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Interview with D

Our interview subject this week, D, is such a cool woman. She has a beautifully curated Hermes collection but is incredibly down to earth and just is lovely, funny, and so smart, with so much to share. I hope you all enjoy meeting her.

D and one of her passions – photography

What shall we call you? What do you do, and where do you live? 

You can call me D, and I live in beautiful Northern California!

I know one of your major passions is Hermes! Can you tell me about how that hobby started, and how it has evolved? 

Hermes has been a passion for a while but it wasn’t until I was in my late 40’s with family obligations taken care of that I felt ready to buy a bag. My first was a pre-loved chocolate Clemence 32cm Kelly with gold hardware. Little did I know at the time that it was somewhat special being able to fold flat…. and even though a 32cm is too large for me, I wish I still had that bag! Over the years my collection has evolved to what it is today through trial and error (something I don’t recommend). I have fewer bags today than ever before but each one is well used and much appreciated and along with a few non-Hermes bags it’s perfect the way it is!

A special Kelly….28cm Box Calf with Rouge H lining

What are some of your other passions and hobbies?

I’ve always been interested in design whether it be fashion, architecture, furniture, landscape which means my design book collection is HUGE! I’m passionate about photography. I’ll choose cats over dogs any day. They’re so much more interesting! And if you tell me we’re off to visit the gardens in England or the chateaux in France I’d be packed and ready to go faster than you can blink and eye!

D’s cat Muffin taking a well-deserved rest

What is your #1 favorite Hermes item that you own? What about a holy grail that you are looking to acquire? 

Hmmmm…..well my favorite seems to change every so often. A few months ago my favorite was my Gris T Massai Cut. Then it was my Black Box Birkin with Ruthenium. While I was traveling just recently my favorite was my little black box Plume Elan. So, I don’t necessarily have a particular #1 favorite and there’s really no holy grail that I’m desiring. It’s taken me a while to build my bag collection just the way I like it so each piece is really a Holy Grail and each piece works beautifully with everything else in my wardrobe. This is important because my accessories need to carry the day and provide the finishing touch to what I choose to wear since my clothing tends to be pretty simple.

Beloved Plume Elan

Birkin 30cm with Ruthenium

What are some purchases that you regret/later sold off/etc? Why did you make them and what’d you learn? 

Oh dear, WELL!!! This could be a book! First, size and proportion is all important, IMO. There’s nothing worse than a bag that over powers you. We might all have seen those pictures of Katie Holmes and her enormous Birkin. It’s ridiculous! I’m 5’3″ and petite. I can’t carry a 32cm Kelly or a 35cm Birkin. But that’s what I bought in the beginning because everyone else I knew was buying 32cm Kelly’s and 35cm Birkins so I figured that was the size to get. It couldn’t have been more wrong for me. Now I have bags that fit my silhouette and I couldn’t be happier. Remember. Your handbag should never proceed you….it should never be the thing people notice first.

And second, only buy what works for your lifestyle. Croc Kelly your “grail”? You better have a croc Kelly lifestyle otherwise it’s money tossed down the drain.

D’s Hermes Etoupe Web II

What’s your opinion about people acquiring Hermes at younger and younger ages? Do you think it hurts somewhat their appreciation of the brand – where do you go after you have Hermes in your teens? 

Well, I can only speak from my own experience with my own kids in my own economic bracket. I know for a fact that teenagers in my world can’t possibly understand what a brand like Hermes is all about and I know for a fact that they don’t care…. My daughter, for example, would rather have something she could look cool carrying around and that’s about it for her. She could care less about my handbag collection and she’d be teased endlessly by her peers if she carried any one of my bags. But that’s MY world. There are people out there in the universe with enough disposable income to buy a small country and it would be different for them. But having said all that, I think if young girls really want an Hermes bag no matter what their economic bracket they need to learn about the brand first, earn the money themselves and buy their own bags in order to really appreciate what’s hanging on their arm. Maybe some of them do….but I don’t know any.

Who are some of your style icons? 

