you're in the midst of putting together your new alternative craft and art fair, Twist. With all that going on, what's been the most challenging aspect of starting your own line? 
For the laptop bags, it's really been about pacing myself.  With all the experience I have creating bags – for my own line, as well as with Cory for Spire, the only challenge I had was narrowing all of my ideas down into these three great bags. All three are very diverse in design, yet we have accomplished our goal of providing an uncomplicated line that meets the desires of any fashion-forward person out there carrying a laptop. 

Could you share some insights into your design process? Do you start with a particular form or fabric in mind?  Or do you start with the function of a bag (e.g. Knitting, yoga, laptop carriers?)
I love problem solving.  I love to work out great pocket configurations.  I love to take simple shapes and make them work for all kinds of uses.  And I'm really passionate about the prints.  I rely on lot on my instincts there.  I don't want my bags to look like anything else out there – but I also want them to be timeless.  I tend to ignore trends and go with what inspires me in the moment.

All of your bags have somewhat unusual and seemingly personal names.  How do you decide what to name them?  Any stories to share?
Cory and I have almost as much fun naming our products, colors, and prints as we have had naming our four sons (Henry Alexander, Sebastian Avery, Montgomery Patrick, and Calvin Winslow)!  We keep lists of great names and hold on to them.  Again, I follow my gut.  If something works, it works and you just know it's right.   The Echo laptop bag has a great story... The case is a rectangle, made to hold a laptop. But the simple shape doesn't mean it has to look like everything else out there. I love that it looks different and jumps out at you.  That made me think of an echo: when you call out any old thing and the echo calls back, but somehow the echo sounds sweeter.  My bag is like an Echo – it's the same shape as other bags, but it shines out among them.

What's been your most rewarding experience as a designer?   
I love seeing my ideas come to life -especially when it feels risky.  I like trying new things and watching them evolve.  And I love making people happy.  When I meet or hear from someone who bought one of my bags and they love it. That's the most rewarding part of all of this.

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Lexie has added some new shapes and fabrics to her bag collection.  I have reviews of her new laptop sleeve, laptop backpack and all-purpose (knitting!) tote over at my Squidoo lens.  I've also updated my original review of the Echo Laptop Case.

Note: all these pics are from Lexie's site, including that HOT one of the bags on the couch.  Now THAT is product photography!!