handmade bags
Handmade Laptop Bags, iPhone and iPad sleeves by « LapaPorter »
Lapàporter | Berlin | Germany
« Elegant Leather Bags for Laptops, Blackberries, iPhones and iPads »
The elegant handmade leather laptop bags and iPhone, iPad and Blackberry sleeves shown above are made in Germany by « Lapàporter ».
Ilka Brand established « Lapàporter » in Berlin shortly after finishing her fashion design studies in Berlin and Milan. Ilka worked for some time in the fashion industry, but passionate about the idea of her own label for handmade laptop bags she decided to quit her job to pursue her true calling. Thus, she moved back to Berlin to establish her label « Lapàporter ».
The brand name is inspired by the laptop bags that she always wanted to make as she couldn’t find a laptop or phone pouch that met her standards in terms of quality and aesthetics. Thus, « Lap (=Laptop) à porter (= French for to wear) ».
Ilka loves beautiful, soft materials because she appreciates a soft feel. She loves structures and describes her style as classic, elegant and timeless.
For the time being she focuses on sleeves for iPhone, iPods, iPads and Blackberry and Laptop bags. But she plans to add a line of bags that also fit accessories such as cables and papers. Upon request she does custom orders and you can even order some beautifully wrapped gifts online.
We treasure handmade items and start-ups in particular and we really like what she has come up with so far. Therefore we have asked Ilka a couple of questions on her entrepreneurial journey so far and we share her story with you. Enjoy!
How would you summarize Lapàporter's mission in one sentence?
Lapaporter brings style and elegance to accessories for electronic devices.
How did you come up with the idea for your bags?
I have been searching myself for an elegant laptop sleeve for so long and could not find any. And, I simply love bags.
Where do you currently sell your bags?
I sell from my own online boutique and in stores in Germany and Austria.
How would you describe your typical/ideal customer?
She or he has a taste for timeless classical design, and loves lifestyle products.
What are your favorite materials and why?
I love leather as a natural material and I particularly love the softness of a lamb’s leather skin.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
I love classic values; a beautiful material can stand for its own, with a simple cut and I love handmade items.
What's your bestseller?
The iPhone sleeve!
What inspires you?
Materials, colors, and my travels.
What motivates you?
Having the opportunity to do what I love.
Are you running a « one woman show »?
Yes, but I occasionally hire some student intern support.
Is Berlin a great spot for young emerging designers like yourself and do you find it easy to network and cooperate with other creative people?
I love working in Berlin - the network and the energy here is great.
Did you always want to become an entrepreneur?
No, I knew I wanted to design but having my own company was not planned.
What does it take to become an entrepreneur in your view?
Creativity, self-motivation and self-discipline.
What has been the biggest challenge?
Starting a business without a lot of funding, no financial background and on a small budget.
What has been the most exciting moment so far?
The first orders in my own online shop just a few days after it was launched.
Every time I receive feedback from my customers that love my products.
Any lessons learned?
Be patient and keep on going!
What’s next?
The new collection of iPhone sleeves is coming out soon and the new line of iPad sleeves.
What’s your vision for Lapaporter in five years from now?
I would love to spread the word more internationally and sell « Lapàporter » in Europe and the USA. I would love to open my own shop in the future.
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AWESOME HANDMADE Eco Friendly BAGS WITH A DEEPER SENSE
KAIJA NY ⎪ New York (NY) ⎪ USA
« Handmade Bags by Fashion label Kaija NY »
The handmade KAIJA bags make a great green fashion statement for eco conscious fashionistas.
We just love everything about them – the reasonable price, the unique design, the natural & organic material used, the fact that they are handmade, the owner’s story and last but not least the charitable aspect of socially and economically empowering impoverished women in the Philippines.
It all started in 2006. Founder, owner and designer Khrisna Justo literally decided out of the blue to start-up her own business while vacationing in the Philippines, her home country. On a stroll through Boracay, a popular tourist destination, Khrisna - a at that time manager of a NYC health club - discovered that impoverished women were making goods out of weaving natural palm fibers to earn a living. Realizing the incredible potential of these women’s skills, she decided not only to spread the word and talents of them but also to provide stable employment and new opportunities for these women. Because of such objective she named her handbag label Kaija (pronounced « kah-yah »), which means « able » in Filipino.
We just like what Krishna has come up with so far and we can’t wait to see more. But there already is quite some variety to choose from! There truly is a Kaija clutch for all occasions.
Khrisna even does lovely baby (diaper) bags. Don’t you think they would make a great eco friendly gift for a friend expecting?
