Art to Heart: Pamela Munson
Photography Credit: Lesley Unruh
A longtime fan of Pamela Munson’s beautiful handbags, I was over the moon when she reached out this past spring about designing a print together for an early 2022 capsule collection.
Pam wanted to create a “vibrant, punchy floral” inspired by vintage chintz fabrics and Grace Kelly-era Hollywood glamour. I am so proud of the pattern we designed together, and love how Pam incorporated it throughout the capsule, which launches on her website today!
In the weeks leading up to this launch, we interviewed Pam about her path to becoming a handbag designer, what inspires her as a designer and business owner, and what she’s looking forward to this year.
Photography Credit: Georgia Nerheim
What is your elevator pitch for your business?
Pamela Munson is a straw accessories brand inspired by classic style reminiscent of a bygone era. Each handbag is handwoven with signature design elements that propose a modern balance of strength and femininity. A good part of my childhood was spent cruising around Florida, the Bahamas, and Long Island and I draw upon this special time with family when creating each collection.
You have over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry- how did you decide to make the transition into designing handbags?
After graduating from NYU, I spent 15 years in the fashion industry in a sales and merchandising capacity at CHANEL, Oscar de la Renta and Bergdorf Goodman. I started my career in buying at a department store and then shifted to wholesale where I could focus more on one brand strategy and vision at CHANEL during a time of explosive growth. Before launching my brand in May 2017, I was the head of U.S. RTW at Oscar de la Renta which was truly my “dream job” if there ever was one. It wasn’t until my daughter Beatrix turned one that I started to question what I was doing, how I was spending my time and looking for greater meaning in my professional life. Motherhood profoundly changed me and pushed me to pursue my passions in a way that I never could have imagined. I had sketches of bags and had thought of doing something with straw for years yet never could find the courage to break away from my linear fashion career. When I decided to leave Oscar and start sampling my handbags, it was truly a jump into the unknown and I have never looked back.
When you initially reached out, you wrote that you’d love for the print to be a “punchy, exotic” floral inspired by the French Riviera, and Grace Kelly in Monaco. How did these bold, vintage-inspired concepts inspire the rest of your upcoming spring collection?
Yes, indeed - For Spring 2022, I was dreaming of a glamorous getaway. Something we all need right now. We started conceptualizing spring last year at this time - we typically design a collection one year in advance - and the vaccines were just being rolled out so it was a moment of great hope. I was looking to faraway places for inspiration. ‘To Catch a Thief’ is one of my favorite movies and it doesn’t get much more glamorous than the South of France. A sunny, 60s spirit felt timely and fresh and it is woven throughout our spring collection via the color palette, a floral applique on cotton, wider width grosgrain ribbon as well as a new handbag group featuring raffia, rattan buckles and bamboo.
Photography Credit: Georgia Nerheim
4. I loved reading that you credit your late grandmother as one of your greatest sources of inspiration- my late grandmother is one of my greatest inspirations, as well! How does her memory help guide and inspire you as a designer and a business owner?
Yes, my grandmother was a very glamorous woman and one of my first fashion icons. She loved fashion and loved to dress. I still remember her in a Pucci dress (her favorite!) and her signature orchid behind one ear. The beauty of fashion is the fantasy and escape it provides. I think it’s important to never lose sight of fashion as an art form and its transformative power.
5. What is a product or piece you’ve designed that you are particularly proud of?
What we consider our ‘Classics’ - Isla Bahia, The Gardner Tote, The Lady Bag, and The Pearl - styles that have stood the test of time and are beloved beyond a season.
6. What is your favorite part of owning a small business?
I’ve said this before and I will say it again - I love the dance between the creative and the analytical. When I worked in corporate fashion, positions were more siloed and for me it’s been a joy to do creative work professionally while applying what I learned in business. I love the dynamism of owning a growing brand - no two days are the same, there are many moving parts and we’re constantly problem solving.
7. What are you most excited about for 2022?
2022 is poised to be an exciting year with several new projects on the horizon where we’re collaborating in completely new spaces. I try to be very thoughtful about new brand partnerships - if the alignments make sense, will our clients love, what is this adding to our existing body of work. We are also debuting a new category next month with a necklace style that touches on key codes of our brand: think grosgrain ribbon and pearls.
Photography Credit: Andrew Theodorakis / Yellow House Images
Just for fun…
A traditional design and a new trend you love.
Bamboo handles! I have always adored vintage Gucci handbags and loved how Tom Ford brought them back in the 90s and we’re seeing them more and more this season. We have a new grouping of bags called ‘The Avis’ that feature handwoven raffia, rattan buckles and bamboo handles. It’s a very literal nod to one of my favorite time periods in fashion - the 60s.
Favorite item in your home or closet.
My Oscar and Chanel from when I was a corporate, working (fashion) girl. I have a closet full of clothes that I don’t wear but love to gawk at and save for my daughters.
Can’t entertain without…
My great-grandparents Saint-Louis crystal
Favorite 5pm drink
Iced Cappuccino
Go-to hostess gift
Flowers and a bag! A woman can never have too many handbags and I love shopping for other people.
Favorite Instagram accounts
@picturesisawandloved (for the inspiration), @lizlangeofficial (for celebrity photos), and @garyjanetti
Most influential/favorite artist
Henri Matisse
When it comes to inspiration, print or digital?
Digital. I have to be on my phone constantly for work, it’s both my source of news, inspiration, and way to stay connected.