Jérôme Dreyfuss

French luxury designer handbags never seem to go out of style, but for women who prefer to make a more individual statement there’s more treasure to be had in Paris. A handful of designers working in the city are turning out exceptional bags that can be found almost nowhere else—and at less than half the price of international prestige brands, or even less. The bags at Jérôme Dreyfuss may be oh-so-fabulous, but they’re also clever, versatile and durable—a good thing, since they tend to be habit forming. Dreyfuss has a knack for knowing what features a woman wants in a handbag, and isn’t afraid to include every one of them in a single model. His best-seller, the roomy Billy—something between a satchel and a hobo bag—has expandable sides, an outside zip pocket for cell phones and lipstick, inside compartments for easy organization and two sets of straps to be worn in any possible configuration. Although the bags are resolutely casual, with a sort of downtown bohemian chic, the smaller models, like the minuscule Twee, are great for evening. Twee’s long strap is removable, so the bag—with a credit card holder and compact zip pockets—doubles as a wallet, and in black python or gilded calf it would be right at home on a red carpet. Dreyfuss uses only supple leathers—lambskin, goatskin, a wonderfully pliant python—in a range of gorgeous colors including dusky rose, marigold, cognac and a hand-painted camouflage motif. The collection also includes wallets, sunglasses and new selections of leggings and cropped jackets in soft stretch leather.

1 rue Jacob, 6th,01.43.54.70.93; 11 rue de l’Echaudé, 6th, 01.56.24.46.75. website

Originally published in the June 2011 issue of France Today