Behind the label: Jennifer Mak

Born in Hong Kong and raised in New York, Jennifer Mak honed her fledgling skills creating tailor-made bags and accessories for herself and friends. A graduate of Columbia Business School, she made the bold decision to quit the corporate world and devote herself to design. Mak, who's résumé includes stints at Hermès and Loro Piana, started her eponymous collection this year.

Mak's upbringing helps her to imbue her bags with an East-meets-West aesthetic. The collection runs the gamut from sleek evening clutches and shoulder bags to more everyday satchels, hobos and totes. The materials she uses give the label a glamorous vibe without piling on the bling.

her first line employs exotic skins such as python, ostrich, stingray and crocodile, with variants suitable for day and night use. The Madeleine cocktail clutch (below right; HK$4,875) in python looks great in black and emerald, and comes with a detach-able chain. Our favourite, the Tina clutch (below left; HK$7,800), is a blend of python and soft lambskin woven leather, its black and white tones blended with gold and silver accents. Finally, the Sofia shoulder bag (above; HK$17,063), with a burnt orange ostrich exterior and crocodile handle, would be a great bag for the beach.