Thursday, January 19, 2012

5 Minutes With…

V. Bruce Hoeksema

VBH, the line of luxury accessories and handbags, owes its name to its designer, V. Bruce Hoeksema. This detail-oriented handbag guru established his talent at Valentino, and left to start his own handbag line in 1999.

Since then, Hoeksema has made a name for himself by providing exclusive, luxury handbags that are made to perfection by hand. Here he shares with us his insights into the industry, the qualities that set the VBH line apart in the competitive world of luxury goods, and even the cadre of friends and famous people who would be present at his fantasy dinner party.

WHAT INSPIRED YOUR INTEREST IN BECOMING A HANDBAG DESIGNER?

I love design in many fields: fashion, architecture, furniture, home objects. I am a very visual and detail-oriented person. I started studying architecture but ended up spending a big piece of my career in fashion. When I started my own design house, I did not want to do clothing. I only loved bags and accessories. It is a nice balance between two of my passions, architecture and fashion.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT TO DATE?

I have had many, so it is difficult to say what is my proudest. Gwyneth Paltrow on the cover of Vogue USA and Australia, and supporters who've worn VBH many times such as Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Obama, Anna Wintour, Sarah Jessica Parker, The Queen of Qatar, Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands.

YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE VBH CREATION IS…

I believe very strongly in every creation in the collection or it would not be included. There are pieces that will appeal to different women for different occasions of their lives. If I had to choose one today, it would be the Brera… tomorrow it will be something else.

IN A FEW SENTENCES, WHAT IS YOUR CORE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY?

Exclusive, true luxury. Beautifully designed products which have a modern edge but that will remain timeless and chic in the years to come. Executed by hand to the highest quality with attention to every detail.

TELL US WHO WOULD BE PRESENT AT YOUR FANTASY DINNER PARTY?

I would have a great mix of people, artists, creative actors, and friends such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Hugh Jackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, and Adam Shulman. I would want a variety of ages and creative actors who have influenced us and impacted our lifetime. Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Onassis, Madonna, Francis Baton, and Picasso.

WHAT LUXURY ITEMS OR PRODUCTS ARE YOU CRAVING AT THE MOMENT?

A painting by Peter Doig. He is an artist that I really admire and I have been looking at his work for some time and have not yet had the opportunity to own a piece yet.

WHAT SETS VBH HANDBAGS APART FROM THE COMPETITION?

They are truly exclusive, with limited editions and quantities, and hand crafted superior quality in every detail. Design, quality, and exclusivity… true luxury in every sense of the word.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR MOST RECENT LINE?

I focus on creating classic, modern, beautiful bags that can satisfy every occasion that a woman needs a bag for. The most recent collection was inspired by the Italian Riviera.

VBH, available at Harvey Nichols, Mall of the Emirates.

by GRACE GORDON