Clare Vivier
Designer and #glowgirl Clare Vivier marries classic French glamour and minimalist LA cool in a line of handbags and accessories that are utilitarian, stylish, and effortlessly chic. After recognizing a need for functional yet fashionable laptop cases, Clare Vivier took the first steps toward creating her own eponymous handbag line, Clare V. Always taking into consideration the delicate tension between modern detail and classic shapes, Vivier has continued to push the design envelope, embracing bold new colors, prints and textures in her ever-expanding collection. All Clare V. bags and accessories can be monogrammed using their beautifully elegant fonts, making for the perfect personalized gift for any occasion. As the brand has grown, Vivier has collaborated with Steven Alan, & Other Stories, GOOP and Apple, among others (including us at How You Glow!)
While her bags are available globally, Clare Vivier firmly roots herself in the L.A. fashion and design community. From conception to fabrication, the line has been made exclusively in Los Angeles since 2008. After opening her first flagship store in the Silverlake neighborhood of L.A. in 2012, Vivier opened her second store in Manhattan’s NoLita in October, 2013 under the new name, Clare V. The brand's third retail location opened in November, 2014 in Santa Monica and next comes the highly anticipated West Hollywood store.
We met with the Clare herself at her Silverlake shop, as she showed us around some of her favorite pieces. All the Clare V. Stores have such a lovely vibe (Silverlake in particular is special because it was the first!)-- each store a place you want to stop in and try on everything. Warning you, it's almost impossible to leave without getting something! Aside from the gorgeous bags, they sell some exclusive specialty items, such stunning jewelry and our favorite Chateau Marmont candle which is #glowy, fo sho. Clare Vivier definitely has her finger on the pulse of chic fashion-wares and we can't wait to see her empire of cool continue to expand.
| Clare V. // www.clarev.com |
HOW THEY GLOW QUESTIONNAIRE
NAME: Clare Vivier
NICKNAME: C. Vivs and my family calls me Angie.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP: St. Paul, Minnesota
WHEN YOU ARE EATING HEALTHY, WHAT IS A TYPICAL…
BREAKFAST: A banana with peanut butter and a hard boiled egg.
LUNCH: A salad with chicken on it.
DINNER: A vegetable soup that my husband makes.
SNACK: Apples with tahini sauce.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO EAT HEALTHY? Forage in Silverlake, Sqirl, Café Gratitude and Moon Juice.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE? Red wine.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PALCES/RESTAURANTS TO INDULGE? My new favorite restaurant is Chi Spacca and Petit Trois for Steak Frites or the Omelet.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL ON EARTH? Probably chips and salsa or chips and guacamole.
WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU COOK/YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE? My favorite recipe is the caramelized black pepper chicken from Slanted Door in San Francisco.
WHERE DO YOU GROCERY SHOP IN LA?
Gelsons, Trader Joes and Whole Foods.
WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS REGIMEN? (how often & what you do) I go to pilates 2-3/week and take long hikes 3x/week.
WHAT IS YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE? (products, facials, etc) I’m currently searching for new products, but the products I’m using right now are: Fresh Seaberry Face Oil Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Milk Restorsea Reviving Cleanser Weleda Pomegranate Firming Night Cream Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum & Reparative Moisturizer Decleor Essential Night Balm
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE NATURAL MAKEUP/ BEAUTY PRODUCTS? Ilia lipstick, RMS Uncover-up and Living Luminizer, Clark’s Botanicals Ultra-Rich Lip Tint.
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 PRODUCTS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU? Any three Aesop products.
WHAT PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY/FITNESS/HEALTHY GURUS DO YOU SWEAR BY? Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness Meditation and Wherever You Go There You Are. I really believe in eating well and being active and conscious of your body, feeding your mind and your body.
TOP 3 FAVORITE SONGS?
1. Angie by the Rolling Stones 2. The Beautiful Ones by Prince 3. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye
MOST LIFE-CHANGING BOOK? Catcher and the Rye and Franny and Zooey by Salinger.
WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? The watch my dad gave me on my 30th birthday, which I wear every day and think of him.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY. It’s usually a Sunday, reading the New York Times in bed, then going for a long hike with Paco and Oscar and going by to visit the stores. A dream is to go to someone’s outdoor terrace at like 4 or 5 and have a glass of rose and then have dinner with friends in someone’s backyard.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE BEUATY TIP/SECRET? I learned from Kristie Streicher to let your brows grow in to really see their natural shape and to use a brow pencil and brow gel – it really makes a huge difference.
WHAT MAKES YOU GLOW? I’m happy getting to live any portion of that ideal day, loving what I do and loving my job, and playing games with Oscar.
Photography by: Emily Knecht