Clare Vivier is an ex-journalist who spent many days on the road with her laptop. Finding no worthy bag for it, she created her own. She now makes elegantly understated bags that are the antithesis of all things froufrou. While other designers embellish and over-decorate, she keeps her unfussy laptop cases, totes, pouches and clutches — in supple nubuck, suede, canvas and linen — simple, clean-lined and warmly minimalist. And simple works. Her raw-edged tan leather La Tropézienne shopping tote was on the arm of many an It-Girl this summer. Wear these when you want people to notice you, not your purse. Available at Fred Segal Flair, 500 Broadway, Santa Monica. (310) 451-7139. Also at Mohawk General Store, 1101 Mohawk St., L.A. (213) 484-8162. And at Confederacy, 4661 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. (323) 913-3040. seevivier.com.

—Gendy Alimurung

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