A Quick Q&A with Tina Craig

Tina Craig is the founder and CEO of one of the internet’s first and most influential fashion blogs. Launched in 2005,  BagSnob – as the name suggests –  started out with a focus on the fascinating world of luxury handbags. But since then has expanded out to include a full spectrum  of luxury lifestyle subjects. Over the past 13 years Craig has also become a successful brand ambassador and luxury consultant, having worked with top tier companies like Valentino, Dior, Cartier, Estée Lauder, Victoria Beckham, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. 

Here she talks about how fashion helped her make friends growing up, her culinary skills and why mothers are what inspire her everyday. 

Q : How did you first get interested in fashion?

A : I have always loved pretty clothes but fashion became a way of communication for me when I came to the US at 8 years old and didn’t speak English. Kids are not the most accepting of foreigners at that age but I wore my rainbow shirt to school and the girls all smiled at me and invited me to play hop scotch. Fashion became, and still is, my universal language.

Q : How do you keep yourself inspired? 

A : I am a serial entrepreneur and constantly need to be challenged. Launching jewelry and bag collections under my name felt like the right thing to do.

Tina Craig

Q : What has was your big break?

A : The first collaboration I ever did was with DKNY over 7 years ago. It was one of the first major collabs between a global brand and blogger. We sold out most of the styles within hours of launch on Net-aporter.com. If I had to define a big break moment, it would be that.

Q : Who inspires you?

A : Mothers inspire me. Not just working moms, but stay at home moms, single moms, etc. There is no job more difficult (or rewarding) as motherhood.

Q : Who living or dead would you love to be able to have dinner with?

A : I would love to have dinner with Oprah. Who wouldn’t?

Q : What is your favorite trip?

A : My favorite trip was to Phuket Thailand with my husband and son. We called it our Family-moon.

Q : When are you happiest?

A : I am happiest when I am in my kitchen blasting 90s music and cooking for my family with a glass of wine.

Q : What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing?

A : Challenges At home: My son just turned 13. It’s been a fine balance of teaching him independence while establishing boundaries appropriate for his age.

Challenges At work: I am working on a new beauty tech start up, putting together the deck has been the hardest thing I’ve had to take on in a long time. Also the most fun.

The BagSnob Instagram feed.

Q : What is your secret talent ?

A : My secret talent is not to secret as I often share it- I’m a trained a-capella singer, lol. My other talent is the ability to cook anything I’ve tasted once.

Q : What is your motto or the best piece of advice you ever got?

A : My grandmother taught me to treat everyone with the same respect, whether they bring you lunch or sign your paychecks.  That has taken me very far in life.

Q : What emoji do you use the most?

A : My favorite emoji? It’s a tie between LOL and Sparkles emoji

Q : What is the latest Instagram feed you decided to follow?

A : Diet_Prada.

Jessica Michault

Jessica Michault is the Senior Vice President of industry relations at GPS Radar by Launchmetrics. She is also the editor-at-large for ODDA magazine and contributes to publications like the New York Times, the Business of Fashion, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Mixte magazine.