Designer Spotlight: LaLucca

I had the pleasure of talking with the creative mind behind LaLucca, Laura Pimentel. Along with her use of high-quality materials and superior attention to detail, Pimentel creates beautiful handbags and accessories. Last year, she created a new concept for her bags, and with the help of artist Aleksander Kirilov, the ArtBag was born. The bags are like wearable art, each with their own unique print and pattern on the leather. We talked more about her and Aleksander’s creations, her Latin inspirations and her favorite new bag.

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How did you end up designing your own handbag line?

I studied Interior Design in Santo Domingo and then lived in Barcelona for a year where I got a master’s degree in Interior design. After working in that field for a year realized it wasn’t my passion. I loved making jewelry and came to Miami looking for a jewelry design program and didn’t find anything. Later I found the accessory design program at the Miami Arts Institute. Immediately fell in love with the handbag design class. For my final project I created a handbag line and won the accessory category at the final showing during Miami Funkshion week. And that’s when it all started!! After that we won Best accessory designer during Miami Fashion Week and Nominated for best accessory emerging Designer by the Fashion Group International.

Have you always been influenced by fashion?

Since I was a little girl, I was always going through fashion magazines. I really don’t know why I didn’t go for the fashion in my studies from the beginning but I guess it was destiny.

How was it working with Aleksandar Kirilov on your Art Bags?

Aleksandar is a great artist. I’ve been a huge fan of his work for years now, his art is very colorful, intriguing and with attention to details. You look at his paintings and every time you find a different element you didn’t see before. The same details he applies on the artwork for the artbags.

What is it like to see your designs in magazines like Lucky and Vogue Latinoamerica?

[It] is very exciting, we’ve worked so hard on our brand and at the end seeing the response of our customers is gratifying.

Do you get a lot of your inspiration from Latin/Spanish culture?

You can definitely see the influences through the use of rich bold colors. There is inspiration from everything that surrounds us!

What’s a typical day for you?

Starts with the computer! Checking emails! Go to the showroom. Daily meetings. Design for new collections. When you’re so busy the hours fly, sometimes I wish for more hours in a day! Then go home and try to disconnect.

What are three things you can’t live without?

My Blackberry, My Computer and TV

Ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

With a successful LaLucca with different products we have on the works.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a designer?

To have patience with people around you, and that at the end things don’t always go your way, but you have to fight and work hard to make it happen.