Clare V

Clare Vivier launched Clare V in Los Angeles in 2008, starting with a simple portfolio case that she designed because she could not find what she wanted in the existing market. The French-California aesthetic that became the brand’s identity reflects Vivier’s background: she grew up in Northern California, has a French surname from her husband, and the design sensibility she developed blends the structured practicality of French leather goods with the relaxed, color-forward quality that LA independent design produces when it is not trying to imitate New York or Paris.

The handbag collection is organized around shapes that are clean enough to carry across contexts: a simple tote, a structured top-handle, a crossbody, and the pouch in various sizes that has become one of the brand’s most identifiable formats. The Flat Clutch, the Fold-Over Clutch, and the Petit Henri tote are among the signature shapes that appear consistently in the collection with variations in color and fabric. The color range is one of the more interesting aspects of the design: Clare V plays with unexpected colors and combinations at a level that most leather goods brands avoid, which gives the collection a specificity that allows the customer to find something that expresses a personal preference rather than defaulting to the safe neutrals that dominate the category.

The scarves are a notable category in the Clare V range, carrying illustrated prints and woven patterns that extend the brand’s visual sensibility into a product that functions as an accessory or as wall art in the format of the print scarf. The illustration quality is high enough that the scarves have independent appeal beyond the accessory function. Wallets, card cases, and small leather accessories complete a range that covers most of what a woman carries on her person.

The Wisconsin Avenue location at 1238 puts Clare V on the upper stretch of Georgetown’s Wisconsin Avenue above N Street, in a section that has developed as a constellation of independent boutiques and smaller brand flagships separate from the main M Street commercial center. The surrounding retailers on this stretch of Wisconsin are similarly scaled to the boutique format, which creates a shopping environment that rewards the deliberate visitor rather than the passing foot traffic.

Georgetown’s professional female demographic is well-matched to the Clare V price point and aesthetic. The bag prices run from approximately $250 for the smaller pouches to $400-$600 for the larger handbag formats, which places them above the accessible fashion market and below the luxury tier. For the Georgetown customer who wants a well-made leather bag with a distinctive aesthetic that is not a logo-forward luxury brand, Clare V occupies that position.

The phone and hours vary seasonally; the website at clarev.com carries current information. For customers who want to see the full color range of a specific shape before purchasing, the Wisconsin Avenue store is the practical resource, since the online product photography does not always render colors accurately enough for a decision at this price point.