Kasia Dietz is a Paris-based handbag designer and one of many Americans who has found herself in the world's most romantic city pursuing her fashion dreams. She recounts how she came to create her namesake handbag label on her blog Love in the City of Lights.


"Several years ago, between a demanding career and a busy social life, I took one of my creative ideas and materialized it. Literally. I began to print fabric combining my affinity for minimalist designs with prints my mom created in the 1970s. I bought a sewing machine and voilà! Well, not exactly that easy but from those first handbag prototypes, that I so aptly titled 'wearable art', reversible no less, my designing life took off. With the help of a good friend, we put together a site and before I knew it I was being interviewed by the Japanese in New York City's Bryant Park. They loved my hand-printed canvas bags for their uniqueness and versatility, especially the frog bag.

"In time I expanded my collections to include totes and clutches, the hamptons collection, and began to sell in boutiques all over NY and California. Since then, provence, inspired by my travels in France."

"Since moving to Paris, the path towards designing has not been an easy one. I faced one hurdle after another, namely finding a manufacturer. Oh, the adventures I have had in this quest! And all of this in a language not my own. Frustrated but determined, I bought another sewing machine and got to work, inspired by my travels and my new life in Europe. Prototypes were created and many an afternoon was spent in the garment districts between Montmartre and the Sentier. As luck or can I say karma would have it, one of my new 'friends in the fabric world' Jean-Claude, passed along a few names of local manufacturers, and I followed my instincts. With all the American optimism I could muster, I began production.

"Many weeks, language lessons and production schedule revisions later, I am very happy and excited to reveal my latest reversible handbag creations: The Tribal Collection, inspired by places I have yet to visit; and the Retro Collection, designs that remain timeless. All highlighted by the most beautiful backdrop of all, Paris."