Gregory Parkinson Photo: Courtesy of Gregory Parkinson

Designer Gregory Parkinson loves a beach. And rather fittingly, his debut collection of bags—set to hit the sales floor at Barneys any day now—was designed with sun, sea, and sand in mind. “I think it’s really important to escape reality once in a while,” says the L.A.-based designer, who touched down from a sojourn in Turks and Caicos earlier this week. “I think there’s an optimism that comes from that first vacation, before it really starts to heat up.” Tapping into an archive of kaleidoscopic prints, his beach totes collage all the richly patterned fabrics he’s sourced over the years, which is also, Parkinson insists, a welcome exercise in sustainable fashion. “Nothing,” he says, “should go to waste.” For those of us in colder climes, Parkinson’s brightly hued designs are a warm reminder that spring is just around the corner.