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Clare Vivier
Liberté, Intégrité, Simplicité
The French-inflected simplicity of her designs—leather handbags adorned with bold stripes, understated totes that whisper rather than shout—echo her essence: practical and deliberate, with an artist’s cool. Vivier has managed to bottle up California ease and Parisian sophistication, infusing it into a brand that feels both timeless and strikingly now.
Born and raised in the Midwest, Vivier's path to the fashion world was anything but linear. A former journalist, she honed her style sensibilities while living in France, where she noticed a glaring gap in the accessories market: bags that married utility with understated luxury. Armed with curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit, and a sewing machine purchased with found money, she taught herself the art of leather working to make a laptop bag that she herself would want to carry.
What began as a modest operation soon blossomed into Clare V., a brand that has come to define West Coast chic. From its early cult following in indie boutiques to its current status as a staple among tastemakers, Clare V. has grown into a quietly powerful force in the fashion industry, without compromising integrity or its signature style. Her pieces, whether carried by Hollywood A-listers or creative professionals on the go, feel both egalitarian and aspirational, a reflection of the woman behind the brand.
Yet for Vivier, success is as much about community as it is about commerce. With stores across the country—each one a carefully curated love letter to its neighborhood—and a commitment to ethical production practices, she has proven that achieving scale doesn't require sacrificing the values that guide you in the early days.
Listen : Spotify | Apple | YouTube
“You help people tell the world who they are”
Show Index
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01:54 - The Origins of Clare V.
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09:03 - Clare’s Stylistic Inspirations
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17:55 - Clare’s First Sewing Machine
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22:00 - Scott and Clare Go Très French
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24:30 - Clare Sets Her Company Culture
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31:50 - How Clare V. Gives Back
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42:20 - At Large & Off The Cuff
- 50:01 - Clare’s Smashed Potatoes & Chimichurri Recipe
Show Notes
Liberté, Intégrité, Simplicité
Peace, Love, and Advertising
The Unprofessional Professional
Idea Virus Patient Zero
Chasing Liquid Gold
Making MSCHF
Internet Funnyman
Building a Digital Hearth
No Mud, No Lotus
You Can’t Just Switch It Off
Purpose & Play
Creative Courage and Talking Stuffed Animals
Silencing the Discursive Mind
Striking Internet Gold
Givers Are Getters
Hosting a Rave for the Intellect
The Hunt for Big Ideas
Good Artists Copy, Great Artists Steal
Not investment advice. Read important disclosures.