Marlene Dietrich, Ines de la Fressange, Costanza Pascolato, Ellen Barkin, Diana Vreeland……LOL! There’s a few!

Ines Fressange

Diana Vreeland

Costanza Pascolatoa

Marlene Dietrich

Ellen Barkin

What would be the #1 advice you have on fashion/purchasing/curating your perfect wardrobe that you’d share?

Can I give you four? LOL! It’s far better to have one fabulous cashmere sweater than five cheap ones that look awful after a few washings. Quality over quantity always. Less is always more. And find a good tailor!

I know when I was in my Hermes phase, I had some troubles balancing the budget! Do you have any tips on not overspending?

That’s a tough question! I wasn’t very good at it myself! I think I would have to say if you must use a credit card to buy your Hermes (or any expensive brand) then use American Express because you’re forced to pay it off in 30-days!

What have you recently cheated on Hermes with (I know you got the Celine box!)

LOL! Well, that Celine Classic Box is really the Hermes Constance only designed MUCH better! I’m not fond of the Luggage at all (it’s hard to be once you have had a Birkin) and I’m not sure what all the fuss surrounding the Cabas tote is all about but Phoebe sure got it right with the Classic Box. I do own a Sofia Coppola for LV bag that I love….again, the quality is outstanding for LV and, like Phoebe with the Constance, Sofia took the classic Speedy and improved it. Other than that, I’ve been a good girl lately!

Celine Classic Box

Finally, please share something surprising about yourself!

Ssshhh….I’m full of little secrets. LOL!!!!

I hope you all enjoyed meeting D. I really think her lovely personality and super charming sense of humor came through in this interview. D, you totally remind me of an American version of one of our mutual style icons – Ines Fressange! Thank you again so much for sharing your photos and answers and have a great day, everybody!

37 Comments

  • Reply
    Jenna Lee
    May 18, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    Love all the bag photos! Some great style icons! but honestly Muffin stole the show! Great post! Thanks for sharing

  • Reply
    S
    May 18, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    Love the bags! My favorite bags are Hermes and Chanel 🙂 Thank you for doing this great interview and for the sweet comment on my blog. 🙂

  • Reply
    homestilo
    May 18, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    That first image is great. This really inspires fabulousity.

  • Reply
    Julie
    May 18, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    Another great interview. Thank you for sharing these. I really enjoy them!

  • Reply
    NaughtyBaubles
    May 18, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    Great interview but I would love to know more about Muffin…lol…that is such an adorable sleeping pose for a cat. Lovely photos of the bags too and what a collection she has.

    NaughtyBaubles

    NaughtyBaubles on Etsy

  • Reply
    Yaya
    May 18, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    Does she have a blog or website? I'd totally love to see her other pics and stuff! She sounds like such a Down to earth person!

    http://www.atelier630.com

  • Reply
    breakingrumours
    May 18, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    Love the interviews you are doing,this is no exception either,D is so witty with her comments <3 I have so much to learn about bags,can't have enough of em! 🙂

  • Reply
    EllysMakeupbag
    May 18, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    Loved the interview as usual, i totally agree with the bag size. I am tall and a tiny bag would look ridiculous on me. The cat seems so cute!

  • Reply
    Tara @ Haute Lunch
    May 18, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    Another great interview! I love her Hermes collection and hope to have a Birkin of my own someday! I think the question about teenagers and couture handbags was a good one, and I really liked D's response. Although I don't have a bag that's as expensive as a Hermes, I definitely have handbags and other items that are far more expensive than I ever thought I would be able to afford, and that are far, far, far nicer than anything I had as a teenager. That being said, I have much greater appreciation for these items and take much better care of them than people I know whose parents gave them items like these as teenagers. I think it's impossible to have an appreciate for high-end designer goods unless you work to buy them yourself.

