Tag Archives: handbag

This Modular Handbag Ditches Stitches for Interlocking Leather Pieces

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In 2022, reports highlighted a significant trend among Iranian students and entrepreneurs: nearly 50% expressed a desire to emigrate, and 62% were undecided about returning home. This emigration wave, driven by the pursuit of better opportunities, underscores a broader narrative of seeking growth despite facing mental, emotional, and physical challenges. Olka, meaning “homeland” in Persian, is a product born from this very spirit of resilience and transformation.

Olka is a bag that symbolizes the journey of Iranian youth who venture abroad to build better lives. Inspired by these stories, it captures the essence of migration as a path fraught with pain yet ripe with potential for growth. The design metaphorically represents this journey, where every slit and seam is a stepping stone toward creating something beautiful, similar to a flower blooming through adversity.

Designer: Maryam Hosseini

Leather, known for its durability, often outlasts the threads used in stitching, which degrade faster, compromising the overall longevity of leather products. Olka addresses this issue innovatively by eliminating stitches altogether. Instead, it uses a modular interlocking system where leather pieces fit seamlessly together. This not only enhances the product’s durability but also streamlines production, as the assembly process is faster and more efficient. Additionally, any damaged component can be easily replaced, extending the bag’s life and making it sustainably fashionable.

One of Olka’s standout features is its consumer-centric design approach. The bag comprises 72 genuine cow leather pieces, each meticulously designed in 2D and 3D using AutoCAD and precisely cut with laser technology. These pieces are interwoven, creating a sturdy, cohesive structure without the need for stitching. Consumers have the option to order the bag in separate components, accompanied by a manual, allowing them to assemble it themselves. This DIY aspect fosters a deep emotional connection and sense of belonging, as users actively participate in the creation of their bag.

Olka also includes a handcrafted inner bag made from genuine cow leather, which can be used independently as a minimalist crossbody bag. This dual-functionality adds to the product’s versatility and appeal, catering to various needs and occasions.

The journey to creating the bag involved extensive research across several domains, including interlocking systems, modular design, consumer behavior, DIY product trends, and the migration patterns of young Iranians. This thorough exploration ensured that Olka was not just a product, but a solution that resonates deeply with its target audience. The primary challenge faced during Olka’s development was ensuring that the interlocked components provided strength comparable to traditional stitching. Additionally, the concept of delivering the bag in separate pieces for consumer assembly required meticulous testing to guarantee ease of use and durability. The successful resolution of these challenges is a testament to the innovative spirit and technical expertise behind the bag.

The post This Modular Handbag Ditches Stitches for Interlocking Leather Pieces first appeared on Yanko Design.

Origami-inspired handbag shapeshifts into different forms to give you a new bag everyday

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Imagine a single bag that transforms into countless forms, adapting to your mood and needs. This might sound like sci-fi, but it’s actually the beautiful Infinite Convertible Bag, designed by Maryam Hosseini. Addressing the need with elegance and innovation, the Infinite Bag emerges as a testament to timeless design inspired by the rich heritage of Iranian architecture while embracing the principles of sustainability and versatility.

Designer: Maryam Hosseini

The genesis of the Infinite Bag draws inspiration from the intricate geometry pattern beautifying the dome of the music hall of Aali Qapu, an imperial palace nestled in Iran, dating back to 1957 C.E. Iranian architecture during the Safavid period was deeply rooted in mathematical precision and geometric proportions, echoing the language of nature itself. The domes of this era exemplify a seamless fusion of art and mathematics, where 2D designs effortlessly transform into mesmerizing 3D spaces through meticulous layering.

Embracing this ethos, the bag ingeniously incorporates origami techniques to fold its leather pieces into an array of shapes, echoing the transformative essence of Iranian architectural masterpieces. Like a puzzle waiting to be solved, the bag offers over 40 different configurations, both symmetrical and asymmetrical, allowing users to tailor its shape to match their mood or occasion. Contemporarily, we all know that individuality reigns supreme, and the Infinite Bag emerges as a canvas for self-expression, empowering users to craft their unique narrative with every fold.

Crafted from 96 pieces of genuine cow leather and 18 sets of no-sew snap metal buttons, the Infinite Bag is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each component is meticulously designed in both 2D and 3D using AutoCAD before being precision-cut with laser technology. The pieces are then delicately attached to a soft and foldable suede base, culminating in a masterpiece sewn entirely by hand. The design team grappled with the delicate balance between form and function, ensuring that the bag retained its exquisite aesthetics while remaining practical for everyday use. Furthermore, the selection of materials posed its own set of hurdles, with the team meticulously scrutinizing various options to find the perfect balance of durability and flexibility.

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‘Black Panther’ Costume Designer Launches Otherworldly 3D-Printed Handbags

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Famous for helping design the jewelry (including Queen Ramonda’s headgear) from the hit film Black Panther, award-winning Australian designer Julia Koerner relies on a combination of nature and computer algorithms to bring her creations to life. Her handbags, available on her website, follow a similar design route, with an aesthetic so out-of-this-world, chances are you’ll think the bags have a life of their own. Designed using algorithms and 3D printed to perfection, Koerner’s handbags are rigid, but visually lightweight, boasting a skeletal design that feels almost alien-like. However, Koerner takes inspiration from life around her, looking at nature for ideas. This particular bag draws from the shape of dried kelp found along the pacific coastline.

Designers: Julia Koerner, Kais Al-Rawi and Emma Sanson

The KELP MINI handbag was created using actual 3D scans of Kelp that were then edited, manipulated, and turned into a handbag-esque form. The handbag is almost entirely made out of 3D printed plastic, using resin-based printing techniques (which helps create flawless glossy surfaces with minimal print lines).

The bags are hinged at the base, with a cleverly detailed clasp on the top created using parts that snap to interlock when the bag is shut. The bag’s chain gets hooked onto details inside the bag, keeping the outer design clean, while allowing the chain to pass through one of the bag’s many openings.

Don’t expect the handbag to store much, given its compact, rigid design. Small items will easily fall out, but otherwise the KELP MINI is perfect for a coin purse, wallet, lipstick, and maybe a pair of sunglasses.

The bag’s immaculate designs are completely printed in sustainable plant based material, with the printers running entirely on solar energy. While Koerner takes heavy inspiration from nature, her reverence extends to protecting her source of inspiration too, ensuring that her products have minimal environmental impact. The handbags are printed in LA for shipping in America, and Vienna for Europe orders. For bags that have minor misprints, Koerner even sells them at a discount, ensuring nothing gets wasted.

The beauty of Koerner’s designs lie in the fact that they look so bizarrely different, you won’t be able to take your eyes off them. Whether it’s the jewlery from Black Panther or any of her other work, Koerner taps into an almost wild side of nature, relying on unconventional curves and organic geometry that bridges the lines between existing and impossible, and between design and art.

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