Victoria Stowe is a fashion historian, collector and leading expert in the history of American legacy brands that specialized in luxury skin handbags. She devoted over a decade to researching their 100-year history and assembling the finest collection of historically important examples.

 

The uniqueness of her archival collection lies in the fact that most of the featured upscale American designer brands are no longer in operation, and no other known research of their production has been conducted in the U.S. so far.

 

The only comprehensive collection of premier American mid-century brands in the world, it is based on numerous and thoroughly researched industry archives of the pre-Internet era that create a solid foundation for her illustrated fashion encyclopedia, “Exotic Skin Handbags: Alligator and Crocodile,” published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. in 2010.

 

A rare study and an important collector's guide to the luxuries market, it has instantly become a useful reference for designers, industry, fashion students, and smart-dressing shoppers worldwide. 

 

To satisfy their discriminating taste, Victoria was offering unique and timeless vintage finds in her exclusive online boutique  since 1999 for about 17 years. During that time, she purchased, appraised and sold about six thousand handbags including rare collectibles and well-priced, elegant vintage in excellent condition for everyday use.