While
Bryanboy was busy catching shows of major fashion houses during womenswear in Paris, I went to the atelier of Belgian- born, Paris- based designer Jonathan Riss of Jay Ahr with our friend Stephanie, (it was actually her idea over afternoon tea at the Crillon *oooh I miss that!*– she thought I’d be very interested to look at Jonathan’s bags).
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| Shot in Jonathan’s Atelier. It was really quite an experience to be there! |
*I love that she thought of me instantly it comes to bags. Stephanie was also the one who re-introduced me to the beautiful world of Mark Cross bags*
When we got to Jay Ahr on rue du 29 Juillet on 1st, I pored over the intricate “double- braided” belts like this one.
Riss also presented some pieces from his Fall/Winter 2011-12 collection which included this exquisite piece
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| Incredible detail! |
And then I saw the bags. Oh wow. I was instantly drawn to the clutches. I have very high regard for craftsmanship, and Jay Ahr’s clutches paid very special attention to detail.
At first glance I couldn’t help but compare this clutch to the signature intrecciato leather of Bottega Veneta. But upon closer look and feel, I can tell you that this is unquestionably a few notches above Bottega in terms of detail.
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| Can I say WOW??? |
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| Intricate detail: leather strips that have been woven and very tightly braided |
Riss has also made city and weekend bags out of the same braided leather:
There’s a very luxurious feel to these bags. I feel though, that the braided leather can be a little too overpowering on bigger bags, so let me go right back to the smaller pieces.
I loooove those same flap clutches in jewel tones! Love, love, love, love, love!!! *Screams: I want one!!!*
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| I can’t even decide which one I like the best– even if I’m partial to purple! |
Jay Ahr also has these oval- shaped minaudieres, somehow also reminiscent of the Bottega Veneta Knot Clutch. I must stress though that these ones by Jay Ahr are far more detailed. I would, without hesitation choose this over a Bottega one.
Bottega minaudieres have become a common sight when it comes to black tie/ dressy affairs, so carrying a Jay Ahr minaudiere or flap clutch will easily make you different from everyone else. And of late, I really like and appreciate being different. I love the feeling of having “discovered” the brand first. 🙂 I feel like the Christopher Columbus of bags hahaha– even if clearly I’m not the first one to discover it, I pathetically pretend I did hahaha *thwaps self*. Oh I fail miserably doing it by the way haha*
On a serious note, I think it’s really a welcome change to be different. These days, many buy bags for the “recognizability” factor *guilty, your honor :D*. While I will always love the logos (I’m no hypocrite: I won’t turn my back on them because that’s what got me loving bags in the first place :D), I also love “brand subtlety”, and Jay Ahr’s bags offer just that– no logos, but the signature here is in the detail and craftmanship. And I also think the fact that you pick a bag because of its exquisite details over the popularity of the brand speaks volumes– that you have evolved, and matured as a bag owner 🙂 *don your bag graduation hat or fascinator and give yourself a pat in the back :D*
Fans of Jay Ahr include celebrities Eva Longoria, Vanessa Paradis, Blake Lively, Heidi Klum (and many more). Oh and here’s a little trivia: Qhy Jonathan Riss named his brand, Jay Ahr, you ask? Answer this: How do you pronounce his initials? 🙂 *Hint: Spell it the way you pronounce it* Brilliantly simple, if you ask me 🙂 *thumbs up*
Jay Ahr Clutches
are stocked at LUISAVIAROMA
x
TheBagHag
