Bochic Evening Clutch Collection: The Crown Jewel

When a glamour-obsessed fine jewelry line takes the plunge into clutches, you hope the results are going to be awe-inspiring. When New York-based Bochic (founded in 2004) takes the plunge into minaudierès, the result is a passionate collection worthy of old Hollywood. You go into Bochic’s showroom, and it all makes sense: an incredible assortment of vintage bags owner and designer David Joseph has collected from all around the world sit before you.

Created with help from bag designer Serena Bonifazi, Joseph clearly always draws inspiration from his vast travels, but this collection of evening clutches reaps it from his ongoing fascination with classic film noir and the darkly sophisticated allure of the genre’s leading ladies. Three styles with three stars as muses, each piece handmade in Florence: for example, the Alicia is named after Ingrid Bergman’s character in Hitchcock’s Notorious (Gilda and Madeleine finish off the elite group).

The minaudierès have intricate details, and Bochic’s trademark precious stones come together with high-end skins like python, stingray, and crocodile. No surprise each clutch is constructed like a piece of jewelry and all the hardware a piece of art to behold – but the each bag as a whole is just as impressive as its parts. The collection will officially debut in September 2014 at Paris Fashion Week, and pieces start at $2,500.