Tote Sweet

Reptilian Fendi shoulder bags are fine, but what about a young working woman trying to come up in the world?

Ask Anita Ko and she’ll pick up a periwinkle organza evening bag off the floor of her utilitarian downtown Los Angeles studio, put it on her shoulder and sashay across the room to demonstrate that chic and practical aren’t mutually exclusive.

A little more than a year ago, the 23-year-old accessory designer launched her Trash Bags line with her friends in mind; this year she expects sales to reach $1 million. “There’s not a lot available in the medium-priced handbag range,” she says. “They’re either $20 and gross or $300 and not worth it.”

Ko’s inspiration came from bolts of Herculon, an industrial-strength material she stumbled upon at a Los Angeles fabric store. This ‘70s vintage fabric in bright plaids and stripes was once used to line the interiors of RVs. “It’s funky and sturdy. The colors are great and it’s durable,” she says.

Ko’s Trash Bags ($40 to $80) are joined by her Anita Ko collection--structured handbags and dressy evening clutches that are upscale with attitude. For Ko, the line is, shall we say, a brand new bag.