Friends For 10: Clare Vivier

Recently, a business strategist asked us what brands we look up to. Without consulting each other, Kathryn and I both put Clare V. on our list. In today’s trend-driven world, there are few fashion businesses that embody a clarity of vision (Vive la France!), signature identity (easy-to-wear leather goods), and social engagement (running marathons for a cause), like Clare Vivier does. Clare is the brains, creative genius, and passion behind her namesake accessories and lifestyle brand. We have admired her Los Angeles-based vertical production since her launch, and we girl-crushed hard when we visited her Silverlake offices a few years back, where the sense of community was palpable, and the volume of the business incredibly impressive.

We are suckers for Clare’s clean shapes with their French influence, and for her bright, perfectly-curated store interiors, which we oftentimes find ourselves pinning to our inspiration boards. We’re such fans of this line that is at once directional and democratic, luxurious yet made for every day, and totally transportive (we all want to be chic Parisians, right?). Thank you Clare for being an inspiration and also a friend for 10.

Q & A:

 

1. Are you a Lizzie (creative) or a Kathryn (business)?

CV: I’m a Lizzie who also has to be a Kathryn because I started my own business.

2. We just celebrated our 10 year anniversary (crazy, right?). What’s your favorite (personal) milestone that you’ve experienced in the last 10 years?

CV: I’m celebrating my 10 year anniversary too! We are 10-year twins and I’m very happy that we’ll be able to have each other to compare notes for the next 10 years of our businesses!

3. What is your favorite Lizzie Fortunato piece from the Fall’18 collection?

CV: The Seaside Pearl Earrings are my favorite earrings this fall.

4. What is your favorite way to style statement jewelry?

CV: Statement jewelry is an easy way to dress up a simple outfit - jeans and a t-shirt with gorgeous earrings or a big necklace is very chic.

5. What is your favorite accessory (this could be a belt / a watch / a pet / whatever!); Why?

CV: My favorite accessory currently is my green snake Yvette bag because it’s like a large piece of jewelry.

Worlds Collide: Clare Vivier and the Seaside Pearl Earrings

 

6. We’re all about original dressers...what’s the weirdest thing in your closet? How do you accessorize it?

CV: My vintage black feather vest is something that hangs on the outside of my closet door because I don’t want to smash it, and also because it is like a piece of art. I wear it about one time a year, but when I do it always hits the spot for fabulous. It is perfect with bare arms and a big bracelet.

7. What is the oldest accessory in your closet?

CV: I probably have some really old vintage jewelry, but I love my “vintage” Rolex from the 80s that my father gave me when I turned 30. It was vintage then too!

8. What is the most random thing in your purse right now? 

CV: So many random things because I just got back from a trip - my passport, receipts from Italy, a boarding pass from SF - LA, Italian gum, and too many pens.

9.  I AM A “_____” [INSERT OCCUPATION HERE] AND I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT ______:

CV: Designer; Making things that make people happy!

10. What gets you out of bed in the AM?

CV: Life, my family, and my work.

11. Secret to your success:

CV: Showing up.

 

 

12. My first job was at a:

CV: Yogurt shop.

13. What are you doing tomorrow? 

CV: Coming to the office, having meetings, one of which involves re-doing our “about us” on our website; after work I’m having dinner with two girlfriends and going to a Nate Berkus event.

14. Beach or Mountains? 

CV: Mountains - strange to say since I live in LA, but I think it’s true because I love to hike more than surf.

15. Up Early or Up Late?

 CV: Up late, but I actually think I’m a morning person - so I’d like to work on this.

16. One item you can't travel without:

CV: Earplugs and an eye mask - the key to a good night's sleep!

17. Small but impactful advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs:

CV: Focus on your own business, not your competitors.

 

 

"I’m celebrating my 10 year anniversary too! We are 10-year twins and I’m very happy that we’ll be able to have each other to compare notes for the next 10 years of our businesses!"