Isabella Fiore
The New MartSuite 1108(213) 629-1956
The Isabella Fiore showroom on the 11th floor of The New Mart is a light-filled gallery showcasing the New York handbag line’s latest creations—and a sampling of the work of its latest partnership, with handbag designer Carlos Falchi.
For Fall and Holiday ’10, Isabella Fiore Creative Director Kelly Ryan found inspiration in metallic details, quilting techniques, animal prints and vintage tapestries. The result is a modern update on Isabella Fiore’s signature luxe, embellished style.
Going forward, metal hardware takes on a softer look, said Liz Dolan, Isabella Fiore’s sales executive for major accounts. “It’s not as much rock ’n’ roll; it’s more feminine,” she said.
Dolan runs the Los Angeles showroom, which moved last year from its second-floor space in the building to the current location, with views of the Los Angeles Fashion District and the city skyline.
Many designs in Isabella Fiore’s collection are convertible, with straps that can be lengthened, shortened or removed altogether. “People love options,” Dolan said.
The “Pirate” group features vintage gold hardware and buttery leather in rich vegetable shades. The “Illusion” group features a trapunto quilting technique to give the handbags added surface interest. The “Camilla” group features embroidery and metallic mesh details. “We always do a little bling—but whimsical and chic,” Dolan said.
For the “Mixed Commotion” group, Ryan mixes animal prints and a hand-painted technique the company calls “damask leather.”
Wholesale priced from $125 for a clutch to $295 for a handbag, Isabella Fiore bags sell in better stores such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. Dolan—whose sales territory includes 17 Western states, including Hawaii—works with specialty retailers such as Kitson and Fairen Del in Del Mar, Calif., and Carlsbad, Calif.; Wynn Las Vegas; MGM Mirage Retail Group in Las Vegas; and Bella Beach in Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Isabella Fiore recently formed a partnership with Carlos Falchi, and Dolan has a sampling of some of the New York handbag designer’s collection, including his classic leather line of oversized totes and draped-leather handbags. The leather in Falci’s slouchy and oversize “Kite Bag” falls in big, luxuriously soft folds. Made from Italian leather, the bags are handcrafted in Falchi’s New York studios. Details—including braided handles, soft pleats and tiny bows—are kept to a sophisticated minimum.
“He’s a cult favorite,” Dolan said. (During a recent visit to the showroom, a sales rep from a neighboring showroom walked by and said, “Oh, you’re carrying Carlos Falchi now?”)
Dolan is launching the collection in Los Angeles with an eye to better specialty stores.
Dolan also has a sampling of Falci’s “Henna Tiger Snake” collection of hand-painted snakeskin clutches and the designer’s microfiber totes in a range of animal prints, finishes and colors—ranging from classic Fall shades of black, brown and gold to candy shades of red, pink and green. The lightweight totes are wholesale priced from $80 to $95. The Tiger Snake clutches are wholesale priced from $215 to $250. And the leather bags are wholesale priced from $260 to $430.—Alison A. Nieder
