Meet Devi Kroell
4.14.2008 | by Megs
In part two of our ongoing designer interview series, we had the pleasure of meeting the awarded accessories designer Devi Kroell. With all the hype surrounding the person, the omnipresent name, the industry recognition for her work, Vlad and I had a tingling feeling of nervousness entering the building in which we were scheduled to meet her at. Her showroom was literally packed with accessories from her current lineup, fall collections, big shipping boxes and a handful of computer desks occupied by Devi’s busy staff, scouring media and working PR contacts. There was not much room to navigate, but we were assured that the operation was going to move to a bigger showroom soon. As long as there was a place for us to view all of the beautiful handbags, we were happy.
Right as she entered the room, we felt quite at ease. The young designer struck us as amazingly chic and stunning, and well-spoken with a hint of an accent. ‘You are Austrian, does that mean you speak German?’ Vlad asked to break the ice. Devi, it turns out, does speak German fluently, along with half a dozen other languages, including Indonesian. As Devi and Vlad conversed in German for a few minutes, I smiled and felt my lack of worldliness becoming disadvantageous.
We learned that Devi has lived around the world, from Europe to Far-East Asia and taken in inspiration from the various cultures, places, and people she had seen and met. Her designs are sleek and clean, offering exciting exotics that come together divinely. The designer is probably best known for her box clutches, slouchy hobos, and exotic roots. In fact, Devi took a risk and entered the luxury exotics market before exotics were the next big thing. The risk has definitely paid off and turned her elegant and chic style into the well-known brand that it is today.
We sat down for 45 minutes and learned more about Devi, the person and the designer. Enjoy!
Thanks for the interview! I love her bags!
I have loved her bags since the first time I saw Jessica Simpson with that gold python hobo. She was sitting at a dinner table and started unloading it to find her black American Express card! HAhahaha. They have grown in my mind since. I love them and I love this lady. What a business inspiration!
She is AMAZINGLY talented! Thank you for sharing this interview with us. BTW, I’m with Vlad, that orange croc hobo — droolworthy!
Thanks for the interview!
Such a good interview, and great pictures. Nice job!
Nice. I like Devi Kroell’s bags. I got her limited edition clutches that she did for Target and those were great. I put away my more expensive designer pieces. BTW-It’s Lang no e.
Hmm.. her Cartable bag in Ostrich kind of reminds me of YSL Besace Messenger bag.
Dear M - You probably know this already, but the term “besace” in French means mailbag or messenger bag, it is not a proper noun like “Birkin”. The term “cartable” which Devi would know because she speaks French, is a French school kid’s classic book bag and they always have this same form with a large flap that covers the entire body of the bag, squarish/rectangular shape and with two closures on the front. So, when YSL or Devi Kroell use these terms it is like when we say in English “frame bag”, or “clutch bag” or “messenger bag”!
Her bags are very cheaply made. I purchased a python hobo last year and it completely came apart within a month. I think I wore it about twice! When I took it back to her NYC office to complain, one of her rude assistants sent me away. AWFUL service and worse material. She’s not that great really. And her real name isn’t even Devi Kroell! What a fake.
Great piece, thank you so much for shedding some light into this mystery designer brand…
LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE Devi Kroell, thank you for bringing this!!!
Just went to Devi’s East Hampton New York store. Lots of gorgeous bags and shoes! Then this pudgy little frump comes out of the back room to assist us(i was with a few friends), she was in the midst of biting her nails!!! Not just biting them, but making a meal out of them, totally gross. We took one look at her and walked right out…
Also, someone said that she’s not Austrian, but from some South American country. What’s the deal with that?
Great designs! Devi, I was told that’s not her real name too, is part Austrian, part Oriental. All her staff are horrible. They are mostly foreigners who have no clue how to deal with customers. I had a run in with some Turkish girl. Very rude. With staff like that you have to wonder if “Devi” beats them.