Accidental Icon: “Accidental” Handbag Designer Caroline De Marchi and the Iconic Cubo Bag

As all of my readers know, I love stories about “accidental” occurrences and of reinvention. I recently had the great pleasure of meeting the handbag designer Caroline De Marchi in the lovely intimate space of the Yuta Powell Boutique. I am pleased to share with you Caroline’s reinvention story as a luxury handbag designer as well as some of her stunning bags, perfectly sized and shaped to meet the demands of modern life.

An international traveler who now lives in Paris, Milan and Sao Paulo the colors, sights and sounds she experienced while traveling inspired her to design a handbag for herself. Caroline envisioned something that was her own, matched her international lifestyle and would not be seen on the arm of every woman. While vacationing in Bali, she worked with local craftspeople and came up with the Cubo a practical, yet iconic bag. Soon noticed by friends she made a few to share. After several years she went to Italy to make more and before Caroline knew it she had a showroom and a handbag business. Caroline is the founder and designer of the brand and her beautiful and elegant daughter Capucine Lebrun is the dynamic entrepreneur behind it.

The chic, gracious and lovely Caroline herself models some of her pieces in the photos below. The bags are beautifully tactile with different textures, materials and subtle embellishments.

Check back on Wednesday for more Details about Caroline’s story, photos of her collections, her store in Paris and a look at Accidental Icon’s favorite bag from the line.

Do the bags you choose ever reflect your life story?

22 Comments

une femme on May 18, 2015 at 5:30 pm

Oh how wonderful! I’m hoping to visit her boutique when we’re in Paris.

mahryska on May 18, 2015 at 5:47 pm

gorgeous bags 🙂
kisses from dubai ♥
http://www.mahryska.com

Lyn on May 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm

Thanks for stopping by! Do you ever go to the IF Boutique there? I love the NYC one.

[email protected] on May 18, 2015 at 5:47 pm

gorgeous bags 🙂
kisses from dubai ♥
http://www.mahryska.com

[email protected] on May 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm

Thanks for stopping by! Do you ever go to the IF Boutique there? I love the NYC one.

Ginger on May 19, 2015 at 7:38 am

Preciosos bolsos

Lyn on May 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm

Thanks!

[email protected] on May 19, 2015 at 7:38 am

Preciosos bolsos

[email protected] on May 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm

Thanks!

La Contessa on May 19, 2015 at 4:59 pm

I think so……..I just cleaned my closet and couldn’t toss out the old handbags that will never be used again!TOO much history in them.

Lyn on May 21, 2015 at 2:18 pm

I know, for me so many of my precious possessions are filled with stories and great moments. Looking at them makes me remember.
[email protected] on May 21, 2015 at 2:19 pm

This designer was one of the most beautiful and gracious women I have met.

[email protected] on May 19, 2015 at 4:59 pm

I think so……..I just cleaned my closet and couldn’t toss out the old handbags that will never be used again!TOO much history in them.

[email protected] on May 21, 2015 at 2:18 pm

I know, for me so many of my precious possessions are filled with stories and great moments. Looking at them makes me remember.

Allie Mackin on May 19, 2015 at 11:22 pm

Oh I LOVE stories like this. I love success stories when one follows their heart. I am excited to read more! And if one is really following their heart it is not accidental it just appears that way.

Allie of ALLIE NYC
allienyc.com

Lyn on May 21, 2015 at 2:19 pm

This designer was one of the most beautiful and gracious women I have met.

The HIpsterette on May 20, 2015 at 9:16 pm

These handbags are truly beautiful… perfect pieces to create lasting memories. Thank you for sharing.

Lyn on May 21, 2015 at 2:20 pm

I know bags are great to find tucked away little pieces of life and memories.

[email protected] on May 20, 2015 at 9:16 pm

These handbags are truly beautiful… perfect pieces to create lasting memories. Thank you for sharing.

[email protected] on May 21, 2015 at 2:20 pm

I know bags are great to find tucked away little pieces of life and memories.

Melanie on May 22, 2015 at 8:03 am

These are beautiful handbags and I can only hope to have one someday. Definitely, my bags reflect my life story – my current favourite is a repurposed tool box, a gift from my husband who knows me well.

[email protected] on May 22, 2015 at 8:03 am

une femme on May 18, 2015 at 5:30 pm

Oh how wonderful! I’m hoping to visit her boutique when we’re in Paris.
mahryska on May 18, 2015 at 5:47 pm

gorgeous bags 🙂
kisses from dubai ♥
http://www.mahryska.com
- Lyn on May 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm
  
  Thanks for stopping by! Do you ever go to the IF Boutique there? I love the NYC one.
[email protected] on May 18, 2015 at 5:47 pm

gorgeous bags 🙂
kisses from dubai ♥
http://www.mahryska.com
- [email protected] on May 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm
  
  Thanks for stopping by! Do you ever go to the IF Boutique there? I love the NYC one.
Ginger on May 19, 2015 at 7:38 am

Preciosos bolsos
- Lyn on May 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm
  
  Thanks!
[email protected] on May 19, 2015 at 7:38 am

Preciosos bolsos
- [email protected] on May 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm
  
  Thanks!
La Contessa on May 19, 2015 at 4:59 pm

I think so……..I just cleaned my closet and couldn’t toss out the old handbags that will never be used again!TOO much history in them.
- Lyn on May 21, 2015 at 2:18 pm
  
  I know, for me so many of my precious possessions are filled with stories and great moments. Looking at them makes me remember.
- [email protected] on May 21, 2015 at 2:19 pm
  
  This designer was one of the most beautiful and gracious women I have met.
[email protected] on May 19, 2015 at 4:59 pm

I think so……..I just cleaned my closet and couldn’t toss out the old handbags that will never be used again!TOO much history in them.
- [email protected] on May 21, 2015 at 2:18 pm
  
  I know, for me so many of my precious possessions are filled with stories and great moments. Looking at them makes me remember.
Allie Mackin on May 19, 2015 at 11:22 pm

Oh I LOVE stories like this. I love success stories when one follows their heart. I am excited to read more! And if one is really following their heart it is not accidental it just appears that way.

Allie of ALLIE NYC
allienyc.com

Allie of ALLIE NYC
allienyc.com
- Lyn on May 21, 2015 at 2:19 pm
  
  This designer was one of the most beautiful and gracious women I have met.
The HIpsterette on May 20, 2015 at 9:16 pm

These handbags are truly beautiful… perfect pieces to create lasting memories. Thank you for sharing.
- Lyn on May 21, 2015 at 2:20 pm
  
  I know bags are great to find tucked away little pieces of life and memories.
[email protected] on May 20, 2015 at 9:16 pm

These handbags are truly beautiful… perfect pieces to create lasting memories. Thank you for sharing.
- [email protected] on May 21, 2015 at 2:20 pm
  
  I know bags are great to find tucked away little pieces of life and memories.
Melanie on May 22, 2015 at 8:03 am

These are beautiful handbags and I can only hope to have one someday. Definitely, my bags reflect my life story – my current favourite is a repurposed tool box, a gift from my husband who knows me well.
[email protected] on May 22, 2015 at 8:03 am

These are beautiful handbags and I can only hope to have one someday. Definitely, my bags reflect my life story – my current favourite is a repurposed tool box, a gift from my husband who knows me well.