Henri

While living in New York, Henri Bendel was one of my favorite places to window shop, find a gift, or to get a new handbag monogrammed. I often shared my findings, sharing photos on my fashion blog and collaborating with the brand on a few occasions. In 2016, I even worked for a startup in the Rizzoli Building at 712 Fifth Avenue- the same address as their flagship store.

Henri Bendel was born in Louisiana in 1868 and later moved to New York to work as a milliner. His first shop was located in Greenwich Village, where he began branding the iconic brown and white striped boxes. Bendel is even the first retailer to sell Coco Chanel in the United States!

Although the brand sadly closed in 2019, I still have a closet full of my favorite pieces. From black flats to packable luggage, Henri Bendel items have lasted for years, as have the memories of living in the city.

 I repurposed a square canvas to create Henri, my abstract take on the classic brown and white Bendel stripes. Adding a bit of gold to the piece, I wanted this design to be versatile with a touch of glam.

I went back to New York City for two months in 2021, roaming around the city for inspiration and experimenting with new designs. Although my time back on the East Coast ended abruptly, it brought me back to Michigan- and brought my story full-circle back to Detroit.