Inside Clare V.: How a DIY Laptop Case Sparked a Handbag Empire 🧵👜 | Emily Blumenthal & Clare Vivier

Handbag Designer 101: The Stories Behind Handbag Designers, Brands, and Industry Icons

In this episode of Handbag Designer 101, we dive into the story of Clare Vivier, the founder behind the effortlessly cool handbag brand Clare V.—a name synonymous with California style and functional fashion. What began as a side hustle crafting chic laptop cases has grown into a nationwide brand with 14 retail locations and a cult following.

Clare shares how her business was born out of necessity in the early 2000s, when stylish laptop carriers were nowhere to be found. Sewing late into the night, she created pieces for herself and friends, eventually pivoting from tech accessories to versatile handbags that married utility with elegance.

💼 You’ll learn:
🧵 How a lack of fashionable laptop bags sparked a creative business
👶 Why Clare paused her business after becoming a mom—and how she reignited it
📍 What passing a familiar LA factory taught her about timing and resilience
👜 How transitioning from laptop cases to handbags unlocked scalability
👥 Why hiring a lean team changed everything for Clare V.'s growth

Clare also reveals how her first store came almost by accident—what started as a shared office with another designer evolved into a customer-facing retail space that launched the brand’s direct-to-consumer presence. From Silver Lake to Nolita, each store opening was a thoughtful step toward building community and expanding her vision.

Through trademark hurdles and industry shifts, Clare’s philosophy—“Don’t get caught up on things that aren’t actually a problem yet”—has guided her through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, personal style, and staying rooted in your "why."

🎧 Listen now to hear how Clare built Clare V. from the ground up—and why she believes creative businesses can scale without losing soul.

Our Guest: Clare Vivier is the founder and designer behind Clare V., a modern accessories brand known for its clean lines, vibrant colors, and French-meets-California aesthetic. A pioneer in combining fashion with function, Clare continues to lead her brand with integrity, independence, and a strong sense of purpose.

Host Emily Blumenthal is a handbag industry expert, author of Handbag Designer 101, and founder of The Handbag Awards. Known as the “Handbag Fairy Godmother,” Emily also teaches entrepreneurship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is dedicated to celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of building iconic handbag brands.

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Chapters

1. Origins of Claire V (00:00:00)

2. From Laptop Cases to Handbags (00:05:46)

3. Motherhood and Manufacturing (00:12:12)

4. Building the Business Model (00:18:27)

5. First Store and Expansion (00:29:04)

6. Growing an International Brand (00:34:21)