Handbag Heaven

Handbag designer details hot colors, best style advice and biggest fashion mistake

More than 30 years ago, Joan and Bill Martin came up with the idea of creating sophisticated handbags with Italian flair at reasonable prices (most remain under $400). They picked the name Brahmin because it reflected their New England roots and had an old-school ring to it.

The business, which began in the basement of their Massachusettes home, has grown into a retail juggernaut, found in many department stores (including Dillard's, Macy's and Nordstrom) and in company-owned retail shops in Dallas, Atlanta, Birmingham and Newport, Rhode Island.

In advance of a personal appearance at Dillard's in The Woodlands Mall on Friday to tout the Brahmin Tuscan Tri-texture Collection, Joan Martin talked about hot handbag colors for fall, biggest fashion mistakes and best style advice in an email conversation.

CultureMap: Why has Brahmin been successful?

Joan Martin: Because we have always listened to our customers. I began by designing handbags that were functional and beautiful. I then went into the market and studied how women used our handbags, what they liked, what they wanted to be better, what we could do to improve and most importantly, what they wanted and couldn’t find.

Then, finally I started creating things that they didn’t know they wanted yet but adore them when they have them, like the jewelry pocket or Brahmin’s signature strap extender. We continue to deliver exceptional quality and beautifully unique handbags that people love.

CM: What is your most popular item?

JM: Our signature Melbourne embossed croco leather has been a customer favorite for many years. We offer it in many different colors that highlight the beautiful texture and different details of the leather. Each Brahmin is handcrafted – both stitched and painted — that people really appreciate and collect them.

"I love getting to wear test our handbags, so I am constantly trading in a new style or color."

I was very cautious when I bought the first Brahmin croco in Italy in the early 1980s. People responded enthusiastically but I still wasn’t sure how long I should continue it. I soon became absolutely in love with the incredibly beautiful hand coloring on our Italian croco, and soon learned, done properly, if the croco looked good in the leather factory it would be a bag people would love.

I have cornered this market. Our teams understand using croco on bag is an art — no one is better, from our “plain” Melbourne to mixed media (combining Melbourne with two other textures and corks). I am proud that we center each panel of a bag and even match the inside collars — check it out!

CM: What is the hot color for handbags this fall?

JM: A dark rich red is very big this season. It feels exceptionally "fall" and pairs well with some many outfits. Brahmin’s black cherry color is the perfect color to show off this trend.

CM: How did the Tuscan Tri-Collection collaboration with Dillard's come about?

JM: We have a long-standing relationship with Dillard's. They have been a great partner to the brand. We decided to highlight this partnership by putting together Brahmin Week at Dillard’s. In addition to our event in the Woodlands store, I will also be hosting an event at Dillard’s in Baton Rouge on Saturday.

CM: How many handbags do you own? Do you have a favorite?

JM: Too many to count! I love getting to "wear test" our handbags, so I am constantly trading in a new style or color. One of my favorite shapes is the Vivian. It is such a classic ladylike bag. I also love the new Carina — which is the perfect bag for evening — that can be a clutch or has a detachable shoulder strap.

CM: What is your best piece of style advice?

JM: Be your best self – find your best look, nod to trends but don’t let them rule you!

CM: What is the biggest fashion mistake a person makes?

JM: Dressing a part instead of being their true self — and not owning an elegant handbag.

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Joan Martin will make a personal appearance at the Dillard's Woodlands store Friday from 11 am until 2 pm. She will be at the Dillard's in Baton Rouge on Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm.

Brahmin handbag designer Joan Martin.

Courtesy photo

Brahmin handbag designer Joan Martin.

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TAILORED TRADITION

Cult-favorite French denim brand Chevignon makes U.S. debut in Houston

Photo courtesy of Chevignon

Chevignon’s Galleria boutique marks the brand’s first-ever store in the United States, launching its Texas-focused expansion plan.

Heritage denim brand Chevignon has arrived in Houston, introducing its cult-loved leather jackets and customizable jeans to a new boutique in the Galleria. Known for its rugged style, the French-born label is expanding its presence in the U.S. with a store designed to appeal to loyal brand aficionados and fashion-forward newcomers. The outpost is complete with an in-store Denim & Repair Shop offering complimentary tailoring and one-of-a-kind customization.

Located on the second level adjacent to the Westin Hotel, the new outpost is modeled after the brand's most successful stores in Bogotá and Medellín. At over 2,100 square feet, customers can expect a spacious and well-lit shopping experience. Light colored floors with handsome dark features lend themselves to the masculine energy of the store. The spacious fitting rooms, complete with lounge seating and oversized mirrors, make trying on the latest styles comfortable.

The brand was founded in 1979 by Guy Azoulay, who was obsessed with American fashion, in particular the leather aviator jacket. With decades of success in Latin America and a massive following in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, Chevignon is widely known for its leather jackets, down coats, and denim.

Comparable to Levi's or All Saints, a pair of jeans typically starts at around $130, while a leather jacket retails between $400 and $600. The brand offers denim, outerwear, footwear, and accessories with collections divided to focus 70 percent on menswear and the remaining 30 percent on women's styles.

Chevignon's expansion into the U.S. was three years in the making. With broadening brand recognition at the forefront, expansion plans include opening 10 additional boutiques by 2030 in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth. These new stores will round out their portfolio to 102 brick-and-mortar stores, along with several partnerships in other large-format locations.

Chevignon denim repair Chevignon’s in-store Denim & Repair Shop offers complimentary tailoring and custom patches for truly personalized jeans and jackets.Photo courtesy of Chevignon

"When it came time to think about locations in Texas, Houston came to mind. We thought about the Houston rodeo, and we knew the city was right for the brand," Chevignon brand manager, Diego Alvarez Salazar, tells CultureMap. "We wanted to be part of the place where people were moving to and investing in, and that was in Texas."

One of the stand-out offerings at Chevignon is their Denim & Repair Shop. Customers who purchase denim are treated to complimentary, bespoke tailoring to ensure the best possible fit. The store also offers a wide selection of patches, pins, and accessories to completely customize leather and denim jackets, as well as jeans. While there is a cost for the accessories themselves, the complimentary customization services ensure a one-of-a-kind look for every customer.

"I always tell people that my first 'grown-up' pair of jeans was from Chevignon," says Bogotá-native, Luisa Babarczy. "Their denim is something that lasts forever. Now that they are here in Houston, I am so happy to be able to buy my daughter her first Chevignon denim jacket."

Photo courtesy of Chevignon

Chevignon’s Galleria boutique marks the brand’s first-ever store in the United States, launching its Texas-focused expansion plan.

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