TEXT, VIVIAN G. KELLY-VAN ZUTPHEN
Images, Richard Spiegel
"… I did not want to just design arm candy, but rather, sophisticated, luxury handbags identifiable for their high quality construction, distinctive aesthetic and versatility that lends itself to complement a favorite pair of jeans, a cocktail dress, poolside, or at the MET - feminine, functional and timeless." – Designer and Founder, Khirma Eliazov
WHAT: A 1-year-old bag line created by a former Vogue editor and stylist.
Event: Khirma Eliazov Trunk Show
When: April 22-25th (Thursday-Sunday)
Where: Henri Bendel (56th Street and 5th Avenue), right up front and to the right of the door.
Last year, in the depths of what www.cnbc.com has termed, “a deep recession”, it seems fool-hardy to launch a bag line. That’s what Khirma laughingly told us her parents’ reaction was when she broke the news to them that this was just what she was going to do.
And, that’s true, many aspiring designers come and go, and the projected lifespan is akin to that of a fruitfly’s.
Not this young lady – she’s got some great bags, a Vogue pedigree, AND a little help from some very influential friends. Her bags have already been featured in major publications such as Vogue, Elle, Teen Vogue, Glamour, Style.com, Star, and The New York Post.
A FEW WORDS WITH KHIRMA
TheFE: What do you do besides design the bags?You’ve tightly edited yourself, but why now?
KHIRMA ELIAZOV: I'm the face of the company.
I’ve learned on my own – the sourcing, dealing with the production. My experience at Vogue and as a brand-marketing consultant for sure helped.
TheFE: Do you have a backer?
KHIRMA: In Spring 2009, Keira Guez joined me as a partner. She’s our Director of Production and Sales. At this point, the bags are available in over 15 stores
* [Guez is the daughter of denim mogul Paul Guez, has had her hands in the fashion industry from a very young age.]
TheFE: The bags look great, expensive. How are you pricing them?
KHIRMA: The majority is under $1000. I price them to sell – that’s my focus now.
The whole idea is affordable luxury. The little messenger bag retails for $240.
TheFE: Most special thing about your designs?
KHIRMA: It’s all about the detail, The detail is the signature gold box chain like the one my Grandmother used to wear.
I work in leather and exotics and the hand-woven comfy shoulder strap is one of our signatures.
[We hefted one onto our shoulder and it IS comfortable].
TheFE: You say you appeal to a wide age-span. How do you accomplish that?
KHIRMA: These bags are the finishing touch to a great outfit. It works for the conservative woman like my Mom's girlfriends and for my trendy girlfriends. The new collection features a big deconstructed tote, hobo and messenger – something for everyone.
THE CELEBRITY FACTOR
Khirma Eliazov handbags celebrity fans include: Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, Rihanna, Sienna Miller, Eve, Alessandra Ambrosio, among others. nationwide.
Lopez was recently spotted wearing Khirma’s ‘Cha Cha’ Bag.
For more information please view the collection online at www.khirmaeliazov.com
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