A Look Back at 2013 - Incredible!

This year has been full of so many amazing experiences as CV has continued to grow right in front of my eyes. So amid the holiday frenzy, I wanted to stop for a second and look back at the best moments of 2013 - the ones that made me scream with excitement and blink my eyes in disbelief! 

I loved seeing this photo of the always chic Jules of Sincerely Jules accessorizing her amazing fur-topped #NYFW look with the leopard Flat Clutch. Set against that crazy Fashion Week snow storm, it all looks too good. Even Fifi Lapin thought so, putting this adorable sketch on her blog.

Back in April, I traveled to Japan for the very first time to visit all of my store accounts there. It was an incredible experience filled with street style inspiration (just look at these school girls!), incredible food, and fun at the new Steven Alan store in Tokyo. 

I did a double take when I got an email from GOOP earlier in the year talking about a collaboration since I was already a subscriber and I love anything and everything Gwyneth. We did some super cute clutches and even a herringbone duffle this season that's exclusive to GOOP. Such a big moment for our brand.

I was happy to meet Katherine Schwarzenegger in New York this year through a mutual friend, when she returned to LA, she said she wanted to come to our studio and she stayed true to her word - and brought her mom! We were all so excited. I think Maria's Zip Wallet looks pretty good with the "MS" monogram. 

I always love when new collection samples come into the studio and we're all crushing on Spring '14. Jocelyn took this tote for a spin, featuring the new spot print that our Graphic Designer Lizzie drew by hand. So excited to see these babies in stores. 

Our summer trip to France is always a highlight of the year. I always love visiting my sister-in-law in the seaside town of Saint Gilles Croix de Vie. Here's one of my favorite shots of the trip, at the Fête du Poisson in town. 

A piece in Vanity Fair - does it get any better? West Coast editor Krista Smith interviewed me for their "Private Lives" section and I got to chat with her about where I started and where I'm headed, I still pinch myself about this one. I have to say I couldn't have picked a better issue to be included, I mean, HOVA was on the cover. 

 But our biggest moment - even bigger than a feature in VF :) - was in October when we opened a store in NEW YORK! We chose this sweet little storefront on Elizabeth Street in NoLita and my friend Simone Shubuck created this cool collage wall that turned out even better than I could have imagined. The crowds turned out, the press was great and everyone seems excited to have a bit of Clare V. in NYC. 

The day we shipped our very first box to Net-a-Porter was another big one for the studio. They made our bags look amazing - their styling is genius. 

And the most recent big piece of news in 2013 (that's still going!) is our special collection for Apple. I started my line with laptop cases so to be able to come back full circle with the brand that I've always loved with this collection was a dream come true. 

2013 has been such a fun and exciting year for CV, so thankful for everything and everyone involved. 

Happy new year everyone. xox cv

My Gift Picks for the Holidays

We're now offering extended holiday hours through Christmas! So please stop by, say hi, & snatch up all the gifts you need to get! (New store hours listed below.) My own holiday wish list is full of chic items online at ClareVivier.com and in our stores! Here's what I'll be gifting (illustrated with images plucked from Instagram) - and hopefully getting for Christmas.

The new hair-on Sac Bretelle just arrived in the studio and the girls went loonies! It's a great cross body style that's so easy for anyone to wear - I'm still deciding between navy and black! 

Heather Taylor Home linens are the perfect holiday gift for the friend or family member who entertains. I've always loved the pairing of bright colors and natural fabrics - the perfect setting for a festive holiday feast!

Monogrammed Wallet Clutches are a super cute gift for my girlfriends this year. I especially like these ones at the store that feature fun phrases and French film titles. I was excited to see Vogue West Coast Associate Editor Jessica Kantor picked one up and here she is modeling it for Teen Vogue - part of her Look of the Day! 

 If you're looking for a great gift for your guy, I think you can't go wrong with the monogrammed card case. It's handsome and the gold lettering lets you personalize it for anyone in your life.

 Every time I walk into one of our stores, I'm reminded just how much I love the scent of the Chateau Marmont candles we sell. The scented blend of florals and spices, gardenia and vanilla make the perfect hostess gift. 

I can't not get something for myself, right? I like to think that my Maya Brenner necklaces look even better when layered, so I'm always happy to receive another one. 

And Grace Lee has equally irresistible jewelry. My wrist and fingers are never without their monogrammed signet ring, delicate gold bangles and beautiful bands, which are sweetest when stacked. (Also pictured on my digit is the Lena Wald rose gold hearts ring.)

Extended Holiday Store Hours:

Clare Vivier Flagship, Silverlake

3339 West Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90026

Monday - Saturday, 11-7

Sunday, 12-6

Clare V. NYC, NoLita

239 Elizabeth Street

New York, NY 10012

Monday - Saturday, 11-7

Sunday, 12-6

Headed To Chicago and Dallas with Steven Alan!

This week is another big one as we gear up for the holidays! I'm headed to Chicago to join my friend Steven Alan and Alaina and Danielle from The Everygirl for a monogramming event at his store. Make sure to swing by and get free monogramming on some of our favorite pieces - including the exclusive pieces I designed for SA.

Next up is Dallas, where I'll be hanging out with A Piece of Toast bloggers Sally and Molly (and Ori, our monogrammer extraordinaire) for a fun party celebrating our exclusive collaboration with Steven Alan. 

We've been dying over the new quilted leather bags.

And who could resist the complimentary monogramming? Kickoff the season with a little visit. Hope to see you there!

Fun With Jean STORIES & More...

