[halves]
[/halves]
[halves]
[/halves]
Excuse me while I test out my new Nikon D850 on my latest handbag purchase, the Gabriela Hearst Diana bag in python. If you recall from my InstaStories, I first fell in love with the brand the first week of October when a new-to-me line of handbags appeared on NET-A-PORTER’s New Arrivals section. I had seen Gabriela’s clothes on the site before, but I had NO idea she also crafted an exquisite selection of handbags! It wasn’t but a week later that Her Royal Highness, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wore the very same bag I had shared on my InstaStories! Clearly, she’s got great taste… You can see/shop Meghan Markle’s look here on Sussex Style Watch. Meghan also wore a customized dress by the same label on the Royal Tour!
Anyway, on my most recent trip to New York City, I was determined to make just one shopping stop. While my mom and sister were anxious to shop around Bergdorf’s and Barney’s, I was eager to visit the new flagship boutique of my latest designer crush. At the time of my visit, the store had only been open a month and wasn’t even showing up in Google map search results yet! The Gabriela Hearst website lists the address, luckily (which is 985 Madison Avenue, btw). The store sits on the same block as Vera Wang and The Carlyle Hotel, in a beautiful, well-lit – yet sparsely decorated – space. It’s all white walls and wood accents, with contrasting square-tiled floors. It’s basically the perfect backdrop for displaying her gorgeous pieces!
While the Nina bag (the style Meghan wore) is the one that originally caught my eye, I fell head over heels in love with the ladylike look of the Diana bag. It’s unique, accordion shape gives it almost an “other world”, retro feel. Something that could belong in the 50’s or appear on the show the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, am I right? While all the colorways are stunning, it’s the black and white python that made the most powerful statement. Timeless, versatile, sophisticated, feminine… all the things I want out of a handbag.
Also, I found out the reason I wasn’t aware of the bags until October is because Gabriela Hearst does not sell her bags anywhere but her own stores. Not online, not at department stores… the only reason they were on NET-A-PORTER was because they had partnered with the luxury e-tailer for a two-week charitable campaign for Save The Children! The bags were only available for purchase on the site for two weeks, and now you can only buy them in Gabriela Hearst boutiques. I love that these bags are not readily available and mass-produced. It makes the purchase feel even more unique!
Anyway, I hope you all will add the Gabriela Hearst boutique on Madison to your list of stops to visit while shopping around New York on your next trip! You can also find a list of department stores and boutiques where her clothes are sold here. Shop her current collection on NET-A-PORTER now!
