STYLESTAR: BAGS BY CHILLI

Named as one of People Magazine's 50 most beautiful and a founding member of Grammy award-winning-multi-platinum girl group (with over 33 million albums sold worldwide) TLC, Chilli is quite accomplished!

She is adding to her ever expanding list of accolades and accomplishments with the launch of her company, Bags by Chilli! Inspired by her adorable son, Chilli's personalized photographic handbags affords customers the opportunity to showcase their loved ones, hobbies, artwork and their design skills!

These bags are super cute; I've already started collecting my favorite pics of niece and nephews. Keep reading for my interview with Chilli!

StyleChile: What are your fashion influences?
Chilli: I am most impressed with custom made items, like the bags that I make and I also love shoes. One of my favorite shoe designers is Giuseppe Zanotti.

StyleChile: How do you manage to stay so fashionable?
Chilli: By watching Stacey and Clinton on What Not To Wear :)

StyleChile: Tell us how we can buy Bags by Chilli!
Chilli: You can visit www.bagsbychilli.com to select the bags you want, different design options for each bag and directly upload your photo to us. Also, when you create an account you can start a wishlist so that you can give your family and friends ideas about what you would like for gifts. Christmas is right around the corner you know ...

StyleChile: How did you come up with the idea for Bags by Chilli?
Chilli: I was given bags with my son's pictures on them as a gift a few years back. I wanted more bags, with different pictures and in different sizes. Plus, people were ALWAYS asking me where I get my bag from and I got tired of not having an answer to give them. Finally I said, okay not having an answer is not cool--let me do this, let me do my own thing.

StyleChile: What types of bags do you offer?

Chilli: We have everyday bags, lunch boxes, laptop bags, small hand bags for when you are on- the-go and large handbags (when you need to carry your whole life with you) and the list goes on and on.

StyleChile: What is your target market?
Chilli: We don't really target one group. We have a large collection, something for everybody INCLUDING MEN. We have a messenger bag and an awesome toiletry bag for men. A really cute backpack and small purses for young girls/teenagers. We have a beach bag for your cruise goers, a workout bag for your health enthusiasts, a baby bag for new mommies, lunch boxes for kids and so on. We really tried to be inclusive.

StyleChile: What are your plans for Bags By Chilli in the future?
Chilli: We are going to expand our collection to offer a larger selection of shapes, materials, and design options. We are still in the development stage with those, but they are coming!!

StyleChile: Thanks Chilli!

Special thanks to Nirvana and Chilli's little sister, Justice, for making this possible! Thanks to faithful reader, Kelly, for the heads up!