CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Minkoff in her own designs (shoes by IXOS); Minkoff's Rendezvous clutch and the wedding invitations she designed ("Those are the most exciting, because I was given an insanely impossible budget," she says. "And I've always done arts and crafts."); the Morning After bag in coral; the designer in a Rag & Bone jacket in front of a photograph taken in Vietnam by a friend; Minkoff's Fling clutch.

For designer Rebecca Minkoff, 2009 promises to be a big year. There’s the relaunch of her apparel collection, which debuted to positive reviews at Fall 2009 Fashion Week. And there’s the continued expansion of her popular handbag line, which was recently featured in a window at Henri Bendel. “Rebecca constantly has her finger on the pulse of the contemporary urban consumer,” says Ann Watson, VP and fashion director of Henri Bendel. “In today’s retail climate, consumers are even more discerning about that ‘wow factor’ in an item, which for a designer should translate to impeccable quality, versatility, and reasonable pricing—three factors Rebecca undoubtedly excels at in her collection.”

But there’s also the small matter of her wedding this summer—or rather, her two weddings: a ceremony in Italy for a group of family and friends and another here in the city that will be fi lmed for the upcoming New Line Cinema documentary I Heart New York: A Love Story. “It’s about couples or single people in all states of love in New York City,” Minkoff explains. “We’re gonna pedi-cab it down to City Hall and get married, and then, I don’t know, have dinner at Freemans or something.”

From her cheery, artfully appointed apartment off Gramercy Park, filled to the brim with invitations for The Big Day, Minkoff talked to Gotham about the new line, the Morning After bag (her best-selling handbag design), and wedding dress anxiety.

GOTHAM: You had a sportswear collection until 2005, but chose to relaunch your apparel line at Fashion Week in February. What made you decide to try again?
REBECCA MINKOFF: Really it came from my retailers. I had several calling up and [asking] “When is the clothing happening again?” And I just started thinking about it—this was over a year ago…. It seemed like a good time. We were ready.

G: Tell us about the collection.
RM: It was a true collaboration between myself and [LA-based stylist] Ilaria Urbinati. Our inspiration was taken from Bob Dylan and June Carter. We literally went through hundreds and hundreds of pictures of both of them and said, Oh, we love this trend—how are we going to feminize it and update it?

G: Let’s rewind a little bit, because the thing you’re probably best known for is your handbag collection. Now how did that even get started?
RM: I was at dinner with Jenna Elfman, a family friend, and she basically said, “I need a handbag. Can you do handbags?” And I said, “Of course I can!” And I had no idea what I was doing. [Laughs] I went to this store where I used to buy leather trimmings for my apparel line and thought, How do I do this? Where do I start? They were nice enough to hook me up with a manufacturer. I made the first one and then Ilaria saw it, freaked out, and said, “I’m writing [about it] for Daily Candy.” We named it the Morning After bag.

G: Ann Watson from Henri Bendel told us that the Morning After bag is so successful because you “understand the importance of creating bags that provide multiple uses.” Where did its cheeky name come from?
RM: We were tossing around ideas and I wanted to convey, I guess, where I was at that point in my life, what was happening to a lot of people I know. It’s a perfect bag for when you stay out all night.

G: How would you describe your personal style?
RM: I’d say it’s a mix of not very high and not very low. There’s a lot of vintage, and then, mostly, my contemporaries. I love Alexander Wang, I love Rag & Bone. Nicholas K—probably half my wardrobe is by her. And then I mix in my pieces.

G: Your apartment has a lot of lovely art in it. Tell us about the photo of the girls on the bicycle. What about it is special to you?
RM: It was actually a birthday present from a friend who’s a photographer, and he was in Vietnam and took that shot. I guess what’s also special is [the fact that] in New York City when you have a birthday no one gives you presents anymore. So he was the only person at my birthday who had given something to me, and on top of it, it was a beautiful piece of art. I just really like it.

G: Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Are you designing your own dress?
RM: I’ve been asked that a lot. Before I was always, like, Of course I’m gonna design it myself! [But now] I can’t even think of what I would do. It’s like a total block.

G: That’s interesting. Why do you think that is?
RM: [Laughs] I don’t know. Maybe because I have to design 12 million bags and dresses? It’s just, like, Ugh, let me have someone else think this out for me.

G: Well, enjoy every minute—it goes so fast.
RM: I know! I’m trying to. I’m definitely trying to be, like, “Oh, I need to take it very slow and just remember it all.” Or be in the moment, I guess.