This beautiful bag belongs to an equally beautiful girl named Nina Nicolai Tompkins. She currently lives in London where she studies International Business and is also doing a short internship at Christie’s. Nina feels completely at home in London; besides shopping, she visits art galleries and occasionally strolls through Hyde Park. At the end of this year, Nina will graduate and then plans to pursue her master's in New York. Nina, go get them, girl!

How many bags do you have?

Currently about 8 (designer) bags.

Tell me, what is the story behind this bag? Where, when, and how?

I received this 3.1 Phillip Lim backpack for my birthday from my mother last winter. Backpacks suddenly became very trendy again and are also super practical for studying. A MacBook even fits in it. I used this practical argument to get the bag…

How do you handle your bag? Are you careful with it or do you throw it in a corner?

A bit of both, to be honest. On one hand, I always try to put them back in their dustbag after use and store them neatly in the closet, on the other hand, I’m also quite easygoing and don’t mind using it for my groceries. I try not to be too stingy, because you also want to make full use of it and eventually, you want to add something new to the collection every now and then.

What about the contents? Is it a mess or is everything neatly organized?

The contents are reasonably organized. I usually use this 3.1 Phillip Lim for studying, so pen, planner, and my iPad mini go with me. Also some makeup items, a cardholder, my phone, a book, and sometimes a piece of clothing or an extra pair of shoes (then I have to stuff it in…).

What do you always carry in your bag?

Lip gloss and lip balm in every bag, that’s my addiction. But also my cardholder with payment cards, driver's license, and university card, keys, and phone are in there (and something sweet, because I’m always hungry).

What do you think are the perfect qualities of a bag?

In general, I like a color, so it can be nice and striking, so it really is an accessory that adds something to your entire look. Additionally, I also find it important that the bag doesn’t have a loud label. So not modest in color and model, but modest and elegant in label.

And lastly: is there one on your wishlist? Which one?

The Dior Lady Bag is definitely on the wishlist. But there’s much more! The Bvlgari Serpenti Forever, the Launer Traviata, the Hermès Constance shoulder bag, and so on, haha.