Take note, Oscar, there’s another golden beauty in town. The Perry clutch evokes glamour in its every element, down to its beveled structure, inspired by designer Tyler Ellis’s emerald-cut diamond engagement ring.
“It’s super-glamorous,” Ellis says of the design, embellished in gold Swarovski bubble crystals. “It’s durable too, because the crystals are heat-stamped on.” Ellis’s handcrafted clutches are a go-to for the Hollywood red-carpet crowd, worn recently by Elle Fanning, Kerry Washington, Indya Moore and Rachel Zegler.
But don’t get the idea that the Perry is only suitable for the limelight. With the right attitude, says Ellis, this bag has an everyday appeal. After all, it’s big enough to fit a full complement of essentials. “I was born and raised in L.A., so I’m super-casual,” she says. “But I can wear this clutch with a couture gown or with jeans and a T-shirt to the office.”
Ellis credits her father, the legendary sportswear designer Perry Ellis, for her commitment to what she calls “functional luxury.” Although he died in 1986, his influence imbues the brand. As you might have guessed, she named the Perry clutch for him. And her company logo is in his handwriting, taken from an envelope he addressed to her on her first birthday.
Devotion is evident in the details, from the evocation of her father’s legacy to the iconic snap closure shaped like a pinecone, which, notes Ellis, “represents the highest form of spiritual awakening, all the way back to ancient Egypt.” The result is nothing short of perfection. And the award for best golden beauty goes to . . .
