When fashion journalist and entertainment writer Merle Ginsberg, met Nicolas Frontiere, communications director at Nina Ricci at L’Avenue restaurant in Paris last season during Paris Fashion Week, she was surprised when he asked her if she wanted to design her own custom “Merle by Nina Ricci Bag.”

When I asked Merle how the process worked she told me she was sent a kit from Nina Ricci that included fabrications as well as all the design elements needed to create her own custom bag complete with engraved initials.

“It is so luxurious and I love the colors and the rose gold initials on it, said Ginsberg. To me, having this bag named for me is like winning an Oscar!”

When we last spoke Merle wasn’t sure if the “Merle by Nina Ricci Bag” was going to retail but thought it might be available for special order. www.ninaricci.com