I’ve always been slightly envious of Kate Rodger and her job as TV 3’s resident film buff. Who wouldn’t love to flit here, there and everywhere interviewing film stars, attending international film festivals, premieres and reviewing the latest films to hit the big screen? 

Her television show Reel Late with Kate is one of my favourites, so you can imagine my delight meeting with her and having a good old rummage threw her handbag.

So, what do you think a globetrotting woman like Kate would carry around in her handbag? Let’s find out..

Do you prefer a small or large handbag?
I’m terrible. I must have a large bag because I like to carry a lot of things around. I like to have the ability to carry a lap top or iPad if I need to.

Do you have a favourite style?
Finding the perfect handbag has been a two year long, global mission. There was this Marc Jacobs bag that I loved more than life itself but there is a point you get to where actually spending that much money on a bag is obscene - especially when you could buy a car for the same price.

I actually found my current handbag in Newmarket for a slightly more affordable price and it’s everything I could possibly want. It has to be a satchel so I can carry it across my body and have both hands free. For me it’s just the perfect handbag and it has white lining so I can find things easily.

What can’t you leave home without?
Apart from the usual, keys, phone and sunglasses, my memory stick is vital for my job and I carry it everywhere. I’ve also reached a stage in life where there are certain things I absolutely cannot leave home without and my Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is one of them. I’d be completely lost without it, especially when I’m travelling. I always carry hair ties because my hair drives me insane when it’s in my face.

Before I worked in television I was just a lip stick girl but I can’t get away with that anymore unfortunately. My MAC powder and foundation go everywhere with me and
I have about five MAC lip nourishes; they come in really cool colours and have an SPF 15 so there are always two or three in my bag. I love them!

Hand cream is also important especially when travelling and of course my iPod. Unfortunately last year I had to start wearing spectacles and the day I found out I burst into tears! I was one of those kids who always hassled my spectacle wearing family about my 20/20 vision and how amazing I am so when I had to start wearing them it was a little bit depressing! I also hate being cold, especially when I am in the cinema or on a plane so I have some sort of wrap in the bottom of my bag all year round.

My dad is a member of Rotary Half Moon Bay and when he was president he asked me to do a talk about film at one of their breakfast meetings. As a thank you gift I was given a Rotary Club torch. You may laugh, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed it. It comes everywhere with me.

What don’t you need?
I probably don’t need to carry two wallets but my niece loves playing with my wallet, so I carry two - my real one and one for her to play with. Apart from that I need everything.

What’s the most embarrassing thing to fall out of your bag?
I haven’t had any embarrassing handbag mishaps but I’ve had my whole suitcase burst open on the plane and then watch all my possessions going around the luggage carousel at LA airport for everyone to see! I was standing at the luggage carousel and the first time it went by I thought “Oh that poor person! Look at all their stuff piled on the top of that broken suitcase” then I realised it was mine! It had to go all the way around again until it reached me. It was a mountain of embarrassment!

Interview by Emma Smith

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