Vittoria is the kind of woman who gives you a piccolo of champagne after a long lunch. For the road, she adds. Vittoria works at the headquarters of Shoebaloo, the most exclusive shoe chain (although the word shoe chain sounds way too ordinary), and is surrounded by everything Alaïa, Louboutin, Fendi, Aquazzura, and so on. It's not surprising that we have an incredibly high expectation of her bag collection. Take it away…
How many bags do you have?
‘A LOT! I like to keep the exact number a secret (my husband reads this too). My best excuse is that it comes with my work. That always works, but it's also really true. From shoppers to the most beautiful clutches, they make me happy and I have the most beautiful ones styled in my closet so I can look at them often. I cherish the classics and many have a story that belongs to, for example, a beautiful time. I bought my first real bag when I was still studying and working part-time at Shoebaloo. It was from Gucci and I bought it with a lot of pain and effort in the sale. I wore it until there was no handle left and the bottom was almost falling out, but I still have it. Or the Baguette from Fendi with beads that came along when we had an amazing weekend in Paris. Recently, I went to my cousin's wedding in Naples and the clutch I carried that day and evening now holds a beautiful memory.‘
What is the story behind this bag?
‘Where I go, my Fendi 3Jours goes! I was looking for a bag that is both feminine and tough at the same time. It had to be business-like, but I also wanted to be able to combine it with jeans and a T-shirt, and it needs to be able to handle a few kilometers. As an area manager, I am often on the road and visit not only our branches in Amsterdam but also the branches in Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Maastricht. I always have my MacBook Air with me; it needs to fit in. With the 3Jours from Fendi, it was love at first sight. Most slightly larger bags are just so serious and boring, but this one has it all. This season, the monsters from Fendi are absolutely amazing. They are loose bag charms in bright colors that you can hang on your bag.’
How do you handle your bag?
‘Besides being very careful with my bags, I find it incredible how good the quality of this bag is. The shape and the leather remain fantastic.’
What about the content?
‘The contents are just fine, I have virtually the same (basic) contents daily: my MacBook Air, my phone, wallet, makeup bag, perfume, keys, and the nail polish color I have on. Additionally, I have a small quirk. I always attribute it to my Italian roots (Neapolitan father) where superstition plays a big role in daily life. So I always have two shells at the bottom of my bag, found by my boys on the beach during our annual vacation in Puglia. The enthusiasm with which they found those and gave them to me are lucky moments for me. By now, every bag I have contains shells. It's a good thing the boys love snorkeling.’
What do you always have with you?
‘My MacBook Air so, my phone, wallet, makeup bag, perfume, keys, and the nail polish color I have on AND the lucky shells.’
What do you think are the best features of a bag?
‘If I translate it to myself, for my work it must be not only beautiful but also fashionable, functional, sexy, and tough. The handles must be long enough to carry the bag on my arm. For the evening, it must be exclusively beautiful and preferably with some kind of handle or strap. I love a party and a drink. When it gets really late and there’s still dancing to be done, I throw my hands in the air only to find out at the end of the night that I have not only lost my grip but also my clutch with everything in it (really happened)!’
Which one is still on your wishlist?
‘Every time Martin (our buyer) comes back from buying and we go through the photos in the office of what he has bought for the new season, something goes on my wishlist. I am of course incredibly spoiled to work with all those beautiful brands. But at the top of my list is still the Chanel 2.55 Flap Bag in black with gold metal hardware.’
