A Mighty Launch

Hi,

I am incredibly excited to invite you to the launch of my handbag range and my brand, Mighty.

It is gonna be 2 afternoons filled with lots of awesome goodies to buy (Mighty handbags, vintage sunglasses, clothes, linen, scarves, kimono's, men's t-shirts...) as well as some wine, of course. Bizous and Kathy Mellor are going to be joining us with their incredible ranges.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, please send this on to them.

x

Here I am

Here I Am- It all began with this bag, an idea I have been toying with for a long time due to the frustration of not being able to find anything in my handbag. And so came the idea of compartmentalising a handbag, as you open it up there are sections, created by removable panels, that keep everything in it’s place. The name says it all, Here I Am, and its functionality aside, the combination of colours, sheepskin leathers, canvas and patterned materials all make for a beautiful statement bag.

The Coi

I wanted to make a handbag which was all about the bag. You dress to suit it and not have to match it with your outfit. The look of The Coi is reminiscent of a Japanese Geisha’s fan. Fitting snugly around the arm and shoulder joint, the circular design has a small pouch that sits in the underarm area and the top semi-circle extends upwards to look like a fan. All you can fit inside the pouch is a phone, a card and some cash. So, it’s a statement party bag!

Pursue

Pursue - The Pursue is actually a big wallet, with pockets inside for credit cards and money as well as compartments for other basics, but is used as a clutch bag. This sexy ‘little-big’ purse is made from the softest of sheepskins in 4 winter colours and its function and sleek look both vie for the spotlight.

Handle Me

The Handle Me - This bag has been designed with the creatively stylish woman in mind, who also appreciates the functionality of fashion items. The handles of these sheepskin leather bags are other wardrobe staples, like scarf’s and belts, which means they provide the opportunity for women to get creative with how they are used.

A lot of help from my Friends

I arrived in Cape Town on the 15th of June with a million things to do and not completely clear on how to get it all done. The first beautiful thing to happen to me was my amazing friend, Genevieve Fisher, arrived at my parents home with a PR plan, great ideas on how to pull things together and a backpack full of inspiration. This was the spark that got my fire started. I began my blog, I made some calls and things began to grow.

Secondly, another epic friend, Stephen Greeff offered to shoot the handbags for me. This in combination with my beautiful lady friends modeling for me, it turned into a magical afternoon with everyone trying everything on and drinking champagne and hanging out.

The photos turned out so beautifully. Big smile on my face.

The Logo

I am an art director and a graphic designer.
I have designed over 40 logos in my career. All were a skip in the garden compared to my own logo. I freaked myself out completely and it took me a month to even begin. I took it over the top, I went boring, I thought about hiring someone else...
I landed up doing simple and graphic.
In the end, I love what I did. I think it ties in so nicely with the brand and the idea that Mighty is fun and powerful.

The name

Coming up with a name has been the most difficult thing so far.
I came up with so many, almost every single one sounding ridiculous. And when I was lead astray by a bad pun, Dan made me see the error of my ways.
Then there was one, Uppercase, which I loved but has been used by a suitcase company in the UK.
So we went looking for memories and triggers from my life and came across an old pet named Mighty.
We dug it and the fact that we agreed, meant it was 'the one'.
There is something about the word Mighty, which I think perfectly describes the lady I want to be.
The connotations are fun and feminine, but with a very powerful meaning. I love the combination of these different descriptions. It is a combination I want each handbag to embrace.

The Mighty Pop-up store

Flexibility

A new thought - a flexible handbag.
There's a better word than flexible, but it has completely escaped me. Multi-talented?
Well anyway, why does a handbag have to be exactly what it is? Why can't is be 3 or 4 different things?
OH, adaptable! phew
This is the inspiration for my new design. An adaptable handbag.
Maybe a handbag with an interchangeable handle? yummy

The Hunt

Nothing is simple in this country. India is mad, there is no organisation and everything is almost impossible. But once you find what you are looking for, you are usually greatly rewarded.
And then you have to get into negotiations...
Thank goodness for Katie Pitman from the beautiful Bizous... she has been a huge source of information and advice. Muchos Luvos K.

The beginning

After quitting my awful job in Delhi and having the best wedding ever, I spent 3 months hanging about in India, watching copious amounts of television and feeling rather bored & sorry for myself. Eventually I pulled myself out of my pit and decided to start realising some of my favourite thoughts.
I have spent half my 10 year relationship with 2 homes and living out of bags. I now believe that bags, especially handbags, are very inconveniently designed.
I wanted a handbag I was in charge of, one that didn't entail endless minutes of hunting.
I also wanted a handbag which was all about the handbag. Something you have to match your dress with, something rediculously over the top. I started with the over the top.

These were the first steps in what I hope to be a long, crazy & amazing journey.