We all know VBH for their envelope clutches but there is an entire world in their vast collection that is way more spectacular and so luxurious it is almost absurd. As soon as you walk in to their Madison boutique (at 74th St.) you know you have arrived in a special place where special things can be bought. It is an old bank building with super high ceilings and different sitting areas for you to lounge as you mull over your purchases. Who would be so bold and fabulous as to lavish us in such fine fashion?
I had the pleasure to sit down with the man behind VBH at the Beverly Hills Hotel on the Friday before the Oscars. Let me tell you, that was the place to be because everyone was there (he introduced me to his good friend Carolina Herrera!!)! Vernon Bruce Hoeksema, who goes by Bruce, started the line in 2001 to fill a void in the luxury bag market at a time when everyone and their mothers (literally) were using the same bags - the LV, Gucci and Prada's. He worked for Valentino for 25 years (he started off in fashion as a model, can you tell?), negotiated the sale of which for £211 million in 1998 and finally left after the transition in 2000. He was fully equipped and ready to start his dream collection of bags and jewelry.
I had the chance to interview handbag guru Rebecca Minkoff who is one of the few designers who has mastered designing beautiful handbags in the $500-600 range and besides giving some insight into her style and what the fashionista totes around in her handbag, I found-out that come Spring 2009 clothing will be added to the mix! The San Diego-born designer actually began her foray into fashion by designing clothing and she launched her own line in 2001. It wasn't until her friend and actress Jenna Elfman asked her to design a handbag for her next movie that the
'Morning After Bag'
Read our interview with Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa!
Les Trois Generations: Louis, Georges et Gaston avec les Ouvriers D'Asnieres en 1888
It has been three weeks since I toured the original Louis Vuitton home and Atelier in Asnieres (a small suburb just outside of Paris) but I have been putting off writing the actual entry because frankly, I feared I could not convey my thoughts properly in words and do it justice. How do I share the privilege of touring a home that carries with it the legacy of one of the most important fashion dynasties in the history of fashion without sounding contrived or boastful? It is a delicate balance of offering factual details of the visit with my interpretation of everything I saw that day-- one that I hope I achieved through the following pictorial tour. I am posting the pictures in the order that I took them so that you can feel as if you were on the tour along with me. I sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I have newfound respect and understanding for the brand but this entry is not about the latest "it" bag or a discussion of whether or not we should purchase Louis Vuitton bags; rather, it is a stroll through the history of time.... so grab a drink and have fun :)
Oscar de la Renta is considered an International Fashion Designer but we Americans prefer to claim him as our own (For the record, Mr. de la Renta was born in the Dominican Republic, part of the Americas. He also resides predominantly in New York City, actually, he IS New York --so yes, we win). I wonder if the 18 year old boy from the D.R. who followed his dream to study painting at the Academy of San Fernando in Madrid knew that he would one day become one of the most influential designers in the history of Fashion. I don’t think there is a woman alive today who has not heard of Oscar de la Renta! 
Every one of my girlfriends has an “Oscar” story-- the first time they obsessed over one of his beautiful creations.
I remember the first Oscar piece I coveted, it was a shimmering champagne colored frothy gown worn by Sarah Jessica Parker in 2001 (I still have a photo of it from Vogue in my desk, not kidding). I was planning my wedding at the time and was determined to wear it as my wedding dress (so it was a bit see thru and it was not white-- but it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and I wanted it!). Unfortunately, I was not the lucky fashion blogger that I am today with a direct line to the Oscar folks and was unable to locate the gown. But my love affair with Oscar de la Renta began, and it has grown to epic proportions ever since I met the iconic designer this spring. Tell me, do you remember the first time you fell for Oscar?
Born in San Francisco, to a fourth-generation Chinese-American family, Derek Lam spent his childhood among the racks of clothes his parents imported from Asia. He especially adored the wedding gowns at his grandparents' garment factories and spent many happy afternoons with the seamstresses there. Little did he know, his destiny was being shaped, as he tirelessly watched stitch after meticulous stitch. I first met Derek in 2005. He was in his second year of showing his collection and had not yet signed on as Tod's creative director. He was soft spoken, sweet and accommodating. I was so enamored with him and his beautiful clothes that I became a dedicated Derek Lam fanatic, picking up pieces each season. Of course, I've also been a Tod's bags and shoes junkie since college (Tod's platform boots circa 2002? I have 5 pairs!) so there was no one more excited than I when it was announced that Derek would be heading up the classic Italian brand.
We met up again last Wednesday at a brunch co-hosted by Tod's and one of my closest friends, Kimberly Whitman. I stole Derek away from the other guests, so that we could catch up and give our readers a chance to meet him, up close and personal. Jump to see the entire interview!
Softy Messenger bag and tote in python. Call Tod's 214-363-6600 to order
Fiona Kotur's story embodies what I love about women! It makes me proud, and I am in constant awe of the versatility, adaptability, and will of our gender. Fiona moved to Hong Kong in 2002, with her husband, whose finance position took him there. Can't feel sorry for her -- Hong Kong is one of the greatest cities in the world! And obviously Fiona would agree with me as she fully immersed herself in the diverse and exciting cultural clashes of the city.
She comes from a design background, having worked for Ralph Lauren and Gap, so when long-time friend, Tory Burch, needed help launching her line, Fiona sourced materials for her in Hong Kong and China. That was the beginning of Kotur as Fiona found and bought a warehouse full of vintage 60s brocade that ended up being the materials for her first collection. She not only made the best of her situation, but she took advantage of what life had to offer and created her own ideal world.
We started Bag Snob two and a half years ago and are blown away by the strides taken by the fashion blogging industry; from Fashion week invitations to showroom visits, designers are now aware of the positive influence of fashion blogs and reaching out to us. Kelly and I were invited to Oscar de la Renta's showroom yesterday to preview his latest bag collection, we were told Oscar would join us and we just about fainted- how many people can say they hung out at Oscar de la Renta's showroom (and his private workroom loft, I was told most people do not get access up there!) with OSCAR himself!?!? We spent the first part of our visit playing with the new bags (THE strongest bag collection of the season-I will have more details on the fabulous Shagreen Goya bag I am carrying in the photo) and the Fall '08 RTW collection, not only did I touch and feel all the samples, I was able to try them on! (most fit me perfectly, which means the 6' tall models are a size 0!?!?) It was like playing dress up in your mother's closet, except every item is an Oscar de la Renta masterpiece. The clothes were even more beautiful in person, the details in the stitching, beading, and embroidery were absolutely exquisite and extraordinary. Oscar applies the same meticulous haute couture detailing to his ready-to-wear as he did during his years as the Director of Pierre Balmain couture. From the runway we saw gold leafing, in person, the gold leafs are actually hand painted feathers!
