First of all I think when investing in a handcrafted bag that is supposed to last a lifetime, going as classic as you can makes sure you will still love your bag many years from now. I want you to love your bag not just for a short period of time but for many years to come.
Design with a purpose
When designing a new bag I try to think about what purpose it will serve in the first place. What will the bag be used for? Will it be a companion for a gala party or will it be your best friend on a daily basis?
Coming from the purpose the bag is supposed to serve I then think about the details required to fulfill the needs you might have on the occasion. What would your requirements be for a bag you'd really love to use on a daily basis? What is a bag supposed to carry for the grand evening event?
The box bag was designed to be your companion on those everyday adventures. For all of the times you need all of your essentials but also you also need your hands free. Coming from this purpose the design of the bag evolved around it.
Coming from dislike
In addition to what you might need from the bag I also go the other way round. Thinking about the features I disliked in bags that I used to own. Think about the bag you loved when you bought it to match that one certain dress, but then the shoulder strap was way to short or so thin that it hurt? That one bag you loved to carry around but one of the handles always slid off your shoulder? I try to remember all of the little details I didn't like so I can avoid them when designing a new item.
It's a personal matter
As for design and taste I think what we like and prefer is different for all of us! How many times have I seen somebody running around with a bag that I absolutely hated when they seemed pretty happy with what they got. As a matter of fact, I have always seen more items I thought to be outrageously ugly than things I actually found appealing. No matter if it's handbags, clothing, shoes or furniture. It sometimes takes me what feels like an eternity to find something I do like. So when it comes to my collection I strive to reach people who feel like me with what is out there already.
Classic yet interesting
So how do I keep things interesting? I want the bag to be a classic yet I don't want it to look dull or boring. This is when working with leather really serves me the most. With leather you have so many options to combine different structures, colors and shapes. With the "M.C. Bag" I combined the half moon shape with the color and structure of the beautiful olive colored lambskin I got my hands on earlier this year. The shape was inspired by a friend of mine who loved her half moon crossbody bag. Yet I wanted the bag to serve a different purpose, offering more space for all of your everyday items.
The two different types of leather structures on the M.C. Bag
The M.C is an everyday companion which is classic enough to go with almost every outfit you choose yet interesting enough to be visible and make your outfit complete.
All in all I try to design classic yet interesting handbags which fulfill the purpose they where designed for. Handbags you love to use frequently, you go back to all the time, that suite your needs and that stand out yet don't outshine you.
And remember, if there is anything you would want to change about any of my designs to make it really suit your needs I'd love to make it happen for you. Because we all are different and have different kinds of needs in mostly all aspects of our lives.
LOVE
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