Fashion, Evolved

There are lots of small labels and independent designers out there, but it is rare to find one that has such a well-defined style that it is easy to spot one of their creations just on first sight.  Mandy Ng’s Füchst Bags are so iconic that they can literally be picked out from a crowd.  Ng’s use of color and her unique choices in fabrics and leather make these handmade bags the ultimate haute accessory.

Ng spent a few minutes answering questions about her budding young company:

How did you come up with the name of your label?

I love smart designs and my intention is to not create just any bag…but a multi-functional stylish accessory that can be proudly carried anywhere. Some of my bags are designed with interchangeable straps so that it can be used as a wristlet, shoulder bag, or knapsack. These are reasons why I decided to come up with a name that is representative of my actual product… “FUCHST BAGS”. It’s simply short for Functional, Chic, and Stylish. I always keep my business name in mind whenever I come up with a new design.

What kind of woman buys Füchst Bags?

Women who are interested in unique handmade products will buy my bag. I also create a line of diaper bags so have quite a few moms buying my Lotus hobo/diaper bags.

Describe your design aesthetic in three words.
Unique, Chic, Stylish

What has been your biggest challenge in launching Füchst Bags?

My biggest challenge in launching Füchst Bags is juggling my time between designing, creating and marketing my products.

What has been the most rewarding part of launching Füchst Bags?

The most rewarding part of launching Füchst Bags is hearing the overwhelmingly positive feedback from satisfied customers who have purchased my products. On several occasions, my clients were so happy with my product that they blog about it.

What advice would you give to other women who are interested in starting up their own business?

I really don’t think I’m in a position to provide advice because I’m still on a learning curve myself. But if I really had to…I would say to do lots of research before taking the plunge. Find your own niche and do the best you can.

What kinds of opportunities are you currently seeking for Füchst Bags?

I am planning to develop my own website soon, and will perhaps consider selling my products at wholesale trade shows.

Do you have a formal design education?

Yes, I have a College Diploma in Fashion Technique and Design.

Where do you get your design inspiration?

My design inspiration comes from what I see or do everyday. If you follow my blog you have probably read that a heart shaped potato that I came across one day inspired me to design my next handbag with a heart shaped handle. On another occasion, I was reading a magazine article on designer bathing suits. They were beautiful and had fabulous neck lines, and I thought if a woman’s body could look sexy in a bathing suit, why couldn’t her wrist look sexy too? So, I came up with a sexy wristlet named Aquabella. My ideas are often inspired while sitting in the car, watching TV or walking along a crowded street.

What has been the best feedback you’ve received from one of your customers?

I received an email from a happy customer who purchased two of the above bags (one for her mom as a birthday gift and for herself). This is what she e-mailed me when she received it,

“Mandy, Can I just say Oh…MY…GAWD! I LOVE THIS BAG! It’s even more incredible than I expected. I am SO impressed with the quality of your workmanship and that someone who is not a machine can put out something like that? It’s adorable, it’s a perfect size, the colours match my coat perfectly and my mom also loves hers. I am off to tell all my friends about you. Thanks again for the wonderful service and product and I am going to order another one for spring in brighter colours. I’m expecting another baby then and I think it’s an awesome size for a diaper bag too! ”

Where can people buy Fuchst bags?
You can purchase my handmade bags at: www.fuchstbags.etsy.com

You can also visit me at The Beaches Arts & Crafts Show in Toronto June 12th – 13th, 2010 and The Artisans at The Distillery Show in Toronto July 31 & August 1 & 2, 2010

You can follow Mandy Ng on her blog, her Facebook page, and Twitter. And shop her Etsy store.  And take a look at some of her most exquisite pieces:

Gentlemen’s Blouse by Turk & Taylor – $168

Longer length button down shirt dress with wide color and 3/4 french cuffed sleeves. Stretchy light weight denim provides structure and perfectly styled box darts give this blouse the perfect shape.   90% Organic Cotton, 10% Spandex

Po-Zu Elm Boot – $345

The boots are based on the ingenious 60% coconut husk and 40% natural latex rubber foot mattress that gradually moulds to the shape of your foot.  The upper is made of vegetable tanned, reclaimed animal hides. You’ll receive your boots in a 100% recycled cardboard box.

Carpet Bag by Kim White – $275

Trimmed in dark brown distressed leather. Tubular straps loop through antique brass grommets on the sides and are secured at the top by a leather piece so they sit comfortable on your shoulder. Lined in brown faux suede. 13” high x 12” wide x 3.5” deep (bag only). Straps 13” from top of straps to top of bag.

Hooded Knit Wrap by ecoskin – $160

100% bamboo tencel spandex from a sustainable mission company. Petroleum-alternative fibers used, sweat-shop free, made in the USA.

Peep Show Palette by Tarte – $37.00

This is not your average eye-popping palette! Lift the lid and you’ll find an eye primer, 3 smoky eyeshadows in various shades of onyx and a compact mirror for easy touch-ups. But, just when you think you’ve seen it all…stashed away in their pull-out drawers are 2 double-ended eye brushes and madame x natural eyeliner. Formulated without: mineral oil & petrolatum, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, and synthetic fragrance. Dermatologist tested. Cruelty-free.

In my former life I was Fred Sanford, or some other reasonable facsimile.

True story:  When I was a little girl I would go for walks and find pieces of garbage on the road that had some redeeming value (a ribbon for gift wrap, pieces of metal in interesting shapes) and bring them home and try to sell them to my parents.

Ecoist handbags are a sort of dream come true for me.  In fact, if I had not decided to pursue a lofty career as an blogger, I may have chosen a path as the designer of something very similar.

Made from all kinds of recycled materials, these bags are quirky and funky and have a real ‘deconstructed-capitalism’ vibe them.

Wrapper Bags are made of recycled candy wrappers, soda labels and other packaging.  They range from $22 for the small pouch to $188 for the large portfolio tote.  I used to make art out of the candy wrappers from Easter Colored Mini-Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.  Why did I ever give that up?

Movie Billboard Handbags are all one-of-a-kind pieces made from billboards that were headed for the landfill after doing their dirty job of luring people in to theaters to waste their hard earned cash on cinematic drivel.  Being a handbag is a much more noble mission in life, wouldn’t you say?  This style comes in cardholders, yoga bags, and laptop cases as well.  $15-$78

Rice Bags made from recycled rice and feed bags.  You know, I used to carry an empty rice bag as a purse until my husband made me stop.  He thought it was Asian-ghetto.  I guess he was wrong.  Ha ha.

Pull-top Hanbags.  Made from the pulltabs on the tops of soda cans, this bag is actually very rock n’ roll.  Just tell people that you made it yourself out of all the beer cans you went through last week. $38-$160.