Sure, the name Victor Hugo is synonymous with the classic novels Les Misérables and Notre Dame de Paris, but there's another man who shares the name and is making waves in the fashion milieu. Born in Uruguay, designer Victor Hugo opened his first store in Rio de Janeiro in 1975, shortly after relocating to Brazil. He quickly gained a following among he country's fashion jet set thanks to the exotic animal skins used to craft his luxurious handbags — and, in recent years, the buzz has spread to other countries, among them the U.S.
For Spring/Summer 2010, Hugo created the above-pictured totes, which dress up the classic canvas boat bag silhouette by replacing the navy blue or green trimmings and nylon straps with exotic ostrich skin. Each bag, then, features ostrich skin feature ostrich skin along the center panels, the bottom panel, and the shoulder straps, as well as a handy exterior zipper compartment.
If you want a sturdy, roomy bag for your summer travails, and you want to strike the right balance between casual and formal, here's an ideal option for you!
Victor Hugo Canvas Tote, $1599 for small size and $1699 for large size. Available at Victor Hugo flagship store in New York (520 Madison Avenue).
