Going from lawyer to bag lady doesn't sound very glamorous—but in Christina Yu's case, it was a très chic move. As a litigator in Hong Kong, Yu always had an eye for design. When she relocated to Vietnam in 1995, she combined her flair for 'tote' couture' with the craftsmanship of local artisans, and two years later Ipa-Nima was born. Now sold through heaps of high-end retailers, Yu's handbags have earned Vietnam a star on the international fashion map—and their funky fabrics and edgy embellishments have earned them a spot on celebrity shoulders everywhere.