Fashion Reverie Exclusive: The House of Borel

 Are you tired of disposable fashion? You know bad, often inexpensive, clothes that are based on a trend that will only last one season, if that. Disposable fashion trends that misguided souls inject into their wardrobes but never really get picked up by the mass market for more than a season.

If market indications are true, discerning consumers have moved away from disposable fashion. And unfortunately, fashion’s ‘It’ girls are going to need something else to put on the Instagram and Twitter feeds than the trendiest jacket, skinny pant or accessory.

The House of Borel is positioning itself to take advantage of this new shift toward quality product that is not based on trend and consumer whims. This luxury handbag line is conceptualized, developed and designed to perfection by San Francisco–based artists.  Each collection caters to the modern woman, enabling them to feel as if each handbag was made just for them

Fashion Reverie was fortunate to tale to brand representative Charlotte Welch during New York Fashion Week: The Shows spring 2016. And if you love Michael Costello, the House of Borel bags are becoming a mainstay accessory in his runway shows. Spring 2016 was no exception.

Fashion Reverie: Tell me about the House of Borel and how did the brand come about?

Charlotte Welch: Our signature look is a Borel blue that we feature in a lot of our handbag designs. We are completely unbranded, meaning we like to use skins, color and the texture to brand our handbags.  We don’t place our brand name or logo on the exterior because we want the actual craftsmanship of the bag and the women’s individual style to shine through. That is a big part of our design aesthetic.

The brand came about because Claire Borel wanted to create a brand that she could get behind that believes in the timeless, classic ideas around accessories. In other words, classic heirloom pieces that women would want to buy and keep in their closets because these handbags can be paired with lots of items in their wardrobe. And these classic handbags can be passed on to the next generation of friends and family.

There has been a shift in fashion away from trends that barely lasts a season, creating what fashion insiders sometimes deem ‘disposable fashion.’ We wanted quality to be the reason for the value and we wanted the pieces to timelessly speak for themselves.

FR: That said; living in a culture of disposable fashion and short-term gains, how in the House of Borel achieving market viability with timeless handbags in a fashion market that is antithetical to the core values of the company?

Charlotte Welch: We really believe in the product and we are getting a lot of traction from retailers who are looking for accessories that are timeless, have great quality, a distinctive DNA, and an authentic vibe. We are looking to launch in distinctive, specialty stores in the spring of 2016.

That said; buyers are interested in our product because consumers are demanding product that is timeless and sustainable. The new, trendy thing is not so fashionable anymore as consumers are looking for more quality and value, a product that goes beyond seasons that can be mixed and matched with a variety of garments the entire calendar year.

FR: How much would a consumer be investing in House of Borel handbags?

Charlotte Welch: It is a real investment. But the product stands the test of time because of its real value. Our product is made in factories that have been around for generations. Our bags range in price from $700–$8000. So, these handbags are for women who understand and want value.  Our bags are very chic, utilitarian, and made for the modern woman’s hectic lifestyle. We have one particular bag that easily transitions from a backpack to a handbag and can hold your I-Pad and I-Phone.

FR: Are your bags seasonally transitional?

Charlotte Welch: Yes, they are. We focus a lot on color for that reason. The choice of skins, textures and richness of hues are selected to appeal to women who are looking for handbags that can go from one season to the next.

FR: What are The House of Borel signature silhouettes?

Charlotte Welch: We are really small, exclusive brand and at this point we are not mass-producing. We are creating bags that speak to a lot of different women who are looking for a variety of style, silhouettes, colors, and textures.

FR: What particular skins are signature skins to the House of Borel?

Charlotte Welch: Some of our signature skins are anaconda and crocodile. Those two textures are so unique and special for the House of Borel. We do use some exotic skins, like stingray, and we will possibly be using stingray in the future.

FR: How did the collaboration with Michael Costello come about?

Charlotte Welch: I have known Michael Costello for the last five years. I have been an assistant and stylist to his runway shows since his first appearance on “Project Runway All Stars.”  I am now the Vice President of his company as well as a fashion representative for the House of Borel. Similar to the House of Borel, Michael believes in authentic fashion ideals paired with innovation. Michael trained with Bob Mackie—which is why you get his expert acuity with cutouts and illusions—and everything is handmade in his studio in Los Angeles.

Michael really believes in authenticity and beautiful silhouettes, as well as making garments that can be customized. Because there was this similar stream of consciousness between the two of us around fashion, marrying the House of Borel to Michael Costello’s design aesthetic was an easy fit.

FR: What was Michael Costello’s inspiration for his spring 2016 collection and how does your brand complement his inspiration?

Charlotte Welch: Michael’s inspiration for spring 2016 was a very confident, modern woman who is sultry and edgy, kind of like a modern-day Lauren Hutton who has a sophisticated air. She is a fierce individual who is also well rounded with lots of responsibilities.

There is a 70’s hip vibe to the collection and our handbags piggyback on the 70s aesthetic, realizing that the modern woman has a very busy day and she may need to pack her handbag for a very long day. So, you will see in the collection fierce, but feminine jumpsuits accessorized by our handbags. Our handbags will encompasses everything from power business clutches to fashion-forward backpacks to very stylish handbags in traditional silhouettes.

FR: Who is your consumer?

Charlotte Welch: Our customer is a woman who has made it her life by following her passion and her own sense of style and her own identity. This woman wants a brand to reflect her lifestyle, not the other way around. She is her own brand. That said; she is not interested in monograms or logos on her clothing or accessories. And she expands a wide age demographic from early 30s and upward.

FR: Where is House of Borel available?

Charlotte Welch: House of Borel is available only online at our e-commerce store. For more information, go to houseofborel.com.

—William S. Gooch