samantha thavasa

Q&A with High Society's Tinsley Mortimer

Filed under: Handbags, Celebrity Shopping, Celebrity Design

Luxist recently snatched up an opportunity to sit down with socialite and star of the reality show "High Society" Tinsley Mortimer while she was visiting the DC area for The Front Row fashion event in Bethesda, Md. Mortimer dished about her handbag line with Japanese-based designer Samantha Thavasa, her brand-new tats, her love for fashion, and of course, a little bit about luxury.

Your handbag line has gained a lot of acclaim in Japan. Do you get to travel there often?
It's been an amazing five years. I've visited several times, but the most recent was about a year ago. [The company] actually likes to shoot me in New York. Sex and the City has really taken off over there, and they love all the different backdrops. Plus, I live just a block from the factory where all of the products are made.

Why did you get involved with Samantah Thavasa?
It's been an amazing five years. I've always wanted to design - my mother was an interior designer. Plus, I've always been a girly-girl. When I was growing up, I never wanted to play with baby dolls - I always loved Barbie. I was offered the opportunity to do this line and jumped on it. I've had the chance to do my own clothing line, Riccime, but it's only available in Japan.

The bags are great - tell us a bit about the most recent line.
I was really inspired by the 80s, so a lot of the pieces have great studs and detailing.

We loved the bag Mortimer was sporting during our talk - an oversized platinum clutch from her own collection. The "Deborah" retails for just $225.

Tags: high society, qa, samantha thavasa, TinsleyMortimer

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Tinsley Mortimer Hosts a Shiba Rescue Benefit at Samantha Thavasa

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Charity, Big Givers, Celebrity Design

Tinsley Mortimer at the Samantha Thavasa's Shiba Inu Rescue Benefit

Tinsley Mortimer isn't just a socialite, she's a designer ... and a dog lover.

Don't beat yourself up if you haven't heard of Samantha Thavasa. The luxury-cute handbag line only has one store in the United States (965 Madison Avenue, NYC). Their market? Japan, where they have over 160 stores.

Samantha Thavasa was founded in 1994 by its CEO and president Kazumasa Terada, and Tinsley Mortimer designs a subcollection of bags for them. It's a smart move on both parts -- Tinsley certainly knows fashion, and Samantha Thavasa's target audience, young Japanese girls, love American socialites and celebrities. Previous ad campaigns have featured the Hilton sisters, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Solange, and Brit social queen Victoria Beckham.

Last Wednesday night, Mortimer hosted a benefit at Samantha Thavasa for Shiba Inu Rescue. NYC Shiba Rescue is a two-year-old non profit which provides foster homes for abused Shibas (a trendy Japanese breed) and finds them new owners across the tri-state area. We asked NYCSR president Zennia Barahona how the benefit came about:

Zennia Barahona: [Samantha Thavasana] contacted us. They wanted to do a fundraiser for a New York based organization, but on the other hand, they wanted to be able to do something that also coincided with their Japanese roots. We're able to get the word out about Shiba and other pure bred rescue, and people get to shop, so it's a great thing!

Luxist: Why pure breds?

ZB: When most people want a specific pure-bred dog, they think to go to a pet store, and we want to discourage people from doing that. We're really trying to educate people about puppy mills, and the dangers of that. But we also take in shiba mixes. We love them as well. If you want to get a dog, especially a pure-bred, definitely look at rescue and see if there's a dog that fits your lifestyle.

L: And what are Shiba Inus like?

ZB: Shibas can be quite aloof. They're very loyal to their humans but they can be aloof. They can be stubborn. They're very intelligent, very sweet -- their intelligence can lend itself to a great relationship, but it can also lead to training problems.

Ha! We love dogs with a little spirit. Click here if you're interested in adopting or becoming a foster home. Next we chatted with Ms. Mortimer about her designs, dogs, Japan, and how she feels like she's working for Disneyworld! Click through the gallery for photos of the fete, the bags, and the dogs, and to read our exclusive interview.

Gallery: Tinsley Mortimer - Exclusive Interview