Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti blew into town this week. I don't suppose you have heard of her and nor, until recently, had I. But I knew of her magazine and website, both called Vivre (www.vivre.com). I knew that both had a cult following, that in the US some 250,000 customers buy regularly from the site, and that her magazine goes out to 400,000 devoted readers. That made her worth meeting.

Eva embodies the brand. There she sits, long hair shining, dressed in understated but beautiful trousers and a silver cabled cardigan. She also sports a gorgeous gold pendant. Around her shoulders is something halfway between a throw and a scarf, in a combination of wool and (faux?) fur, while a black crystal embellished crocodile curves round one wrist, beside a vast watch. It's an eclectic mix - and that's what Vivre is all about.

Vivre exists, according to Eva, “to bring a different point of view of luxury”. Price is not the point. Some things are expensive (limited-edition works of art at £27,000) and some astonishingly reasonable (a gorgeous Michael Kors big-sleeved blouse for £40). It's all about lifestyle. If Eva likes it, it's in. If she doesn't, it's out. Her tastes veer towards the glamorous but she has a keen eye for the new designer, the distinctive piece, the hidden gem.

In her catalogue-cum-magazine I found quite a few brands of which I'd never heard. There is the Parisian shoe designer Alexa Wagner, who produces original (and vertiginous) shoes.

There is the soignée American stationer, Mrs John L Strong, now brought up to date by Nanette Brown. And there are fantastic little perfumery houses such as Antica Farmacista.

She is also a big fan of Miriam Haskell, that wonderful American jeweller. Haskell herself died years ago but the house has been resurrected and is producing some marvellous pieces, all imbued with the authentic spirit. Vivre has rings, marvellous summery necklaces featuring bone, wood, glass stones and mother of pearl, and a sensational gold scarf necklace (£2,095) and earrings.

You can find pieces from such mainstream designers as Oscar de la Renta and Anya Hindmarch, as well as cute little knits and fantastic jewelled sandals from people you've never heard of. She doesn't do serious clothing but concentrates on the smaller accessories that give life and pizzazz to almost any outfit. She is big on holiday wear (delicate kaftans from Easton Pearson), plus the perfect floppy sun hat, comfy loafers and subtle pieces from brands such as Beretta.

She is also keen on design and there is beautiful glass from Murano, some fantastic plates by Ludgrove & Repucci, and some astonishing one-offs, such as a hand-tooled leather chair enlivened with graffiti paintings by Ted Nemeth (£2,554).

Some things she designs herself, including the simple gold bag that she is carrying when we meet. “It packs absolutely flat,” she tells me.

She is not pretending to be about necessities - rather a bit of fantasy and gorgeousness. On her website you'll find all sorts of tips on, for instance, giving presents or going on holiday, but what I like most about both the site and her magazine is that they bring to a wider audience the work of wonderful artisans that we might never otherwise have discovered. Although at the moment she is based in New York (plans are being hatched to bring the operation to London), everything can be bought via her website. You can subscribe to her magazine for $10 (£5), which is redeemable off the first purchase.

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