The 2025 Superbowl had everything this year: A great game, an unforgettable halftime performance, and some of the best fashion we've seen at a football game (maybe ever?). This is in no short part thanks to the one and only Blue Ivy Carter, who showed up wearing a pair of denim cargo pants, a black jacket, and, notably, a leather purse by 25-year-old designer Ashley Ciriaco.
The bag has been dubbed the it girl bag by critics and magazines alike – it makes sense then that Blue Ivy would be wearing it on her arm as she quickly follows in her family's fashionable footsteps.
The Ashley Minimalist Baguette in leopard is still available for preorder, but the style comes in different patterns. There are also vegan and real leather versions of the bag, the former is made with avocado skin, according to the designer.
We needed to know more about the person behind this coveted bag, so we took some time to get to know her. Below meet Ashley Ciriaco and learn all about how it came to life.
Ashely Ciriaco: I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and later moved to the Poconos in Pennsylvania during middle school, where I stayed until I graduated high school. At 18, I moved to New York to attend Berkeley College, where I studied Fashion and Marketing.
AC: I have been passionate about fashion for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was inspired by shows like That’s So Raven and Sex and the City, which fueled my love for style and creativity. I would often trace over fashion templates to improve my sketching and designing skills, always striving to perfect my craft.
AC: The Ashley Minimalist Baguette was originally sketched in 2017 during a difficult period in my life. One night, I was inspired by the shape of the crescent moon, but the design actually started as a mistake. Instead of erasing it, I decided to embrace it and let the idea flow naturally. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I invested in a sewing machine and created a sample of the bag. After sharing it on Instagram, I received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback, which made me realize that I didn’t need to wait until after college to pursue my dream of becoming a fashion designer.
AC: Hearing people call my bag the “it-girl bag” is an amazing and inspiring feeling. That is exactly how I want anyone wearing Ciriaco to feel—confident, empowered, and effortlessly standing out.
AC: Next for Ciriaco is expanding beyond handbags and accessories into clothing. After a long wait and careful development, I am also excited to finally launch the Ciriaco Wedge Pumps in 2025. This marks a major milestone for the brand, and I can’t wait to share what’s coming next.
