Nina Ricci's Peter Copping Launches debut La Rue Bag - Olivia Inge, Meredith Ostrum & Daisy de Veilleneuve Attend

Filling Mayfair’s Gazelli Art House with blooms and bags, Nina Ricci Creative Director Peter Copping launched his debut La Rue tote collection and campaign yesterday afternoon.

Left: La Rue campaign by Inez & Vinoodh, Right: Nina Ricci Creative Director Peter Copping with Olivia Inge

Drawing the arty/socialite crowd – model Olivia Inge, artist Meredith Ostrom and illustrator Daisy de Villeneuve - the launch showcased the beautiful collaboration between illustrator Jo Ratcliffe and Brit designer Copping. Transforming Inez & Vinoodh’s campaign images into striking artworks,  Ratcliffe’s florals provided the theme for the launch with massive bouquets bursting out from inside the bags.

So what about the La Rue? Is it an It-bag in waiting? We’d suggest its more a stealth luxe tote. Created from luxury skins and leathers and with couture style elements - for instance gathered details to reflect Copping’s catwalk signatures – the bag is less one season wonder, more lifetime investment.

La Rue by Nina Ricci

And what does Peter think every woman should have in her handbag? “Well first of all every woman should cherish her address book more than anything else she owns! When you travel, you need the best addresses in town to hand. Secondly I’d say a great Chanel lipstick. Then considering the summer we’ve had in Paris, an umbrella or even a PacMac could be useful!”

Left: Meredith Ostrom, Right: Daisy de Villeneuve

What are his plans for coping with the rainy summer? “I’ve got the whole of next month off – Paris basically closes down so it’s a great chance to take some proper time off. I’ve got three weeks in Ibiza then a week back in the UK in Suffolk – its bound to rain, but I’m used to that.” We hear you Pete!

Nina Ricci La Rue tote available in store September 2012.