Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/579625
TEN YEARS AFTER LAUNCHING HER WILDLY SUCCESSFUL BAG SNOB BLOG, TINA CRAIG CELEBRATES HER SNOBIVERSARY WITH SEVEN DESIGNER COLLABS. BY LINDEN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY MINDY BYRD FOR THE PHOTO DIVISION. PRODUCED BY MICHELLE AVIÑA. STYLIST CARLOS ALONSO PARADA FOR ON SET MANAGEMENT. HAIR AND MAKEUP CARMEN WILLIAMSON FOR ON SET MANAGEMENT. SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE JOULE HOTEL. "W hen I was 15, my mother gave me my first Gucci bag and matching wallet. That was it. I was done for," says Tina Craig, the petite and powerful Dallas- based fashion phenom known across the globe as Bag Snob, for her penchant for luxurious carryalls. Craig, whose relatable persona and quick wit define her as anything but a snob, catapulted to stardom when she and college bestie Kelly Cook took to the Internet 10 years ago, launching their website that first served as a conversation about bags between two friends but quickly morphed into the Snob Essentials brand, covering all realms of fashion and offering attainable handbags for sale online and through HSN. (Craig attributes the duo's early success to the fact that she owns most of the bags she reviews, unlike bloggers she dubs pajama baby bloggers: 18-year-olds at home in their PJs with little knowledge of the subject.) Craig, whose pre-Snob career included a gig as an MTV Asia VJ, also pens a weekly column for Vogue China's Mini app while prioritizing her favorite roles as a wife and mother. "My son and husband come first, but when I have to work at 2 am because I'm waiting for China to wake up, I love it." This fall, Snob Essentials celebrates its 10-year anniversary with a chic collection of iconic pieces in collaboration with seven top designers, Paul Andrew, Valextra, Vita Fede, Rag & Bone, Mark Cross, DL1961 and Derek Lam, all available at shop.snobessentials.com. Freshly home in Dallas from New York Fashion Week, where she showed the 10th Snobiversary Collection in the Lexus Lounge at Milk Studios, Craig dishes on her fashion empire, and the importance of remaining authentic. IN THE BEGINNING. Ten years ago, I'd just moved to Dallas from L.A., left the entertainment industry and had a line of jewelry that I designed. Kelly and I both had newborn babies. We became friends at the University of Southern California, where I received an international business finance degree, because of our love of Prada bags. We started the website with $20 and never put another penny in. Two months after starting, we made $400 off of Google ads that Kelly's husband, Richard, put up because he's a software engineer. We were the first blog that Barneys New York bought an ad on. Because of that, Neiman Marcus started contacting us to do affiliate ads. Today, we've made over seven figures, are ready for our first round of funding and are in talks with serious investors. SNOBIVERSARY. We wanted to celebrate the fact that we've been in business for 10 years and are still hugely relevant and setting the pace for the industry. We thought, why not get some of our favorite designers and do a very exclusive, limited-edition collection that speaks to true luxury buyers, the ladies who fly to Paris three times a year to buy. They're not there to be Instagrammed or hoping that a street-style photographer will take their photo. One of their major complaints is that from the time [they are] waiting for a very expensive bag, it's been put on social media so much that it doesn't feel special by the time they get it. That's a huge problem, and that's why I buy Hermès — I know it's not a brand that's handing out bags like candy. SNOB COLLABS. I reached out to [shoe designer] Paul Andrew first. We've become really good friends. Without any extra details, he said, "Yes, whatever it is, I'll do it for you." I think it's because for 10 years, we supported so many designers and have stayed authentic in our voice. The site is selective editorial on things we love, and this is as selective as it comes. I reached out to Derek Lam, and he said, "Absolutely!" I wanted an iconic item from each designer that showcases what they do well. I'd been begging Paul to do the platform shoes forever. With Derek, we went with the very iconic blouse he has every season. We knew everyone would love it. And who's more iconic in the United States as a bag brand than Mark Cross? Then I was in talks with Rag & Bone because I have their fedoras in literally five colors. Whenever a new color comes out, I've got to get that fedora! FALL WISH LIST. I want Prada everything for fall! And Narciso Rodriguez's Mia platform mules. I'm obsessed with the Junya Watanabe motorcycle cape and the Céline chunky loafers. I'll be carrying our Mark Cross for Bag Snob bag. THREE TIMELESS HANDBAGS. The Hermès Constance, the Prada Galleria — I love that shape — and the classic Chanel Flap bag. Everyone from an 18-year- old to an 80-year-old wants the Chanel. DALLAS SHOPPING. I love Forty Five Ten and, of course, Neiman Marcus. For vintage, I love Vintage Martini and Dolly Python. I really like shopping at Highland Park Village. It's a very unique space. I'm not a big mall person. I liking pulling up to a store I love. I love Hermès. That's my favorite store in the world. ON AUTHENTICITY. I do a lot of speeches and talks around the country. I did one recently where people asked, "How do I get to be you? How do I get to be doing what you're doing? How do I become that?" You're never going to become that if that's what you start off thinking. [Kelly and I] love bags so much. We started a journal to look at the latest bags because we didn't want to miss out. That's what I always tell people: If you want to do this, find something you love. Don't blog about something just because you think you're going to make money, because you're going to lack that authentic voice. Readers and consumers are savvy. They're smart. They know you're linking [to products] because you're going to get a commission, so it's always about authenticity. SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. I don't think I would have enjoyed the same success had I not moved to Dallas. It's a very metropolitan city, but a very small town and friendly in culture, so when people discovered I had this blog they were very supportive. I don't think had I stayed in L.A., I would have had the same support. Dallas embraced me. People were very accepting. I think that had a huge influence on my success today. To read the full interview, visit papercitymag.com. TINACRAIG Givenchy denim fur jacket $15,500, and Junya Watanabe stripe tee $175, both at Forty Five Ten. Rag & Bone leather bell-bottoms $1,095, at Rag & Bone, Highland Park Village. Lynn Ban handcuff bracelets $1,690 and $6,250, and pavé coil rings $2,800 each, all at Grange Hall. Paul Andrew for Bag Snob Bellevue platform $895, Mark Cross for Bag Snob Grace box bag $2,195, Rag & Bone for Bag Snob fedora $195, and Valextra for Bag Snob mini pouch $295, all at shop.snobessentials.com. [STYLE DNA:]