We think Kaija is a great green start-up offering unique feel-good products. If there would only be more such labels that successfully manage to combine, fashion, style, luxury and glamour with charitable causes, eco friendliness, fun and reasonable prices!
But go and see for yourself. Enjoy!
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Cute Handmade Bags by Amal Khourshid's Fashion Label AILA
© Aila Design
Aila Design ⎪ Beirut | Lebanon
« Awesome Handmade Bags and Small Leather Goods by AILA »
The label Aila does the awesome handmade bags shown above.
Aila is the brainchild of young Kuwaiti designer Amal Khourshid, who owns the hip new fashion brand Aila Design.
Aren’t they hot? We think so and we have Amal share her story with you. Currently, she is based in Lebanon and her story reads like a fairytale. Why? Read on and see how it all started.
Amal's respectively Aila's story started with the love for exotic skins about two years ago. By coincidence Amal found a store selling beautiful imported python skins. She decided to buy one herself, and to her luck, at the store, she bumped into a traditional handbag crafter. He proposed to create the bag for her if she had a specific design in mind. The rest is history.
Amal’s first clutch turned out a beautiful piece. Every time she would carry it, people would come to her and ask for the designer. In the end she started taking orders and it all began.
She decided to have her first exhibition, and due to its success she started making collections every season.Today she has nine different point of sales, and 3 more to come.
Her handmade creations consist of mainly clutches, as well as small leather goods and beach bags. All her products are handmade and produced with genuine leather or python skins.
We believe her story is another good match for know what and where .com as it demonstrates the great entrepreneurship behind.
But go and see for yourself. Enjoy!
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Handmade Luxury Handbags by New Fashion Label IMI
© IMI
IMI ⎪ London | UK
« IMI's Handmade Luxury Bags for Some Instant Glamor »
The new fashion label IMI (= I am I) by Simrin Singh does the cute handmade luxury bags shown above.
Having worked with India's best Fashion and Accessory designers for over 4 years, Simrin decided to make her passion for fashion her business and established her label IMI in July 2009 after relocating to London.
Simrin’s work at IMI is inspired by her new home London and its wealth of different cultures. Due to her love for anything and everything that sparkles and glitters she considered Swarovski the ideal material for her bags. And she is convinced that no matter what you wear, an IMI bag can make you look instantly glamorous. It makes you shine like the stars.
IMI believes that each person can make a statement by being herself. Thus, IMI’s brand mission to help you express your individuality. To offer something for each facet of your personality, IMI’s designs range from simple and elegant to frivolous and fun.
IMI bags are handcrafted in Hong Kong using crystals of different sizes and colors on moulds, depending on the design of the particular bag. Each bag comes with a certificate of authenticity from Swarovski.
IMI bags are currently available at stores in the UK, Spain, UAE and retail prices vary from£300 to £900. Don’t you think they are hot yet affordable luxury? We particularly like their Panda style - cute!
But go and see for your self. Enjoy!
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Handmade Statement Bags By Lebanese Fashion Label MOJO
© Mojo Handbags
MOJO Handbags ⎪ Lebanon
« Must Have Statements Bags Handcrafted By Lebanese Artisans »
Hip fashion label MOJO designs these cute bags. We like everything about MOJO - the unique design, the high quality and attention to the little detail, the fact that each bag is handmade by Lebanese artisans and certainly the inspiring story behind.
This is why we want to share our interview with the Lebanese Owner, Founder and Designer Mariana Jammal Bassatne with you.
What were you doing before? Did you always consider establishing a fashion label one day?
Fashion design was never a career I thought I would ever get into as a communications graduate.
Why do you do bags and accessories?
The reason I started with handbags and accessories is my love of working with original leathers as well as my love to create. I always felt that wearing the right accessories and carrying the right handbag can really make the simplest of outfits into a fashion statement.
What made you decide to establish MOJO - was there a triggering event?
It all started with my search for the perfect clutch to compliment my outfit. After hours of ransacking stores with no hope in sight, I decided to design my own clutch. It took me a while to find an artisan who would be able to meet my demands. But I finally found one who made 10 beautiful handmade python clutch bags. Not knowing what to do with them, I decided to try and sell them to my friends. They went like hot cakes. This was when it clicked; this is something I should tackle. That was in 2005.
Tell us about your label MOJO - its philosophy & characteristics
I decided on the name MOJO by trying to figure out a name for my creations using my initials and at the same time have a deep meaning. Hence MOJO, which is defined as a secret charm and something magical.
MOJO’s mission is to create funky and edgy handbags and accessories fashion confident women who like to be different and like to stand out.
