Fab Find

Tiffany & Co. expands into leather goods and Jennifer Aniston takes note

Jennifer Aniston with a TRT: Tiffany reversible tote, large, in espressosuede/metallic leather
Tiffany Vivian clutches (from top): navy pleated nappa leather (large), burgundybeaded nappa leather (large), onyx beaded nappa leather (small), $1,295, $995,$1,295 respectively
Richard Lambertson and John Truex, design directors of Tiffany LeatherCollection
Photo by Byran Derballa
Tiffany reversible totes, large, in suede/metallic leather (from left): pesto,light walnut, $595 each

In the eclectic world of handbags, you know you've made it when a celebrity is spotted carrying a tote you designed. So it's no surprise that Richard Lambertson and John Truex were pleased when Jennifer Aniston was recently photographed with a tote they created for Tiffany & Co.

Yes, Tiffany's.

While most shoppers associate the luxury retailer with precious jewels and the iconic Audrey Hepburn movie, it has recently expanded into leather goods in a big way. After acquiring the deluxe leather goods company Lambertson Truex two years ago, Tiffany officials retained former owners Lambertson and Truex to create deluxe handbags, wallets, gloves and other leather items with appeal to its discerning clientele.

"It was a great marriage. Our attention to detail and craftmanship is perfect for an iconic American brand," said Lambertson, during a recent Houston visit to showcase the collection at the Tiffany Galleria store.

The Houston woman "is sophisticated, well-traveled, up-to-date on trends. She's very independent."

For fall, the duo has introduced 30 new styles. They include the Vivian, a vintage-looking leather clutch dotted with silver beads, and the Genevieve, a classic handbag that comes in a variety of materials and styles. Many of the handbags are lined in the iconic Tiffany robin egg blue fabric.

"The Tiffany customer has embraced the collection because they trust the brand," Truex said. "With Tiffany, what we do is what they do: Attention to quality, attention to detail, produced in the best factories and fairly priced in the market, not exorbitant."

The collection ranges from a small reversible tote (silver on one side, Tiffany blue on the other) for $395 to an alligator handbag, at $21,000. "There's something for everybody," Truex said.

The duo, currently on a cross-country tour to showcase the bags in Tiffany stores, said they enjoy meeting customers and finding out their different needs. "Just because you might be a career woman doesn't mean you don't need a sleek clutch for evening," Lambertson noted.

And they believe handbags and other leather goods are a natural extension of a wardrobe for a women who appreciates fine jewelry.

Before selling the business to Tiffany, they were familiar with Houston, where their Lambertson Truex line was carried at Neiman Marcus and Joseph. Their thoughts on the Houston woman?

"She is sophisticated, well-traveled, up-to-date on trends. She's very independent," Truex said. "This collection is perfect for the Houston woman because she's her own fashion leader."

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UNIFORM UTOPIA

Luxury scrubs brand FIGS opens first Texas location in Rice Village

Photo courtesy of FIGS

FIGS will open its new Rice Village Community Hub on December 6.

Healthcare apparel company FIGS is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Texas with a new Community Hub in Rice Village. The retail space is designed to serve both as a store and a gathering spot for the city's healthcare community.

The Rice Village location opens this Saturday, December 6, with a public grand opening event on December 13 from 6 to 8 pm featuring giveaways, music, food, and drinks from local vendors. Joining outposts in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City, the Houston location is the fourth Community Hub for the company and the only location in the South.

The store will carry the full range of FIGS products, including scrubwear, loungewear, and accessories. It will also host events and programming focused on healthcare topics, offering visitors opportunities to meet and share experiences.

At the new FIGS boutique, shoppers will find the Color Clinic, offering scrubwear in core colors with rotating seasonal options. The store also has a Customization Station, which provides embroidery for names, titles, practice or hospital logos, and local icon options available only at Community Hubs. Personalization is also available for scrub caps, outerwear, and accessories.

FiGS The new FIGS store will offer a Color Clinic and Customization Station to let shoppers personalize their FIGS uniforms. Photo courtesy of FIGS/Instagram

The brand, founded in 2013 by Heather Hasson and Trina Spear, is known for fashion-forward medical uniforms made from a proprietary fabric with four-way stretch, antimicrobial technology, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle resistance. Hasson and Spear began selling directly to healthcare workers in Los Angeles-area hospital parking lots before growing their presence as an online retailer.

CEO and co-founder Trina Spear believes Rice Village was the perfect choice due to its proximity to the Texas Medical Center. She said the company wanted a space that supports Houston healthcare professionals and gives them a place to shop and connect.

"Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, and we are honored to bring a FIGS Community Hub to this city. This space is designed to serve and celebrate Houston healthcare professionals," said Spear. "Our Community Hubs create opportunities for customers to not only shop in a way that never previously existed, but to connect with each other and with FIGS on a deeper level."

FIGS Community Hub, 5515 Kelvin Dr., Suite 130, 77005

figs scrubs figs rice village figs houston

Fab Find

Tiffany & Co. expands into leather goods and Jennifer Aniston takes note

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