Valérie Tribes needs no introduction! Three years ago, the journalist launched the podcast " Chiffon ", which has become a must, and which deciphers our clothing habits and our relationship with fashion. More recently, Valérie has also published a book " La Base " which contains a wealth of ideas and advocates "a relaxed and liberated fashion"; a refreshing discourse on our relationship to fashion, at the opposite end of the spectrum from diktats and injunctions! Very organised on a daily basis, the journalist considers her handbag as a real ally. For Valerie, the bag is "much more than an accessory".

Hello Valerie, what bag do you use on a daily basis?

I recently received a very nice gift: I was given Celine bag number 16. It's the bag I'm using at the moment, but I'm generally unfaithful when it comes to bags. I change it very regularly. I usually keep it for a few months and then I change it. Basically, I keep the same bag for a season.

What are you carrying inside?

I am very meticulous. I organize the inside of my bags with pockets, it is divided into 3 parts:

. A huge companion wallet that holds my entire life, including my passport that never leaves my side.
. My medicine and make-up bag 

. My keys: a huge plush key ring which itself is a collection of 3 key rings. With its size, I can always find it.

My phone is usually in my pocket. I've had it stolen twice recently so I'm very careful with it.

And I also have my iPhone headphones in the bag's matching pouch.

Finally, and very importantly, I have my Smythson agenda. I choose a different color every year. It goes from September to September and this year I chose red!

This way, everything is compartmentalised in my bag. What is unclassifiable goes into the pocket that matches the bag (in general, tote bags come with a small pocket), I slip in business cards, pens ... I accumulate until the end of the season and then I sort and transfer my pockets into the next bag.

What do you never part with?

I never part with my passport, whether in Paris or abroad, I always have it with me. For me it is a symbol of freedom, "just in case", the promise of a trip.

How do you distinguish between pro and personal inside your bag?

I don't carry a computer in addition to my bag. I write everything down in a notebook. When I record my interviews for the podcast, on the other hand, I carry all my equipment (about 15 kg) in a large travel bag.

What do you take with you on holiday?

If I go to a capital like London, I keep the same bag.

If I go to Asia in the middle of winter, I have a very large totebag that I use for the plane in which I put everything I need to travel (jogging, toiletries, stole ... ) and then when I arrive, I lighten it by carrying only what I need to go to the beach for example.

Which bag do you use in the evening?

My current bag, the Celine 16, is dressy enough to go out. So I can spend the day with it and keep it if I go out. Otherwise I love clutches. I take very simple clutches in which I just slip my credit card, my passport (always!), my key ring (which I have isolated from my other keys) and my phone.

I always keep my bag with me, I find that it gives me a sense of space to keep it and I take very good care of it. It's my whole life, my bag! Losing it would be a tragedy.

A bag is not an accessory. For me, it should not be neglected. I like it simple and elegant.

As the sociologist Jean-Claude Kaufmann says , the bag is an extension of oneself. By the way, this applies to me as well: I am a Sagittarius and I love to travel. That's why I never leave my bag!

Thank you Valerie!

@valerietribes

The Chiffonpodacast

photos ©Valerie Tribes