As my business grew I needed help to handle the orders. This is why my sister and boutique owner Lama Jammal joined the label as a partner in 2007. We do most of the management and creation as a team. We believe in working with traditional craftsmen in hand making each MOJO bag using quality leathers.
What are your plans for the future? Any plans to expand beyond your accessory line?
We are currently working on opening a show room here in Lebanon, and we will be showing our products in London Fashion Week in September. And we started working on designing a clothing line and a beach collection.
What has been the most exciting moment so far?
I guess the most exciting moment so far would have to be establishing my label. It is a reflection of my ideas and a reflection of how I see the world around me. It is my passion and gives me the luxury and freedom to create.
Isn't this an inspiring story? MOJO might only be three/four years in business but it rapidly became a success. We certainly see the reason why.
But go and see for yourself. Enjoy!
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BAGS THAT ROCK - HOT Fashion LABEL TO WATCH FROM GERMANY
© Kaviar Gauche
KAVIAR GAUCHE ⎪ Berlin ⎪ Germany
« Hip Label from Germany's Fashion Hot Spot Berlin »
KAVIAR GAUCHE is the name of the label doing these hip « must have » bags.
Design duo Alexandra Fischer-Röhler und Johanna Kühl established their cool brand in Germany’s fashion hot spot Berlin in 2003.
KAVIAR GAUCHE's philosophy is to merge various styles. This also applies to their lovely bags.
Their signature « Lamella bag » has already become a classic. But they keep coming up with some fancy contemporary interpretations.
And their bags are very versatile, too. No matter if you are looking for a sexy clutch for your next night at the Opera or club, an oversize bag for your commute to work - KAVIAR GAUCHE bags make a great companion and fashion statement, day and night. They are elegant, stylish and modern accessories but have the potential to become timeless classics. Don't you think they make nice gifts?
But go and see for yourself.
Enjoy!
versatile laptop bags for women who want everything
© Haikouella
HAIKOUELLA | Bali | Indonesia
« Versatile Laptop Bags for Multitasking Women »
HAIKOUELLA is the label doing these beautifully designed laptop bags for ladies.
HAIKOUELLA bags are chic and versatile at the same time.
Did you ever run packed with bags like a donkey across an airport? And who does not complain about some airport's or airline's « one hand-luggage policy » – at least when you are traveling with your laptop. But even if you have no such stories to tell you might as well appreciate HAIKOUELLA bags because they are designed for multitaskers. HAIKOUELLA's mission statement is that they « want to put a smile on the faces of all the great ladies out there » and we believe in their success.
The attention to the little detail is evident and you will soon recognize in practice that these bags were designed by women for women.
We particularly like the combined hand & laptop bag « CrazyMary » and their trolley laptop bag « TrollyDolly ».
But even more convincing than the cool designs is HAIKOUELLA’s corporate philosophy because it is a brand with a deeper purpose. It is said that HAIKOUELLA donates 10% of its profits to support street kids in Jakarta, Indonesia.
If you want to learn more about the « Matahari Foundation Jakarta » they are supporting please visit their website.
Need any more reasons? HAIKOUELLA might be one of these brands where you just buy more and more. Great to remember that it is also for a good reason: « with every purchase of a HAIKOUELLA bag YOU are part of a better future for these [Jakarta street] kids ».
But go and see for yourself. Enjoy!
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Beautiful handMade Bags: Nora Karen's embroidered totes
© Nora Karen
NORA KAREN BAGS | Miami (FL) | USA
« Hand Embroidered Peacock Totes by Nora Karen »
Nora Gonzalez designs these beautiful hand embroidered peacock canvas totes for her fashion label Nora Karen.
NORA's canvas totes have the ideal size and can be used on many occasions – from the beach to a shopping in town. There are more motives to choose from such as various types of peacock – hand-painted only, embroidered or some with real peacock feathers.
Besides the peacock style NORA also does owl motives and she also puts her designs on clothes.
We believe that NORA's totes are a fun fashion statement, truly unique and luckily they don’t cost a fortune. A nice and easy, truly affordable way to spice up your next stroll through the city or your day on the beach.
We are conscious re the environment but our « green items » have to look good. NORA's versatile and easy to carry around bags are therefore a perfect match and make a great eco friendly gift.
Her totes look great and make a perfect shopping companion. Easily stored and carried around in your handbag they make a nice and fun fashion statement once you have done some shopping.
We admit that we are not into the ordinary brown paper bags, which are so popular among « recessionistas » right now. We prefer to add some extra color to cope with current news. Remember: It is said that colors have a positive impact on mind and spirit....
But go and see for yourself. Enjoy!
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