Who doesn’t love spotting a Judith Leiber evening clutch – or a fanciful minaudiere – on the red carpet? We certainly do, and to celebrate our CFDA Loves the Red Carpet shop at Fred Segal on Sunset Boulevard, we asked Judith Leiber EVP and Chief Creative Officer Jana Matheson a few important questions on the awards season.

What do you love the most about the Awards season?

Red carpet is so much fun, now more than ever.  In our world of athleisure all the time, casual attire is appropriate almost everywhere.  So it’s really a treat to see people pulling out all of the stops, and dressing up. Not to mention, I love an excuse to sit in front of the TV and catch up on all of the movies before the award shows!

Looking back, which is your all-time favorite red carpet moment and what do you love about it?

At the Oscars in 2006, Michelle Williams was nominated for Brokeback Mountain. She was wearing yellow Vera Wang with an incredible vintage black diamond Fred Leighton necklace, and a Judith Leiber clutch. The look was elegant, edgy, and still looks really cool today.  She also had Heath Ledger on her arm.

This awards season, who is the one celebrity you think would look amazing in your designs?

Saoirse Ronan –she has a cute modern sense of style.  I’d like to see her carrying a bag. It always finishes the look.

What is the favorite item from your collection in the CFDA Shop? What was the inspiration behind this particular look and is there a special story behind it?

My absolute favorite piece in the CFDA shop is the resin “Specchio” clutch. As I was designing, my goal was to add a clutch to the collection that had the effect of carrying a giant gem.

This style was developed with an incredible group of Italian artisans who were able to create a new process for the project that layers multiple materials and polishes to create a mirrored gemstone effect. Specchio is now part of our classics collection, and has been a red carpet wardrobe staple in every color of the rainbow.