A while ago Irene was in our TGIF section and we asked her about her jewelry line Casa Jewelry which has been on sale for two weeks at De Bijenkorf in The Hague, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam and at Casa Jewelry. Besides her jewelry, Irene also has beautiful bags that we were very eager to see. And yes, we were also allowed to peek inside.

 How many bags do you have?

I think I have at least 20, but I recently gave a few to my mother. She then turns them into a little shop at home and sells them. They are mainly bags that I bought in the past, which I suddenly no longer find beautiful.

 What is your favorite?

This Chanel bag. A limited edition. I've never regretted it, even though it was a chunk out of my wallet. It is timeless and therefore something I can pass on. I promised my daughter that she would get it. She can already look forward to that.

 Does it go back in the dust bag after you've used it? Or do you throw it in a corner of the room?

I always hang it in the same spot in my bedroom. The doorknob by my nightstand. It's a kind of ritual.

 Is the contents of your bag a chaos or do you know exactly what is in which compartment?

I know exactly what is in which compartment. Very organized.

 What can’t be missing in your bag?

I think the basic things you always need when you leave the house. Credit card, debit card, keys, etc. Wherever you are in the world, if something happens, it's always nice to have your credit card with you. It's a safe feeling. What’s also fun to mention is that I always carry a tweezers with me. Sometimes you find yourself in places where the lighting is suddenly very good and you see hairs that you didn't notice at home in front of the mirror. Then a tweezers comes in handy.

What does a bag do for a woman, do you think?

I think that aside from being practical, it also says something about your femininity and elegance. A bag is also an accessory. I do hate large bags. Everyone has their own taste, but I associate large bags with grocery shopping. I find small bags more graceful.

Is there a bag on your wishlist?

No, not really. I always wanted a small Chanel bag, but I already have that. So my dream has actually already come true. However, there was a little accident with it. I was in a restaurant and accidentally placed my bag on a candle, which has now burned a hole in the back. The waiter ran with my bag to the kitchen to extinguish it. Fortunately, you can't see that when I wear it, but still a shame.

 Suppose you can only have one bag. Which one would it be?

Then I would go for the Hermès Birkin Bag in dark blue. I find it very chic.