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“I don’t see the point in doing something that’s already out there,” says V. Bruce Hoeksema, designer and owner of VBH, the Rome-based luxury house whose jewelry and bags often appear in Vogue. His philosophy is readily apparent both in his handbag and jewelry designs, and in this 10,000-square-foot, 1921 landmark bank turned boutique. Renovated by architect Peter Marino, the space has a luxurious feel, with the sleek, colorful handbags displayed on eclectic furniture across three spacious rooms. (The tribal-inspired, diamond-pavé jewelry collection is housed appropriately enough in the vault.) Ethnic home accessories scattered throughout the rooms are also for sale, as is the modern artwork displayed at the gallery-like entrance. Hoeksema’s completely original yet sophisticated bags—which range in price from the high-hundreds for a small evening clutch to $14,000 for a crocodile day bag—are hand-sewn and assembled by a small team of artisans in Florence, and come in high-end materials like lizard, python, leather, alligator, and suede. The resulting accessories have made VBH a favorite with stylish gals Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, and Gwen Stefani. — Valerie Denny