Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I've got your summer tote

With all my friends at Cannes this week (just kidding), it's got me thinking of the Cote d'Azur. And in particular how to create that feeling in a bag...happily I recently got this amazing leather which I've turned into my perfect summer tote. It reminds me of the kind of understated elegance and boho richness that is old time lines like K.Jacques from St. Tropez, artisan sandal makers since 1933.

A few weeks ago, soon after the trunk show at Taylor De Cordoba, I got an email from a woman named Adriana Caras. She said she'd read about my line and the fact that I use recycled/remnant leather for my bags. She used to have her own shoe/bag line and had a lot of Italian hardware and leather left over. She asked, would I like to come take a look at it? Of course! So I met her at her storage place in a squat, seedy bldg in West Hollywood which nonetheless serves as the office bldg for fabulous-fille Alexandra von Furstenberg (but that's besides the point.) Ms. Caras however was a lovely as can be. A super-chic mother of two, she abandoned the accessories trade to mother and be a consultant to other lines.


All this is to tell you that she had this leather - that I've made into one of my fav shopping totes. OMG, it kinda of makes me crazy I love it so much. She got it herself in Italy in the 90s from a tannery owned by brothers (who you could just imagine as hot) where they use only eco friendly dye processes. And this was the 90s when everyone wasn't on the "green" band wagon to be cool, they actually have been doing this process for ages. I love that. And I love that I bought it remnant from lovely Ms. Caras.


It's not on the website yet, but if you want to pre-order one just email me: clare@seevivier.com

p.s. if you're in LA and want to come to my trunk show at my house on Thursday night, please rsvp to elsehenry@gmail.com.

12 comments:

BLACKBURN+SWEETZER said...

OMG, gorgeous, I love it! I remember Adriana Caras, she had a place on Fairfax.

tracy said...

I used to go to her sales with Alicia Lawhon. She is an amazing talent and lovely too! I am glad you connected with her and that bag is fantastic
xt

Unknown said...

that's the most beautifulest thing ive ever seen. yes, when my grammar is faltering is when i know that im truly in love.

♡/AND OTHER ACCIDENTS said...

this bag is to die for - i think i just fell in love for the 100th time :)

how much are you selling it for?

also hope you don't mind, but i had to mention this on my blog.

oxLO

Meredith said...

I don't have a blog. not worth mentioning. anyway, but if I did, I would have to mention this bag on it, and maybe I would promote it so furvently and furiously as to earn a bag out of the deal and we would all go home happy. That is a GREAT bag. Worth blogging about, starting fires over, falling in love with. I get it.

patty said...

Well, i'm the mom, but i have to say, this bag is just soooooo beautiful. I think it's the color i love. So soft you just wanna reach out and touch it. I want one. mom pattyrmm

Unknown said...

I'm loving this bag...How much is it + shipping to the UK?

BODIE and FOU
http://bodieandfou.blogspot.com/
Twitter/bodieandfou

Unknown said...

Hello from Paris !
I love this tote bag, perfect with my K Jacques shoes. How much is it + shipping to France ?
Thanks
Béline

Jana FitzGerald said...

This bag is so beautiful. I want it. I kind of want to order one! I see the K. Jacques influence, just enough so.

amy a thompson said...

i missed the window of opportunity... please please please find a way to make more!? and add me to your mailing list if you have one amyalice@sympatico.ca!

Cerré said...

oh my! so beautiful. are you still making these. cheers, lee

Clare Vivier said...

Cerré, Yes, I still make it. It is no longer made with the "remnant leather" but it is still made with vegetable tanned Italian leather and it is beautiful!
Here it is on the site:
http://seevivier.com/la_tropezienne_dc.htm