During a recent visit to the Sixth Avenue BYSOG showroom, I had the opportunity to meet Vic Vartanian. The young designer sits at the helm of his family-run accessories company. The story of BYSOG, Armenian for handbag, stems back a few generations and in many areas of fashion. To say that fashion runs through his bloodlines would be in an understatement. Mr. Vartanian told me that his mother was a seamstress for Oscar de la Renta and his aunt worked for Vera Wang. His father, brother, and uncles are all cobblers and handbag makers.
(l) the Dynelle clutch in Auburn; (r) the Liz Camo bag in Olive
Born on August 9, 1981 in Queens, New York, Vic Vartanian was introduced to fashion almost immediately. His father John Vartanian, a world famous singer, and a very reputable handbag maker in New York City, owned a well-known and respected leather handbag factory in the heart of New York's Fashion district. His father began this work back in his old country, where the senior Mr. Vartanian and his three brothers custom-made baby shoes for the local clientele, until the civil wars of their time forced them to seek refuge in America. In the mid 1970's, the Vartanian family began to concentrate solely on luxury leather goods, specifically handbags and belts.
The canvas bag is perfect as a weekender.
Over the course of his childhood and adolescence, Vic Vartanian was your typical troublemaking teenager. According to his bio, the designer's rebellious attitude often got him in heaps of trouble, but no matter how far away his troubles brought him, he always seemed to find his way back to what he knew best' designing bags. Working under his father's tutelage offered the young artisan great exposure to some of the world's most renowned designers and fashion houses. Isabella Fiore, Betsey Johnson, and Monica Botkier are just a few of the established designers who relied on the Vartanian family to produce luxury goods for their lines.
(l) the Nikki Wristlet in Blue Lagoon (r) the Spike bag in Gunmetal
BYSOG's utilitarian bags have a unisex appeal. Produced at local tanneries within 1 1/2 to 2 days, the customized handbags are primarily featured in natural colors. These bags are the perfect blend of form and function' efficient; with extra pockets for all that our busy lives demand while remaining current and fashionable! My favorite pieces include the Spike Bag, the quintessential tote bag equipped with multiple compartments; the sassy Dynelle convertible clutch bag, which has shoulder straps that can be discreetly hidden when you want to change the look of the bag and carry it under one arm; and the Nikki Wristlet, the perfect evening bag that looks just as stylish with a suit as it does with a little black dress. Best of all in metallic colors (which are key this season and moving into next) pewter and gold, the envelope-shaped bag will add sparkle and glam to your basic t-shirt-and-jeans ensemble; with its clever design, the Wristlet blends seamlessly into our hands-free 21st century jet setting-lifestyle!
These multipurpose bags have unisex appeal.
Collaborating with hundreds of independent and reputable brand name designers has helped shape and influence Vic Vartanian's design aesthetic. From early on, he understood the important relationship between design and quality, and how it affects the consumer. Mr. Vartanian has built his business on this principle and has hopes of bringing his collection to the mass market very soon (a potential deal with a large department store seems imminent.) Meeting the young designer, he is mature beyond his twenty-five years with a keen sense for his company's vision and direction for the future. Creating the BYSOG name, and building the brand, he 'aims to be in our lives and in the lives of many for generations to come.'
A special note of thanks to Dynelle Skinner at Another PR Agency for organizing our visit and supplying additional images.
