This Is Love

in 2012 – I had just joined Female as a senior fashion writer and was tasked to chase him for his then-monthly column, and edit it. My initial sentiment was that of apprehension.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

in 2012 – I had just joined Female as a senior fashion writer and was tasked to chase him for his then-monthly column, and edit it. My initial sentiment was that of apprehension.

My Reading Room

What would this camera-shy blogger – who had transformed himself into a major authority on bags largely with his own opinion and research – be like? He was known to say the darnedest things. The cautionary “good luck” that came with my brief didn’t help. When I finally got hold of him, I found him to be irreverently odd, refreshingly direct and plain hilarious (he does say the darnedest things). But what struck me most was how the guy really knows bags. He’d expound on a product or specialist brand with professor-like wisdom and child-like enthusiasm. And whenever I insisted on more facts, he would take it upon himself to get them – and get them right.

Over the years, while the column became more ad hoc, we’ve bonded over press trips and dinners (work and non-work related). We don’t see each other that often, but let’s just say we get each other. In that same time, he’s grown progressively in his ideas and clout – all without losing his insatiable curiosity for his pet obsession.

With his blog turning 10 this year, inviting him to be guest creative director of our S/S ’17 Accessories Issue is meant to be a commemorative and creative collaboration. Together, we brainstormed story angles, art direction, and the standout bags, shoes, jewellery and watches to feature. He joined us on site at the shoots; he even took part in them. And the result, I think, perfectly reflects why we get along so well: We genuinely love what we do. Thank you, BB. – NL