  • Reply
    Fashion Is Passion by Poison
    May 18, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    I love the Celine bag <3

    Poison

  • Reply
    Vanilla - notes from my closet
    May 18, 2011 at 3:24 pm

    Great interview I agree about the bag size 🙂 tiny bags can look weird 🙂 thank you for stopping by my blog 🙂

    Love, Vanilla

    http://notesfrommycloset.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    travelkate
    May 18, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    You always have such great fashion inspired interviews! And very stylish friends 🙂

  • Reply
    McQ
    May 18, 2011 at 3:46 pm

    Dear lord I am quite jealous of her collection. To date I only have an hermes belt but would LOVE to add a few (hundred) pieces to keep it company 🙂

  • Reply
    Muffy
    May 18, 2011 at 4:03 pm

    Love this post! D is obviously very fabulous!

  • Reply
    district5
    May 18, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    Great post! For me it's always interesting to know who are style icons for people. She seems to have a lot.

    Christine
    http://district5-fashion.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    FleurLapin
    May 18, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    I love these interviews! The women are so glamorous and chic.

  • Reply
    Meisha.Style
    May 18, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    love the bags and her styles!!!

  • Reply
    LV
    May 18, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Wow, what a fabulously chic woman she is. I love her handbag collection and the photos are fantastic. You ask such great interview questions. I always love reading the interviews you do.

    http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Melanie
    May 18, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    Love your blog!!!

    http://www.pinkteddylove.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Tangles
    May 18, 2011 at 9:02 pm

    Another fab interview! I feel the same way about my purses…some days I'll think one is my favorite, but then I carry another one and think, "No, you're my favorite!" Ha ha 🙂

  • Reply
    fashioneggpplant
    May 19, 2011 at 1:36 am

    i love her! she sounds like such a fabulous woman! 🙂

  • Reply
    Shop N' Chomp
    May 19, 2011 at 2:12 am

    What a chic lady and lovely collection!

  • Reply
    Buckeroomama
    May 19, 2011 at 6:22 am

    I so enjoyed reading this interview. I'm not much into designer brands like the LV and other more "out there" brands, but I love Hermes –discreet, discreet, discreet.

  • Reply
    Vasu
    May 19, 2011 at 7:57 am

    the images are beautiful….love them!!

    ps- Thank you

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rosabellebyvasu

  • Reply
    q9y8
    May 19, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    What a lovely interview! Thanks a lot for sharing. Love shopmom & Muffin. 🙂

  • Reply
    Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
    May 19, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    It's so lovely reading about D who has been a longtime contributor to TPF. Another fantastic interview!

  • Reply
    Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
    May 19, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    It's so lovely reading about D who has been a longtime contributor to TPF. Another fantastic interview!

  • Reply
    Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
    May 19, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    It's so lovely reading about D who has been a longtime contributor to TPF. Another fantastic interview!

  • Reply
    Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
    May 19, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    It's so lovely reading about D who has been a longtime contributor to TPF. Another fantastic interview!

  • Reply
    elleovely
    May 20, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    love your collection!! I know that you mentioned you aren't too fond of the celine luggage, but have you seen the tri-color version in white, beige and black? It's lovely! With this being said, I think after owing a birkin, nothing similar really comes close. 🙂

  • Reply
    Natasha
    May 20, 2011 at 10:54 pm

    A beautiful interview and beautiful bags!

  • Reply
    MartilaMi
    May 22, 2011 at 11:48 am

    WONDERFIL POST!
    HI!my name's martina and I come from Italy… I'd like you visit my blog and if you want… follow me! I wait you and your tips!
    kisses
    marti

  • Reply
    Fifi Flowers
    May 24, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    LOVE purses!!! I have a closet filled with them!!!

  • Reply
    Shirlyn
    June 5, 2012 at 12:22 am

    I enjoy reading about D. Beautiful timeless bags, belt & leather jacket..such an effortless, smart & classy style!

  • Reply
    docride
    July 26, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    A great interview with a chic,sensible and smart lady! Enjoyed it very much!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      July 26, 2012 at 4:25 pm

      You and D remind me of each other actually! Hi Doc!

  • Reply
    The Hermes Canvas Strap | Feather Factor
    April 11, 2014 at 7:50 am

    […] And last but not least, a canvas strap with a box Kelly, worn crossbody by  one of my favorite Hermes loving ladies, D. […]

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