An Hermès Arrival for Susan Casden

(PARIS) Susan Casden, couture client and Hermès bag fiend, became a proud new parent last Monday, when her custom-designed rouge "Susie Casden" Hermès adjustable shoulder bag arrived in time for the start of the fall couture shows. "I guess it's called 'the Susan'," she quipped from the front row of the Armani Privé show. Featuring the signature Birkin closure, the roomy hold-all boasts a multitude of storage compartments, including one outside pouch, one zipper pouch inside, and four additional pockets and a zippered key pouch on the side. "All the Hermès bags are so formal," Casden, who lives in Los Angeles and has countless Hermès bags, explained, adding that she plans to order the style in black matte crocodile for everyday, as well as orange. "The shoulder Birkin was quite cumbersome. This one I can take anywhere with ease." Casden, who waited one year after meeting with Hermès designers last July and traveled to Paris three to four times to monitor its progress, shied away from revealing its price, but said it was similar to a standard Birkin. What's more, those wanting the same-style bag will have to have Casden's written-expressed permission. The pricy arm candy has already caught the eye of another Hermès fan-Glenda Bailey-who had it shot for the September issue of Harper's Bazaar.

Meanwhile, a few rows up sat Rebecca Carcelle, wife of Louis Vuitton chairman and chief executive officer Yves Carcelle, taking in her first Armani Privé show. "Yves is really good friends with Giorgio [Armani] and I'm here because of Stéphane Gerschel," she explained of her fifth-row seatmate and friend, a former right hand to Andrée Putman who's now the international communications director for Giorgio Armani Parfums & Cosmetics. "In fact, Yves said to kiss Giorgio for him because he's in Korea opening another flagship store." At least her choice of wardrobe was fashionably neutral: she beamed in an exquisite beaded Azzaro cocktail dress.