designer crush {introducing ames tovern}

Cape: J.Crew (old, similar style here); Shirt: Heidi Merrick c/o; Jeans: Frame; Shoes: Saint Laurent (similar style here); Hip Pack: Ames Tovern; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Necklace: BaubleBar; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Bracelets: Vita Fede

I love meeting inspiring people, especially when they happen to be women I work with, blazing their own path. I recently met Aimee Gildea, a fellow Googler and Bay Area native, who's been working the past few years to launch her own line of luxury hip packs, Ames Tovern (a spin on her namesake and a dedication to her grandmother Vern). 

With a background in French pattern making, a savvy business head on her shoulders and a keen eye for design and quality leather, she's a triple threat to a T. And I couldn't wait to get my hands on one of these guys and promptly onto my hips. I, for one, am excited for the recent revival of waist and hip bags (remember this Elizabeth & James one I posted yesterday?) and am quickly seeing the functional beauty in them too (first and foremost, they're the perfect match for this season's cape). 

How about you guys? Have you dabbled in hip packs and waist belts yet?

Photos by Natalie Goel