The Savoy Hotel

By 1987, having established a regular outlet for my bags at Covent Garden market, I was eager to expand my collection to include small luggage pieces. Finding a suitable venue in which to promote this new line emerged just along the road from the market at The Savoy hotel.

Synonymous with luxury travellers since 1889, The Savoy was the perfect location to display a selection of weekend and overnight bags in a large showcase near the eponymous American bar. I engaged the services of the gift shop manager to manage orders and sales on my behalf, whilst replacing stock twice a week.

Occasionally, accompanied by my son, Joshua, then aged three, the head barman at the American bar would kindly invite him to sit at the bar and watch the maestro mix him a mocktail. Such style.

There are many stories of my residence at The Savoy but two stand out.

One day, whilst I replaced stock, an elegant American woman enquired: ‘Are those three rabbit tapestry pieces more or less than a one way ticket to New York on Concorde?’ ‘Just under’, was the reply. She proffered her card and said ‘ Ship it all’.

Another time, a famous billionaire, who stayed three months every year, checked in with 22 pieces of Louis Vuitton and checked out with 22 Bags by Bernadette.

For the next three years, a steady stream of Savoy residents checked out with Bernadette’s bags and many remain customers to this day. Function- Strength - Beauty, an enduring motto.