FOUNDER, Creative Director, Author
Monica Botkier is the quintessential New Yorker.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, the city has been, and continues to be, her endless source of inspiration. Growing up with a passion for the arts, Monica studied photography throughout her schooling at New York University. She began her career working in fashion as a photographer, shooting various campaigns and editorials for Mademoiselle, Lucky, Surface, and Paper Magazines. Monica fell in love with the bag silhouettes while on set. Before long, she found herself sketching her dream bag, and in early 2003, Monica created Trigger in New York’s iconic Garment District. A bag inspired by her busy, downtown lifestyle, the Trigger bag gained an immediate cult following and became known as ‘the bag that launched an industry’.
Monica’s vision for the Botkier brand created a niche in the market that was previously a void: an approachable designer brand.
Botkier was the first independent designer accessories brand, helping to define the contemporary handbag market as we know it today. In 2007, Monica was recognized for her contributions to the world of accessory design and became a member of the esteemed Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Monica believes that it is essential to align her design talent with charitable organizations.
Monica teamed up with Michelle Trachtenberg, Joy Bryant, Lake Bell and Minnie Driver to design pieces to benefit Oxfam. Monica is also very proud of her collaboration with the legendary artist John Baldassari curated by Jill Brienza, in support of the art organization Independent Curators International. Mentoring and speaking with young female entrepreneurs to share the unique road she’s traveled continues to be a source of inspiration and motivation.
In 2011, Monica was chosen through the CFDA and Luxottica to create the Botkier’s first pair of sunglasses for the Vogue Eyewear brand. Monica worked closely with the CFDA to spread the ‘You Can’t Fake Fashion’ message and in 2012 created limited edition bags for the CFDA and EBAY, which debuted at New York Fashion Week.
Botkier has branched into shoes, small leather goods and jewelry and more celebrity collaborations like the Botkier X CocoRocha collection. Monica’s designs continue to embody luxury through custom detailing, innovation, and quality, while simultaneously focusing on functionality. Monica has also used her photography and art direction background to create and shoot many of Botkier’s campaigns.
A favorite among celebrity fashion icons, Botkier bags and shoes have been spotted on many of the most recognized women in the world:
Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Beyonce, Jessica Alba, Rihanna, Coco Rocha, Naomi Watts, Bella and Gigi Hadid to name a few. Botkier has been featured in the pages of ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Marie Claire, Refinery29, The Coveteur, TheCut, NY Times and VOGUE.
In addition to the outward success of Botkier, Monica has also been recognized by her peers for her contributions in the world of accessory design and business leadership. Such accolades include being honored as the Iconoclast Recipient from the Independent Handbag Designer Awards in partnership with InStyle Magazine.
In 2018, Monica sold and exited Botkier New York. Monica was CEO and Creative Director for 15 years, and today uses her vast experience and success working with many brands across the contemporary and luxury spectrum advising on brand building, marketing and business strategy. Today she consults with companies who seek her expertise, knowledge, creative direction, and passion…
Monica can also add author to her list of accomplishments. Having authored a coffee table book with Harper Collins, Handbags A Love Story was a labor of love and the perfect bookend to celebrate an iconic career in the world of fashion accessories.
In 2023 Monica co-founded Chosenwoven with Olga Kapustina (cult fave dress designer from the aughts) an eco luxury undergarment line. It is Merino based, yes wool!
Seriously soft, luxe, sustainably sexy, eco undies. Wool is completely underutilized in fashion plus it’s zero waste. We’ve developed sophisticated knits to support the body, rendering the undergarments plastic free. Most underwear and athletic apparel is based in petroleum and plastic. Recycled water bottle brands are actually worse as they shed micro plastics into the water supply with less stable materials, that is not the way. Chosenwoven is good for your body and the planet. Wool is a miracle material that’s been here since the dawn but paired with innovations in knitting technology, the performance beats everything else out there. Chosenwoven is leading the evolution away from spandex, plastics and fossil fuels in our intimates and beyond. What a perfect pivot!