Shopping with. . . Accessories Designer Lauren Merkin

Back in 2002, Lauren Merkin, then a recent graduate of Columbia Business School, had a job all lined up and a few weeks of time to kill before it began. Having always been a crafty and creative person, she decided to try making a handbag just for fun. The result of her handiwork was a canvas tote that drew attention from friends and retailers alike. After a few bags she sold through stores in her neighborhood flew off the shelves, she decided to pass up her corporate gig and give entrepreneurship a try.

Merkin hit it big quickly with the Louise clutch, a now-signature style that can still be seen on Saturday nights everywhere in droves—always in the hands of the most stylish girls out on the town. At present, her handbag collection is sold in over 300 boutiques and specialty stores around the world and is coveted by celebrities like Diane Lane, Eva Longoria and Carrie Underwood. Merkin continues to update the Louise with various fabrications and has added a variety of other clutches as well as handbags and small leather accessories.

“Our goal," Merkin says of her namesake company, "is always to create a classic, functional, feminine shape that will endure for years. New designs emerge from many places—a function we want to fill, an embellishment or detail that we want to use, or even an amazing material. It’s really important to me that my bags are versatile and wearable for multiple seasons.”

Lauren Merkin Spring Handbags: Tess ($325), Astrid ($395), Iris ($295)

Of the spring collection, she tells us: “We played a bit more with embellishments this spring, but in the understated style that the brand is known for. Our zipper detailed bags—Allie, Ava and Lucy—have gotten an incredible response. We also updated the Diana with studded detail for our April delivery. This spring, we featured a lot of color, but made sure the collection is still really wearable. One of my absolute favorite leathers is the rainbow serpent [seen on the Astrid, above center]. When I saw it, I knew instantly that we had to make it a feature of the collection. It's so unique, colorful, a bit wild, yet it's also incredibly neutral and wearable.”

Tatum ($325), Ava ($295), Diana ($195)

eBay has longed served as a resource for Merkin, both personally and professionally. “I have used eBay over the years for everything from design inspiration to a sold out item I cannot live without (I still have a Chloe blouse from 1999 that I found on eBay after it was sold out in stores), but I probably use it most often for furnishing my apartment," she says.  “I am drawn to Danish Modern furniture and find so many great sources on eBay that are usually more affordable than what I can find around New York. I also think lighting is a particularly difficult item to find at retail, so I scour eBay for unique pieces.”

Lauren Merkin's eBay Wish List

Roll over items for details

Walnut and Brass Lamps

“These have an elegant shape and I love the brass detailing.”

(buy it now price, $475)

Vintage 14K Gold Watering Can Charm

"I am starting a charm bracelet for my niece, Pearl, that I will add to each birthday. She lives in Montana and they all love to garden, ski and fish, so these would be perfect for her.”

(current bid, $31)

Vintage Feedsack Fabric

"I love antique linens. A friend got me into vintage feedsacks, which come in so many great prints."

(starting bid, $9.99)

Danish Modern Teak Dining Chairs

"I found my dining chairs on eBay and recovered them in a fabric from our collection to modernize their look."

(buy it now price, $1,795)

Vintage Large Frame Sunglasses

"I love sunglasses with unusual details."

(sold for $110)

Vintage Gold Tone Belt

"I have found some great belts on eBay over these years. Lately, I am liking skinny belts."

(winning bid, $2.75)

Vintage 14K Gold Moveable Fish Charm

A charm fit for Pearl's growing charm bracelet.

(starting bid, $178)

Antique Sewing Machine Table

“I still have the Singer sewing machine I got for my 11th birthday. I would love to have an antique table like this for it. I would probably have a piece of carrera marble cut for the top instead of the wood.”

(buy it now price, $149)

Carrera Oversized Sunglasses

Another pair of unique vintage sunglasses.

(current bid, $15.75)

Antique Feedsack bag

Another feedsack find: "I even found one embroidered with LM!"

(buy it now price, $58.00)

Baroque Serving Spoon

"I am fortunate to have inherited my grandmother's silver. Its Wallace Grand Baroque from the '30s and quite ornate, but I love it juxtaposed against my mostly modern taste. I use it daily and eBay is a great place for me to find pieces that my collection is missing."

(sold for $55)

Vintage 14K Gold Ski Lift Charm

Another great charm for Merkin's niece, the budding skier.

(starting bid, $155)

Mid Century Danish Credenza

"This credenza is a great functional piece. It can work in a dining room or as a TV stand. And extra storage is always a plus in NY! I love how the doors recess."

(current bid, $250)

Vintage Feedsack Fabric 2

(winning bid, $12.03)