Thursday, June 4, 2009

New Designers: Paige Gamble


Who: Paige Gamble, 30

What: Her namesake line of bench-made-in-Brooklyn exotic-skin clutches and totes

Why to buy: Gamble believes in building things to last. Her slender alligator clutches—made in rich colors inspired by Thai scarves—are treated to withstand disasters such as hot coffee spills and sloshed champagne.

Where to buy: By appointment at her Upper East Side atelier; Distractions, Aspen; Bellhaus, East Hampton, NY

Lightbulb moment: “While I was a trader at the Bank of New York, I fell in love with a turquoise beaded YSL minaudière. It was sold-out everywhere, so I decided to try to make my own. The rest, as they say…”

Inspiration: “My grandmother. She was always impeccably dressed. Her father was a senator, so she lived in Washington, DC—I just found out she dated Oleg Cassini!”

Extra touches: Gamble likes to travel. This means visiting an artisan in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, who dips fresh orchids in resin (later a flourish for an envelope clutch); discovering a “leather tattooer” in Wyoming; taking trips to China for hand-carved jade; and jetting to the Grand Palace in Bangkok for inspiration.

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