Reworked Palette

The design of these bags has been an iterative process... from the designs themselves to the materials and colors being used. I changed the palette today slightly to dark blue-ish grey and olive (+ pale grey and black). I really hope the coating testing goes well!!!

Palette

Coating is going to be tested soon. These are the initial colors - pale grey, black, & hunter green - as long as they work on canvas! So exciting... cannot wait to see the coating in the pattern and colors selected. If the colors and pattern work, I will have the organic cotton canvas dyed to match.

texture #

after many weekends drawing potential textures for coating, it turns out that i will be likely using a design i liked towards the beginning of the whole process. it is ironic how things turn out this way! the pattern is similar to a cross-stitch and will be tested on organic cotton canvas to ensure it still has the properties necessary to be a sturdy handbag material. i am keeping my fingers and toes crossed it works out. if it works, it will be used in a tonal way - the coating matching the underlying cotton canvas - so the texture will be very subtle.

slow style

when I was in italy last winter, i learned about the slow foods movement, to counter the rise of fast food and the disappearance of local food traditions. the food produced under this movement tends to be high quality, delicious and healthy. http://www.slowfood.com/

with the time and thought i'm putting into sourcing, design and production, my brand seems to be representative of slow style rather than fast fashion. all the ingredients must be perfect. is my adoption of this philosophy a convenient explanation for the push back of the launch to spring 2011? yes, partially. :) however, i do believe in investing time and energy to design, source and craft products...high quality, well-designed items generate less waste (and less unsightly products on average!)

More Brass

Along with the screws, I will be using industrial solid brass nuts which will show on the inside of the bag. For the longest time, I thought this part was called a bolt so I confused many a hardware store employee when insisting on corresponding bolts for my screws. oops, gotta learn the language!

Brass

The industrial solid brass screws came in today and look great with the bag! I mocked it up with a leather strip and organic cotton canvas. As you can see by the number of holes cut into the leather, I played with the spacing until it looked just right... :)

hello my name is

good news this morning! the tech experts informed me i can hand-draw the texture so it will have a beautiful, slightly uneven quality. it will take me forever, but the result will be worth it. also, i was sketching different monogram ideas today. i am waiting to hear more about the texture before moving forward, but it would be awesome to be able to monogram bag 1, the tote. everybody loves their own name. :) something to work on after the texture is finalized.

(almost) Final Texture

Ok, this is the final texture... almost. It looks like a knit, which I like. Just need the word from the technology expert. Starting a business has lots of ups and downs. I am having issues today antiquing the hardware and sourcing the solid brass hardware I need for the bags. But, I know there will be an up just around the corner!

Logos

I picked up my custom made 'atelier nunu' rubber stamp from a cluttered stamp store with lots of character and an eccentric stamp aficionado owner. I also picked up my embroidered labels. the stamps will be used for packaging and tags and embroidered labels used for the inside of the bag. I am not a big fan of external logo prints on bags. I prefer subtle luxury and brand recognition based on classic styling and quality.

Toggles and Textures

I made toggles today for bag closures with solid brass findings, solid brass beads and subtle colored swarovski crystals in the center. Also, so close to finalizing a nice texture. Sixth time is the charm!

Texture 5

Textured failed again because the lines were too thin and spread apart. So re-created a chunkier, closer knit herringbone. I am keeping my fingers crossed (again) this will work!

Japanese Post & Packaging

I received some beautiful japanese washi paper masking tape. I purchased it to wrap my handbags... when I have bags and orders some day! The stamps from japan were so cute, as was the wrapping of the tape. Something to keep in mind when packaging and shipping my bags.

Mock up of Bag 3

I created a mock up of bag 3, a small crossbody, today. My unfortunate stitching makes it look like a smooshed marshmallow, but the dimensions came out properly. With a flap and design details, the correct materials, and professionals making the bag, it should turn out nicely!

