I like Gabriella Wimmer almost immediately upon meeting her. And not just because she’s offered me a glass of champagne to kick off our time together (though that certainly doesn’t hurt). Gabriella is friendly, approachable, and chic – qualities that should be paired together more often. But, most importantly, Gabriella is a woman who radiates confidence and self-assuredness, qualities of a woman who has fulfilled her purpose. And there’s nothing more stylish than that.
On this particularly sunny day, the designer’s exquisite collection is enjoying a slew of visitors at the Soho Beach House, all eager to see what’s so royal about a few luxury bags. And at first glance, I admittedly only see some pretty totes and clutches on display, not realizing that each bag is far more precious and unique than their casual elegance first lets on.
Each bag is handcrafted using only the finest exotic leathers, picked out by Wimmer herself after visits to more than several tanneries. That, paired with the understated luxury of clean lines balanced with rich colors and buttery soft lining would have been enough to make me a fan. But then she points out the tiny little diamonds set on the side of each bag. And I’m sold. Gabriella has thought of every detail to make a woman feel like she’s carrying a piece of functional art. Down to the little bit of sparkle that not everyone needs to know about. Only the lady who’s carrying it. And it reminds me that class and style are not things to be flaunted, but rather more appreciated and attractive when paired with humility and grace, more of the qualities that make Gabriella the kind of designer I hope we see more of.
After a little more champagne, friendly chatter and a very fun round of trying on diamond-studded bags (one bag was made to look as if the animal had been born with diamond-studded skin), I ask the designer to confide in me which is her favorite. And she laughs before giving me the same answer each parent dispatches when asked about their children – “I can’t pick a favorite. They are each a part of me.” And I believe her.
To learn more about Gabriella Wimmer’s collections and find out how to place a custom order, visit GabriellaWimmer.com.
