I was first introduced to work of Marc Marmel by Gay L. Harwin, who is in addition to being one of the most influential attorneys in Los Angeles, also one of the chicest women I know. Over lunch one day, I took a particular liking to her luxuriously worn Herman bag and asked about its provenance which led to the revelation that the bag had been designed by Marc Marmel, a name that up until that point I had no familiarity with whatsoever. Subsequent to that conversation, Mme Harwin introduced me to the designer himself and a new love affair was born.

Sitting in Marmel’s unassuming showroom in Los Angeles on my first visit after that fortuitous introduction, I had the opportunity to view the designer’s collection in full, an experience which in conjunction with Marmel’s detailed description of the loving care that goes into the production of each bag, only cemented my passion for all things Marc Marmel.

Fittingly, the inspiration for the former CAA agent turned designer’s first collection was born on a trip to the French Riviera where Marmel realized that there was a niche for a line of luggage that hearkened back to the golden era of travel, where style extended beyond the mere head to toe but also to the bags with which one traveled. From that flash of inspiration, Marmel created a line of six signature bags, each featuring the cracked Italian calfskin leather and vibrant patterned, hand-designed silk brocade linings that would become his hallmark. Bergdorf Goodman, Harrod’s and Maxfield’s, among others, signed on to carry the line, celebrities including Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Charlize Theron, Cameron Diazand David Beckham snapped up the collection and Marmel was named Accessories Designer of the Year by Fashion Group International, proving that his initial instincts about there being a certain longing for the style of a bygone era could not have been more on point.

I caught up with Marmel post his showing in Paris earlier this year to find out what new treats he had in store for his collection which has grown substantially since its inception and discovered that there is more than a little for stylish travelers to get excited about. First up, there’s the new black ‘Moneybag’, a substantial day-bag carryall that was inspired by an actual Wells Fargo Bank money bag and designed with the modern man in mind. It’s the ideal thing for an overnight trip.

“I like the idea of turning at utilitarian bag into something more elegant.”Marmel explained of his creation at my request. “[The Moneybag is very functional… [and]… it goes with my style of vintage inspired pieces.” Ditto for the newish Dopp Kit bag, a classic take on a men’s valet bag, which boasts a thoroughly modern zip out plastic bottom and a classic design borrowed from a favorite piece that belonged to Marmel’s grandfather, which was subsequently lost and reborn in the current collection almost out of sheer necessity.

For the ladies, there’s a new Cigar Duffle and a mini-version of the popular Jaxx bag, both of which are perfectly elegant travel accoutrements. Meanwhile for the home, Marmel has designed picture frames and photo albums reminiscent of old Englsh manors and libraries, rightly pointing out that “the look [of his collection] lends itself to anything home-related.”

In addition to new pieces, some old favorites like the Rolling Bag have been reimagined and improved, while more exciting designs are on the horizon. Next up is backpack inspired by the rucksacks carried by French children en route to boarding school and a new piece Marmel casually describes as “a really cool simple soft shoulder bag with a flap for women.” That said, though the shape is basic, Marmel says “the dimensions [of the new bag] are perfect. It kind of resembles a pocket. No hardware.”

A wine caddy with enough capacity for several bottles of wine and a“Deux Pad” which will accommodate both an iPad and a traditional note pad that Marmel promises will bring the “old and new worlds together” are also in the works.

No, you may not have heard the name Marc Marmel before now but from this point forward, I feel relatively confident that you will be glad that you have.

Marc Marmel is available at A’MAREE’S  through  www.farfetch.com.  Find out more about Marc Marmel at www.MarcMarmel.com.

To read this post on the Huffington Post click here.

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Here’s my thing…most people either travel for work or for pleasure. But no matter what the reason, is there ever any reason not to travel in style? I think not. (And if that surprises you, then you’ve clearly never read this blog).

Now…Anybody who knows me knows full well that I love a scarf and that I’ll tell anyone who will listen that scarves are, in my less than humble opinion, the penultimate fashion accessory for folks who travel. In fact, I think a few good scarves are the first items everyone should always pack, no matter what the season. After all, who looks bad in a scarf? It is one of the few universal items that work for everybody except the seriously style-challenged for whom there is little help to begin with.

That said, without further adieu….

Lovers of all things luxe, allow me to introduce you to Denis Colomb, one of the hottest names in luxury goods that you may have never heard of. A superior assortment of elegant cashmere blankets, throws, shawls, scarves and sweaters that are hand-woven in Nepal from the threads of the rarest goats in the Asian Highlands and then hand-spun by Nepalese women, the Denis Colomb Lifestyle collection has glitterati the world over buzzing for all the right reasons.

Not only are Denis Colomb scarves the kind of signature items that can take an ensemble from day to evening or add sparkle to a series of functional but boring all black travel ensembles, the collection’s cashmere throws and blankets can make a flight in coach chic or turn fellow first or business class passengers emerald green with envy.

A-list actress and style icon, Nicole Kidman is a fan of Denis Colomb’s chic cashmere scarves, which make the perfect accessory for chilly transatlantic flights. And so is diminutive fashionista Mary-Kate Olsen who has been snapped by the paparazzi casually sporting one of Colomb’s creations as an accoutrement to her Boho chic style. Even the legendary Rolling Stones ordered up a passel of the company’s downy soft cashmere travel blankets for their private plane.

And, just in case these celebrity endorsements are not enough to drive the opulent point home, legend also has it that after catching a glimpse of one of the Denis Colomb Lifestyle collection’s cashmere travel blankets on a flight from Paris to Los Angeles, one powerhouse Hollywood agent became so taken with the luxurious item that she demanded that she have it immediately…even though it was three years old at the time and the personal property of Mr. Denis Colomb himself.

Such is the fervor inspired by the sophisticated offerings that are the brainchild of the über creative duo of noted French architectural designer, Denis Colomb, and his wife, acclaimed photographer Erica Lennard, who together are the driving force behind the brand.

Speaking of fervor, you can feel enthusiastically warm and fuzzy inside about donning an item from Denis Colomb Lifestyle collection because this is a line that embodies that oh so scarce combination of luxury and social conscience. Rather than going to the garment district or to China, Denis and Erica made the conscious decision to produce their line in fair trade workshops in poverty-stricken Nepal.

In these workshops, Denis worked with factory owners to not only devise his own color palette and his own styles, but also to teach them about things like quality control in what is a growing process that provides untold benefits on a grassroots level. Bravo. Now I ask you…Is there anything better than style produced with heart?

Besides, like great accessories, if there’s one thing the world can do with more of, it’s fine cashmere accessories. I dare you to disagree.

Find out more at: www.deniscolomb.com

MoxieQ Rating:  Luxe Overboard

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