If you've been anywhere near a movie theater in the past 30 years, you've likely seen Colleen Atwood's brilliance at work. You might not have known the name behind Velma Kelly's vampy wardrobe in Chicago, or Johnny Depp's loony getup as The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, or the elaborate Japanese dress in Memoirs of a Geisha, yet Atwood won Oscars for her costume design in all three films—and has earned seven more nominations over the years. We've already caught glimpses of her work in the much-anticipated Into the Woods, out this Christmas. And yet, while Atwood clearly remains hard at work creating some of Hollywood's most memorable costumes, she recently decided it was time, in addition, to try her hand at another realm of design.After dipping her toes in fashion design with a Snow White and the Huntsman-inspired line for HSN earlier this year, Atwood is diving in with a line of eponymous luxury handbags this month, an idea she says has long since been in the works. With roots in traditional fashion before her career in film surged forward, Atwood set out, she explained to us this summer, to create a collection that reflected her idea of a perfect bag.

And though she's known for costuming notoriously colorful characters, her inaugural line of purses—which retail from $2,200 to $6,200—is decidedly restrained in aesthetic. However, her acute focus on detail is apparent: With attention to subtleties like texture, luxe skins, and chic but easy silhouettes, Atwood makes a smart debut (though we shouldn't have expected anything less). And as she revealed when we spoke with her, handbags are just the beginning.See what Atwood had to say about working her way up, how her costumes did play a role in the design of her bags, and the surprising area of fashion that she sees herself tackling next.I worked in fashion, but I worked more in the sales side of fashion than in design. I was an assistant buyer for a department store back in the '70s and the early years of Saint Laurent. And I used to have a lot of private clients that I bought for. So, it was kind of like styling back then. It was before that business was invented.I wanted to be a painter when I was a kid.

And then, I had to make a living. I had a child when I was in high school, so I kind of had that work phase in my life. When she finished high school, I moved to New York and started working in the film business, which is what I kind of wanted to do for a long time, but with my life it was not really happening. So I started at the bottom and worked my way up fast. But luckily, I had the fashion experience prior, which really helped me in the film business: being organized, knowing what a budget was, and also how to fit clothes—because it's really the key to somebody looking good and how something fits on her body.I've always kind of wanted to do it, but I'm so involved in film design. Now, I finally feel like I'm in a position to do both. I'm like in my third life doing this thing! And also, in the business now, it's possible to do a capsule collection here and there, which is a different way of design and brand building. So, the handbag thing is something that I've always wanted, like really the perfect bag.

I've never found it, and I've bought a lot in my life. I'm exposed to a lot of vintage bags, which I love, because they're all handmade. Working on vintage period films you kind of feel a luxury that is here today, but it is less present than it was then. And the kind of craftsmanship of all the old bags is sort of in a few bags [currently], with as much love to detail as I tried to put into these.I'd like to for sure. I don't know what area I'd like to go into, but I have some ideas. everki beacon laptop backpack 18I could go into underwear, which I think needs a lot of help. camelbak backpack loboAnd I could go like old-school, foundation-y, beyond Spanx, like another level of that. lp backpack n3I love that stuff. dakine zuri backpack

I think it's so beautiful. And also into clothing, but not very specific.I can't give it up! It's too much fun. As long as you keep on, one thing leads to another. You find new materials, new ideas.Pvc WoodenWooden ArchPvc Pipe WoodPaint Pvc PipePvc IdeasPvc Crafts IdeasPvc Pipes IdeasDiy Pvc Pipe IdeasInvolving PvcForwardMaking PVC look like wood. This would be amazing for props of any kind!When you’ve got three Oscars and a CFDA Award to your name (and it just so happens to be the first one ever given to a costume designer) among other accolades and the respect of an entire industry, we think that you’ve earned the luxury of taking it easy. But for Colleen Atwood, Hollywood’s go-to costume designer, that wouldn’t be in her MO. Instead of just resting on her celluloid laurels, the designer is taking her talents to the street. Thanks to L.A.’s Citizens of Humanity, Atwood — whose resumé includes Memoirs of a Geisha, Chicago and just about every single Tim Burton creation — is set to premiere a new line of luxe leather bags this fall, giving us all a chance to get in on the Tinseltown sparkle.

“I have always loved beautiful leather objects, especially the detail that goes into designing them both inside and out,” Atwood told Vogue UK. “I took part in a philanthropic video series with Citizens of Humanity last year and when they asked me what I would like to do next and I told them about wanting to design a handbag line. They offered to help me bring it to life and I jumped at the opportunity.” In addition to the video series, Atwood helped design a tee-shirt with Citizens of Humanity last year, with proceeds going to charity. Mikhail Baryshnikov and Christy Turlington Burns were also in on the action, but for the new handbag line, Atwood’s making it a solo act. And while über-luxurious leather bags might not be what you’d expect from Citizens of Humanity, Atwood couldn’t be happier with her partner. After scouring the world for inspiration, including Japan and Italy, she got an inside look at the premium materials and craftsmanship that go into making a great bag.