Launching its first retail store in San Francisco’s Westfield Mall, the luxury brand Jill Milan® has opened a pop-up store for its designer Italian handbags. It first hit the mall on May 24 and will remain available to customers until June 20 with previews of Jill Milan’s summer collection and upcoming Fall/Winter 2013-2014 collection.
“We are very excited to be launching our first Jill Milan retail store in San Francisco,” said Jill Fraser, CEO of Jill Milan. “Jill Milan products are made of exquisite materials by Italian artisans whose craftsmanship is the best in the world. Having our own store will give our San Francisco customers a chance to see the collection in person and experience this quality.”
Fraser collaborated with Amy Fischer, founder of Los Altos-based Spectrum Interior Design to create its visual concept. Fischer’s previous projects have included remodels of exclusive custom estates and luxury vacation homes.
During Fraser’s own search for luxury handbags made from fabrics other than leather or other animal-based materials, she found that the industry was lacking. This brought about her Jill Milan brand in 2010 which supports animal welfare initiatives. All her products are free of animal-based materials such as leather, fur and wool. A portion of Jill Milan proceeds are also donated to organizations that rescue and retrain former racehorses who would otherwise be at risk of being slaughtered. With their help, they are given a second change in equestrian sports or as pleasure horses.
The handbags have garnered media attention and can be seen being carried by celebrities to numerous premieres and exclusive events. Academy Award recipient Anne Hathaway wore Jill Milan in New York and London during her Les Misérables and The Dark Knight Rises premieres. The stunning Jennifer Lawrence has also toted a bag to events prior to January’s Golden Globe Awards. Other celebs include: Eva Longoria, Minnie Driver, Carrie Underwood, Rachel Nichols, Fiona Gubelmann and Kristanna Loken. Along with its celebrity appearances, the handbags have been featured in various magazines including W Magazine which called the Holland Park Clutch a “Most Wanted” item.
The entire collection is made in Italy by artisans using local materials. Jill Milan’s handbags are adorned with handmade metalwork and include hand stitching. They are the only luxury handbag line on Hollywood’s red carpet that is able to boast being entirely free of animal-derived materials.
