Reece Hudson: The Next Big Name in Accessories

By Suzanne Singer
September 20, 2011

If you don't yet know about the handbag line Reece Hudson, a lot of important people in the fashion industry think you should. Reece Solomon, the fashion designer behind the vintage-slash-street-inspired handbag collection, was just selected as one of 11 new inductees to the CFDA's Fashion Incubator Program. Now in its second year, the esteemed program provides a deeply discounted workspace and mentoring, not to mention significant exposure, to a group of promising up-and-comers who in the Incubator's inaugural year including rising stars like Prabal Gurung and Sophie Theallet.

Though this is certainly a step in the right direction for the former Parsons student and Proenza Schouler intern, Solomon has been on the up-and-up since she launched her brand back in 2009. Her flat leather clutches, pouch-y evening bags, ladylike satchels and even a circular cross-body bag are sold at fashion trend-making retailers like Kirna Zabete in New York and Satine in Los Angeles.

We got a chance to speak with Solomon directly to get a bit more info on the handbag line you will certainly soon be seeing everywhere.

The Inside Source: Why design handbags?

Reece Solomon: When I first graduated from Parsons, I had focused mainly on ready-to-wear, but I had taken some accessories courses and in those courses made a few bags. They were all really well received by the people I knew (including some editors and buyers). I knew that I wanted to create my own brand, and my business partner Max [Stein] and I saw a void in the marketplace for a luxury handbag collection that was not tied to an existing ready-to-wear house.

Reece Hudson

Reece Hudson handbags, Fall 2011

The Inside Source: You consistently use luxurious skins to construct your bags. Why?

Reece Solomon: So far, we have mostly used lambskins and exotic skins such as python, crocodile, and ostrich. Often my handbag designs include the mixing of skins. I love the textural nature of skins and the tonal contrasts of mixing them. For Spring 2012, we are introducing some fabrics into the handbag collection and I hope to continue that moving forward.

The Inside Source: You produce your handbags in New York, and manufacture them with organic cotton lining and custom gunmetal and antique brass made in America. Is that a philosophical choice?

Reece Solomon: I think that producing in New York is important for two reasons. First, I really do believe in supporting American industry as much as possible and I have heard from the stores we work with and their clients that there is a customer who wants an American made product. Second, being a young fashion designer, producing overseas is incredibly difficult in terms of minimums and managing production. I visit my factories multiple times per week, and I have touched every bag that we ship. In terms of sourcing hardware, lining, etc., we try to keep it as all close to home as possible. It also helps reduce the carbon footprint of each bag.

Reece Hudson

Reece Hudson handbags, Fall 2011

The Inside Source: How would you describe your customer?

Reece Solomon: I think the Reece Hudson client has a strong point of view when it comes to fashion. She knows exactly what she wants and appreciates unique design and craftsmanship.

The Inside Source: Your brand has an active social media presence—you blog, Tweet and are on Facebook. Have those outlets been a good way to connect with your customers?

Reece Solomon: We try to take advantage of all social media. I really do see them as opportunities to communicate with our customers and fan base. Being young, we obviously do not have an ad budget, and therefore these mediums are so important. We just launched a new feature on our Facebook called Seen in the Street. It features real girls in real life wearing their own Reece Hudson bags. It has received an amazing response.

The Inside Source: How do you come up with a new handbag collection for each season?

Reece Solomon: I am always doing a lot of photo research, which is often not even fashion-based. It could be animals or functional hardware or even more abstract images. I try to build upon the past. I try to reimagine our existing silhouettes and fill in gaps with new styles. I get to meet with our amazing vendors for leathers and exotic skins to discuss colors and treatments. From there everything starts to come together.

The Inside Source: Do you shop on eBay?

Reece Solomon: I love eBay, both personally and professionally. One of my favorite pieces of furniture was an eBay find. I also have a few favorite vintage clothing sellers that I monitor. It can of course be a great way to search for inspiration. My favorite things to look for are vintage clothing, boots and jewelry.