Hester Van Eeghen is Dutch designer. One could say she designs purses, but she does so much more, shoes, small leather goods, in Holland she is a legend. I became enamored of her designs an of the person when I met her over a year ago. In many ways I think meeting Hester was the catalyst for us ending up in Amsterdam for several days this year.

THE MAGICAL WORLD OF HESTER VAN EEGHEN

Jan 6, 2012by tracey Comments

Hester Van Eeghen is Dutch designer. One could say she designs  purses, but she does so much more, shoes, small leather goods, in Holland she is a legend. I became enamored of her designs and of the person when I met her over a year ago. In many ways I think meeting Hester was the catalyst for us ending up in Amsterdam for several days this year.

Hester is really a lifestyle in many ways, totally unique, very Dutch in her sensibility, sophisticated, practical  and whimsical. Spending time with her in Amsterdam was a highlight of our stay there.

Hester's Main Shop Hartenstraat 37 1016 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Another view of the same shop. We went running over as soon as we got there.
Her Mens Shop Across the Street
Some of her smaller bags.

 

Wall of Wallets
Drawer of her small bags for pretty much anything.I have several of these in my bag and I no longer dig like a dog in my purse. They also make me smile each time I see them.
The Woody ~ her biggest seller. Chic and it holds a laptop!
Something a little dressier in this seasons hot color.
Practical mixed with the fanciful.
She also does amazing shoes. Taylor and I are lusting after these

On our last night there Hester and her husband Roland invited us to their canal house for dinner.  When You wander the streets of Amsterdam and look into every window the way I do getting to actually go inside one of these 17th Century wonders is a real treat. I don’t think all of them have quite the panache of Hester and Roland’s.

Hester has a purse museum in her home.
She collects them from all over the world. The new are mixed in with the very old.
She has shoes mixed in with buckles and wallets and all sorts of wonderful things.
Green the theme here
Green is a color she uses well. This is the entrance when you first walk in.
The other thing you see when you walk in is this computer in a wall. Roland felt since we no longer have traditional mail boxes at our doors a computer to check your email would be the best thing to have. This one actually covers a coat closet and there is a small bathroom to the left.
A shelf with some of Hester's other things.
This shows the main floor with the garden in the back. All space is perfectly utilized.
One of my favorite deities Ganesh sits near the front door. A perfect spot.
Red is the theme of a table in the upstairs drawing room. I like the handbag sitting there.
Florentine Chest with a Dutch painting.
Why is is some people jus know how to place things?
Getting ready to dine.

 

You might wonder what Hester and Roland served ~ we had a perfect tomato soup, followed by lemon ravioli with a simple butter sauce, rack of lamb with vegetables, salad and then traditional Dutch desserts, a cherry tart, those wonderful donuts to bring in the New Year, but light and fluffy ones, not heavy and greasy like the ones on the streets, but truth be told I like the greasy ones too and organic ice cream. Unlike here Europeans appear to eat a lot, but the portions are small and you never feel stuffed.

So Hester.

 

Good Luck New Year's Donut. A grand tradition. You have to eat it!

 

 

If you want to know more about  Hester there is a book about her and her work over the years.

Click the word book and it takes you to Amazon to buy it.
Some of her collection is available in the US at HVEUS.