At a time when over-the-top fashion seems silly, and luxury feels so right, investment pieces are the way to go. And while the new Target in Emeryville will soon be housing luxury-meets-mainstream Missoni for Target, in the same neighborhood a true luxury brand is in the making: Basil Racuk.
Inspired by California, these handcrafted leather accessories embody modern simplicity. Crafted from fine skins and vintage linings, each piece is a one-of-a-kind and takes about four to eight weeks to produce. Built in the designer's Emeryville studio, Bay Area-raised Racuk works with each customer, enhancing the luxury experience. "Luxury is about time. I make each piece slowly and to last. Meticulousness requires time, an investment; and time is increasingly rare, it is special. I'm also interested in the histories and techniques of craftspeople and artisans, and I use both artisan tools and techniques to create true heirloom leather pieces."
A testament to the designer's adoration of California, the 2011 collection was photographed at the soulful surf town of Bolinas. Polish meets peace in a misty world surrounded by lush greens and laid back dwellings. According to Racuk, "This collection was inspired by travel. Travel is glamorous, expansive. It shapes us. I'm introducing a new item now: A dopp kit produced in buffalo. The piece is inspired by the spirit of the West. I want all the pieces to come to clients with narratives; then, I want them to add on their own stories and make the accessories absolutely their own."
Images courtesy of Kelsey Winterkorn. Â
Basil Racuk, available at Bergdorf Goodman and Leffot in New York and online at basilracuk.com
Samantha Durbin (sami.7x7@gmail.com) is a lifestyle writer who honed her blogging skills as Editor of FabSugar.com. Samantha graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology, and also writes for San Francisco magazine and Gilt City.
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