thanks to my dear good friend Sari brown at Lux Couture, Vlad as well as I were able to satisfy one more magnificent new designer while in new York City last month, Jennifer Alfano. While Jennifer is newer to the purse world, she has been in the world of fashion for over twenty years. We went to her office in new York City to satisfy Jennifer as well as her expert Dawn. She had just sent rather a few of her spring bags out the morning that we arrived, however the choice for us to see was still excellent as well as I might not assist however lust after her lively exotics. the very best part of her office is the board behind her desk, with a hand drawn photo of a purse, compliments of her daughter. We sat down with Jennifer to discover a lot more about her handbags, why she focuses on exotic, as well as some bit understood facts about her. take pleasure in as well as make sure to inspect out her bags that are marked down at Lux Couture ideal now – get hold of one while you can!
PB: exactly how did you get into the fashion World?
JA: My background in fashion is being a fashion editor. I started nearly 20 years back at vogue magazine then I went to Bazaar. I left as well as assisted introduce lucky Magazine. then I had my second child as well as went back to exposition as fashion features director. after that I left as well as was composing for them as a contributor.
PB: exactly how did you shift into handbags?
JA: I always believed if there was something I couldn’t discover in fashion that I loved, I would try it myself. I might never discover a purse that I liked. There is a great deal available that is the exact same as well as a great deal with bells as well as whistles. I am a lot more of a minimalist. I like 60’s age fashion, like Jackie O; chic, traditional however not boring. I couldn’t discover it so I made a decision to make handbags.
I have a like of reliable handbags. I feel like a great deal of designers do not put a great deal of believed in their handbags. They aren’t creating for women; they are creating to be trendy. There were lots of problems, I opened my bag as well as it was like a black hole.
The other thing about purses is you always requirement one; you don’t have to be a specific shape, size, or age to appreciate it. purses state a great deal about a person. What I want from a purse is a purse that speaks with your character however doesn’t have so much character that you don’t see the person.
PB: Where are your purses made?
JA: They are all made in Italy. high-end must truly be made in a method that indicates luxury; it must not be mass-produced. While some purchasers do not care, I believe there are lots of women who care exactly how a purse is made. The guy who makes my samples makes the runway samples for Chanel. He is amazing as well as it is a enjoyment to work with people like that!
PB: What made you select to focus on exotics?
JA: I like the colors that I can make with exotics as well as the saturation of the colors. The exotic market is so huge ideal now. I believe my bags are extremely special as well as lots of people look for a special exotic bag. For next autumn I will be working with ostrich. I have daily bags, however I am trying to find my bags to be something else.
PB: who is the normal Jennifer Alfano buyer?
JA: It is somebody who likes fashion however is not incredibly trendy. lots of women in their 30’s or 40’s, who work or have youngsters or both. It is the lady who has the way of life as well as the children. Zij is mij!
PB: who is your fashion icon?
JA: I like Lee Radziwill as well as Jane Birkin- classic, American chic, as well as a bit Bohemian.
PB: If you desired somebody to wear your bag, who would it be?
JA: If I desired somebody to wear my bag it would be Sophia Coppola, Gwyneth Paltrow, or Jennifer Connolly, or Kate Bosworth (she is cute!). I truly like that early 60’s-70’s moment in fashion.
PB: What colors will we see from you the seasons coming up?
JA: I hope pink doesn’t come back, since I’ll be in trouble! I am not a fan of pink. however I will be utilizing purple, remove blues, teal, red, as well as mustard. I am getting a lot more adventurous with colors.
PB: What can we expect from you in the future?
JA: Belts are absolutely coming. I am broadening the collection into a lot more exotics. I have other concepts for sure, however this is where I am going for now!
PB: exactly how crucial is star exposure to you?
JA: I requirement it for sure. however I believe the people who get my purses don’t requirement to see star exposure to get my bags. however for press it is important. To develop a brand today this is an crucial element, however this is not my customer. I would like it as well as it definitely doesn’t hurt though! I don’t believe the lady who gets my bag will get it since she saw it on a celebrity, however it may bring me one more customer.
PB: What on the internet stores currently bring your bags?
Lux Couture. I take orders on my site also, however generally Lux Couture.
PB: What is your daily bag?
JA: The Getaway, the Morgan, as well as the Allegra. I am not a huge bag switcher. I like two clutches as well as two day bags a season!
PB: What is in your handbag?
JA: Hermes agenda, service cards, pens, NARS lipstick, chap stick, Blackberry, crossword puzzle from the NYT! I always have my crossword puzzle. I try to edit what I have in my purse as well as I get extremely upset when somebody over stuffs it!
PB: What do you indulge in?
JA: chocolate from Maison du Chocolat!
PB: Where??! Wat? We like chocolate!
JA: Maison du Chocolat is at Madison Ave as well as 79th! It is French, as well as is the best! It is extremely severe chocolate.
PB: What is your weekend like?
JA: I have two daughters; they are 8 as well as 6. We go to basketball practice, flag football, household dinner. We just chill out on the weekends as well as have household time.
PB: Are your women purse lovers?
JA: My bit one does, the older one doesn’t! The Allegra as well as the Marina are named after my daughters. however they are extremely important with me as well as will tell me “I hope you are not making that bag since it is not extremely good!” as well as they are ideal actually!
PB: Do you online in the City?
JA: I online in Westchester.
PB: Do you have a preferred area in new York?
JA: central Park. as well as Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel; I like all traditional new York things. I like the Neue Gallery. It is had by the Lauder’s (like Estee Lauder) as well as is Austrian art.
PB: fascinating truth about you that nobody knows?
JA: I trained to be a classic dancer for 14 years. I wasn’t going to go to college. I made a decision to go to college in new York. My daddy said, “what if you break both of your legs?” So I said, “Fine!” as well as made a decision to go to NYU. I stop dancing my senior year of college, it was just time.
PB: We were both athletes in college too!
JA: sports provide you the self-control to begin your own business. You truly have to be focused as well as be ready to keep going with the ups as well as downs.
PB: It was a enjoyment satisfying you! say thanks to you for everything!
As Vlad snapped photos of the magnificent bags Jennifer Alfano has for the upcoming seasons, Jennifer, Dawn (Jennifer’s consultant), Vlad as well as I chatted as if we were old friends. We absolutely adored Jennifer as well as Dawn, who were down to earth as well as such a enjoyment to meet. expect to only hear a lot more about this designer as Style.com’s holiday guide features the Jennifer Alfano Marina Clutch. look for lots of a lot more interesting bags from this new designer!