Inside LIAVELLA: How Founder Lia McBride Is Redefining Luxury Bags with Balance, Versatility & Purpose
Luxury designed to move with you – a look at LIAVELLA’s approach to thoughtful luxury bags.
In an era defined by overconsumption and fleeting trends, LIAVELLA stands apart – not just as a brand, but as a philosophy rooted in balance, intelligence, and timeless design. Founded by Lia McBride, a former tech executive whose personal journey reshaped her view of everyday essentials, LIAVELLA was born from a simple yet powerful idea: the bag you carry should support the way you live, not complicate it.
In this interview, we uncover the inspirations, challenges, and forward-thinking vision driving LIAVELLA – exploring the intersection of functionality and refined style, and how this emerging luxury label is carving its own path in fashion.
Your bags are designed to move seamlessly through a woman’s day. How much of that philosophy mirrors how you live your own life? Completely. I’ve always moved between roles; professional, traveller, friend, daughter, founder, often all in the same day. I design the way I live: adaptable, considered, and without excess.
Function is often overlooked in luxury. Why was it important for you to treat practicality as something beautiful, not secondary? Because real luxury should support you, not demand something from you. When something works beautifully, it feels effortless, and that’s elegant. I wanted function to be invisible but powerful, something you feel rather than notice.
There’s a quiet strength in LIAVELLA’s design language. How do you personally define strength in modern femininity? Strength today is self-possession. It’s knowing what you need, setting boundaries, and choosing ease without apology. It doesn’t need to be loud. It’s confident, composed, and deeply grounded.
You spent years refining details, from proportions to internal structure. At what point does a design feel ‘finished’ to you? When nothing feels like it’s trying too hard. A design is finished when every element earns its place, when removing anything would weaken it, and adding anything would distract from its purpose.
The Pillar of Strength clip feels symbolic rather than decorative. What role does symbolism play in your creative process? Symbolism gives meaning to function. The Pillar of Strength clip was designed immediately in my very first ever sketch. I wanted a daily reminder of resilience, something subtle, but deeply intentional. Design is powerful when it carries both utility and emotion.
LIAVELLA speaks to women who value ease, confidence, and discernment. Who is she to you? She’s thoughtful. She’s capable. She moves through the world with purpose, not excess. She values quality over quantity and understands that confidence often comes from simplicity.
How do you define luxury today – is it craftsmanship, time, intention, or something more intangible? It’s all of those things, but above all, it’s intention. Luxury is choosing fewer things, better made. It’s clarity. It’s feeling supported rather than overwhelmed by what you own.
Has building LIAVELLA changed your relationship with ambition and balance? Absolutely. I’m still ambitious, but my definition of success has shifted. Balance isn’t something I chase anymore – it’s something I design into my life, just like I design it into my bags.
When a woman carries a LIAVELLA bag into a demanding room or day, what do you hope it quietly gives her? A sense of calm confidence. The feeling that she’s prepared, supported, and completely herself – without having to think about it.
Beyond collections and seasons, what do you want LIAVELLA to stand for in the landscape of modern luxury? I want LIAVELLA to stand for considered living – fewer pieces, better choices, and designs that empower women to move through the world with ease, intention, and strength.
As LIAVELLA continues to redefine what modern luxury looks like, the brand remains committed to designing handbags that seamlessly blend elegance, function, and intention. Each piece reflects a belief in thoughtful consumption and lasting value – bags created not just to be worn, but to be lived in. Discover more about LIAVELLA’s vision, explore the collection at liavella.com and follow @liavellacollection.
Images courtesy of LIAVELLA
