Show Us Your Purse

■ Who? Gabrielle Barel, Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort Ski School manager

■ Location: Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort

■ Handbag: Louis Vuitton

■ Are handbags status symbols? For me, the answer is no. I like to believe that status is achieved by one's contribution or reputation, not strictly by material things.

■ What does this bag say about you? It says that I enjoy fashion and value quality, but that I like to express my own style. Its elegant and modern design reflects my laid-back personality. It's void of logos so it really works well with my style, which is stylish, simple, yet active and athletic.

■ If someone found your bag and looked inside, what would they think of you? That I'm an animal lover. That I enjoy a good glass of wine, and that, at times, I can be practical and business-oriented -- even though my friends will tell you otherwise.

■ What's the most important item you've carried in your bag? A plane ticket to Rome

■ What's the strangest item you've carried in your bag? A goldfish in water that I won at a carnival.

■ Tell us about the first special bag you owned. My dad gave me a groovy leather backpack in college and I took it everywhere with me for years. I still have it to this day. I've traveled throughout Europe with it and when I first started to teach skiing, it was my go-to bag.

■ Knockoffs: Love 'em or hate 'em? I don't have a problem with them, but, personally, if I'm going to spend money on a purse, I want the real thing.

■ Image is ... the first impression that you make so it's important that you represent yourself as completely as you can 100 percent of the time.

■ What's in your bag? Wine cork, ski pass, day planner, dog treats, hand warmer/window scraper, Leatherman multi-tool.