PHILOSOPHY & DESIGNER
PHILOSOPHY
With a hint of unapologetic glamour, our designs encompass aesthetic influences from decades of the past, along with the future that has yet to be created.
At de Groot, we consider our handbags and accessories to be unique statement pieces, with a timeless, yet modern edge. They are bold, yet sophisticated; unexpected, yet elevated.
We believe that our customer possesses an ageless attitude and so do our designs – an exceptional design does not have an expiration date and should be considered as relevant in ten years as it is today.
It is our hope, that our customers will enjoy their de Groot purchase for decades to come.
While other kids were playing with dolls and coloring books, I was paging through the latest issues of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, memorizing the fashion spreads, designer’s names – and sketching some ideas of my own. I’ve always said that fashion was in my DNA; I knew I wanted to be a designer by the time I was nine. Therefore, it was an easy decision to further my education with a degree in Fashion Design.
After graduation, my next five years were spent designing private label apparel until the company buyout nudged me out of my comfort zone. I knew then, it was time to pursue my lifelong dream of designing without limitations and create my own collection of handbags.
Several years after launching my initial handbag collection, I began hearing the same story from my customers: They were still "wearing the styles they had purchased TEN years ago”! Many of these women also had daughters who began asking to “borrow” their bags as well. I soon realized that the styles were not only beautiful, statement pieces – but they transcended seasons and age.
Encouraged by these stories, I began to really identify my brand philosophy: to create a curated collection of timeless yet modern, luxury handbags and accessories; elevated in design – that will be as relevant in ten years as they are today. I believe that with a great design, you cannot pinpoint the decade in which it was created. It is simply, timeless!
My desire is for my designs to connect with my customer on a level that goes beyond a brand name. It’s called Emotional Fashion: when an item resonates on a deeper level and evokes an “I have to have that!” feeling.