Draft of Bag 2

Draft of Bag 3

Organic Cotton Canvas & Labels

Cheesy

I would like to end the week with some cheesiness, taped above my desk. I keep these questions in mind as I create my own business. My husband was like did you seriously purchase those? Yup, I have an embarrassing penchant for cheesy sayings and dance music! The framed photo in the picture was taken by my talented photographer friend juli, who is also an awesome soccer player. http://julianeeirich.com/

Anyways, have a lovely weekend everyone!

Redo Again

Third attempt at textural pattern failed the technology test. Perhaps it's the fourth time that's a charm? Last attempt of the week is a tiny herringbone pattern, which hints at the la garconne spirit of the brand. I really want to finalize this pattern so we can hurry along our merry organic canvas coating way. After computer crashing and three failed textural attempts this week, it's time for this texture to work! :)

Styling

For the soft launch of atelier nunu, I will be making two or three bags to see how they are received. If all goes well, I will launch a full collection. The 1st style is a large tote, and the 2nd style is a soft hobo. I handstitched a proto of the soft hobo today, which was quite the learning experience. I know different handbag constructions, but I have never handmade a bag. I enjoyed the experience although my stitching is terrible and uneven! :) at least i can get an idea of shape and dimension.

when sketching, sometimes I can design bags that do not quite work in reality... i.e. the gusset sticks out in a weird way or the dimensions are off. but, when creating my own mockup, I can see all the issues as I'm creating. I like the idea of minimizing waste and understanding the bag from the inside out by creating mockups.

Rework

tiny textures that I hope will work!

Good news is my laptop works again. Bad news is the help desk failed to mention that installing the cds completely erases my hard drive. There go all of my documents and pictures. :( Sooo, I'll be spending the night recreating my expenses and spreadsheets and looking at past emails for documents and pictures.

Also, texture failed the technology test again. But, third times a charm! I have to shrink down the pattern and the spaces so that the technology will work, and the bag will be waterproof, abrasion resistant and all the good qualities that it should be.

Waiting for Computadora

Per usual, I ran around the garment district to various suppliers. I was searching for some solid brass and sterling silver hardware. I also spent a lot of time trying to nurse my sick computer back to health with cds that came in the mail. The cds are still doing their thing. I feel a little lost without the use of my laptop. While waiting, I made a long necklace with seed pearls, sterling silver beads, and wool yarn and filled out administrative business and order forms. I'm going to antique the silver before wearing; it's too shiny.

Texture Remix

Unfortunately, texture I created on Saturday does not work with the fabric technology. Mixing luxury and technology is hard work! :) Trying again with a slightly different version. Keeping my fingers crossed that this or something similar will work...

Leather, Lining, and Google

I ordered full-grain, environmetally friendly leather today in a beautiful luggage color. It is vegetable tanned, biodegradable, and chrome free... yippee! Also, the tannery is environmentally conscious and minimizes waste and water. I can't wait to receive the hides. Also, the Belgian linen lining that was printed yesterday looks nice with the luggage colored leather and brass zipper.

AND, I am SO excited that when I google "atelier nunu," my website and blog actually come up! :) When I first created my website and blog, nothing came up on google and I was so sad!

Printing

This morning I headed to Brooklyn to select colors and watch the fabric get printed by hand. The printing studio did such a nice job. I wanted a slightly faded look for the print and they did that by only running the ink once over the screen. Also, the grey color they mixed was perfect. It turned out as I wanted, like pencil etchings on linen.

Sadly, my laptop died on me... something about Windows not working. I hope I can figure out how to fix it soon!

Rolls of Fabric

Screen and prepped fabric

Mixing the water-based non-toxic ink

Voila! grey ink

Busy Bee

This weekend was very busy with drawing textures and shopping for zippers. So many choices! It's fun to see all the components coming together.

This was my Saturday. I handrew every single tiny line. I hope it will work... Or I may cry. :)

Awesome zipper store with millions of zippers and a shop owner who has supplied zippers for over 50 years

Mock-up of inside coming together

Inspiring Trip

company

company philosophy. i like it.

amazing technology on fabric

conference room

conference room

sunset on flight home

After meeting with many textile manufacturers, across Italy and the US, I think I finally found the right one, with really cool technology. Journey is just beginning... have to do more to ensure that it dovetails with the look of the brand.