I first met Jane Herman when she came to visit me in my studio for a feature on her new site with Florence Kane, Jean STORIES. I'm a sucker for good jeans, so I loved that they were creating an entire site dedicated to denim. The former Vogue staffers (and now contributors) are NY-based but came to the CV studio to hear more about my favorite pair (currently my Acne "Flex") and the denim I've been using in my collection.

The denim duffle is always a big hit and the flat clutches in denim are a fun update to the bestseller. Right now the backgammon set is looking pretty good as a holiday gift, too.

They caught me in my office working with different fabric swatches and getting a head start on the next collection.

And they snapped my mood board that's filled with all of the things that are currently inspiring me. There are special notes from editors that I cherish, some French phrases and iconic images that I never tire of looking at.

This is such a cute shot. The day she was here, five ladies in the CV headquarters were all spotted wearing different types of denim -- and in such stylish ways. From Mandy's shorts to Lizzie's high-waisted white pair, jeans are always a staple in this office.

In other exciting news to report: I found out last week that the Clare Vivier flagship in Silverlake is going to be included in the new Louis Vuitton Los Angeles City Guide. I'm blushing at the honor -- I mean, it's Louis Vuitton!

What a week it's been. Get a head start on your holiday shopping with some of my favorites with the new Clare's Picks that we're featuring right now. Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving!

Introducing Clare V. For Apple

I'm so excited to have CV laptop cases in Apple stores for holiday. I started my line with a laptop case for my original blueberry iBook, when I was traveling a lot for work (at the time working with my husband for French television) and then started making them for my friends. So I'm proud to finally now have them in Apple stores!

 We designed them in three signature CV leathers--grey with red stripe, cobalt blue and black basketweave for 11", 13" and 15" laptops. They're available now in the following Apple stores: Soho, Upper West Side and Fifth Avenue, NYC, Stanford, Palo Alto, Valley Fair in Santa Ana, San Francisco, North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Eaton Center in Toronto and Boylston Street in Boston.

These cases are padded and have a cozy suede zipper protector panel so no metal will scratch your beautiful Apple laptop. 

Back To New York...Yet Again

It seems like I've been making quite a few trips back east lately and this latest one was for a great reason. This past weekend, I got to host an event at Bergdorf Goodman with our ol' Walker Baron (monogrammer extraordinaire) and check in on my new store on Elizabeth Street.

I snuck a shot out the window of Bergdorf's while I was there. Nothing beats the view up Fifth Avenue into Central Park.

I was utterly obsessed with my room at the Lafayette House, it was so hard to pick just one shot to share. Not only did I love the pink-bordered linens, but I loved working by the fireplace, especially since I was there for the first snow of the season.

During a stop at the Steven Alan corporate office, I saw my dream jeans on one of the girls there: perfectly lived-in A.P.C. Jeans. I had to snap a few pics of her legs. (Nice boots too, A.P.C., as well.)

If you can believe it, I have a patchwork sweater just like this. When I saw this girl wearing hers in New York, I had to take a picture. 

I was so excited that my trip coincided with my bff Simone's birthday dinner at Buvette. Plates of food and faint candlelight were the perfect setting. 

I'm loving our NY flower girl - this gorgeous arrangement greeted me as soon as I walked through the door of our new store. 

I was at the shop when this cute girl came in with her red hat. She asked to see the Purple Messenger. She started to ask me questions about "Clare," like "What's her story? Is she French?" I said, I'm Clare! It was so cute. And she walked away with a bright new bag. 

And here's sweet Louisa, who works at the store, with some of my favorite bags for holiday: the Louise bag and golden wallet clutch with black stripe.

A First Look At Holiday!

It's never too early to start shopping for the holidays! I wanted to share some of my CV favorites that are on their way out to stores.

The Black Croco Messenger brings a fun new finish to one of my favorite shapes.

 The Foldover Clutch in Pewter and Black dresses things up a bit for all of those holiday parties. 

Who could resist this Denim Carryall? I've got this on my wish list and can imagine any one of my friends toting around town. 

A Wallet Clutch for every occasion! The ribbon dresses it up and I really love all of the new textures for Holiday!

The Zip and Half Zip Wallet with the cool croco finish is a great stocking stuffer. It's a great gift to give—and get.

My Favorite Pics From The New York Store Opening!

Here are some of my favorite shots from the party we had for the New York store opening.

I couldn't get over how great the windows of the store turned out.

This is one of my best friends in the world, Simone Shubuck. I was so excited to have her participate in the store by creating the collage wall behind her. Here she is with her husband, Adam Rapoport, the Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appétit, which looks better than ever these days.

Mamie, the star of our film, was there, photographed here with my friend Steven Alan and Waris Ahluwalia, who I met that night and is such a warm, sweet person.

I was happy to see these two Editors-at-Large from Vogue, Jane Herman and Florence Kane, come by. I first met Jane a few months ago when she came to my studio to shoot me for their new site Jean Stories, which I'm so excited to see when it launches next week.

Always nice to have good friends at the party, especially these three who came all the way from L.A.  Greta has done a ton of work setting up the New York store, Joanna is sporting her Mexican flag clutch and Heather looks great with her Black Pelli.

It was nice to see Mike D. again. I was such a huge fan of the Beastie Boys back in the day.

The beautiful Gummer sisters. Mamie starred in our film, I got to tell Grace that I'm a huge fan of hers on The Newsroom and Louisa is now working in our New York store.

My friend Melissa Coker of Wren brought her friend, actress Nora Zehetner to the party.

Such a fun night. It's great to look back at all these pictures.