Back in 2005, when Sandie Praux, who´d been an actress for ten years, had decided to start her own label GREAT BY SANDIE, it was not an unexpected move from someone who grew up surrounded with fashion-oriented relatives, with both her mother and grandmother being fashion designers and bag lovers themselves.

Once the label was unveiled in the most prestigious Department stores in France, such as the Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché and a growing number of French boutiques, it was met with absolute success.
Across the world, the label was equally met with success and Department stores including Baycrews in Japan, Bergdorf in NYC, Fenwick in London, and ABC in Lebanon counted among the first who believed in the brand.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE GREAT BY SANDIE STYLE?

When I think about a bag design, I always think of it as being practical, feminine and useful.
I would not say that there is a GREAT BY SANDIE style but different elements encompassing styles, which contribute to create an attitude.
Style is mainly behaviour and a way of being yourself?
Oversized, loose volumes, soft and supple touches are among my favourites. GREAT BY SANDIE style as a kind of effortless style with ready-to-wear bags designed for an easy everyday style completely in tune with the city girl.

My latest SS 2011 collection was mainly inspired by a Californian trip somewhere along the exceptional 66 Road with warm colours reminding me of places between Los Angeles and Monument Valley, sand, heat, dust and at the end of the trip the Pacific ocean, with navy and coral tones.

HOW DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION? WHAT ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?

Rock and Roll attitudes are inspiring me I seek to convey them in a bag design. A Bohemian touch, for a more relaxed style also counts among my favourites trends.

The exclusive atmosphere of large cities has always been quite impressive to me. I like to observe active women in big cities?they are constantly running from one point to another, switching from personal life to business, going from strength to weakness...There is something négligé chic in their behaviour and look.
When I take a glance outside in Paris, New York, London or Tokyo, at those women in their environment, I am trying to guess their types of lives from a detail, from their way of moving, of walking, and there is this common feeling in whichever city you find yourself, there is a part of urban poetry?an undeniable charm.

My bags are meant for women who really make use of them in real life.

Great By Sandie Pictures