News / Start-ups
Handbag designer hunts ?40k investment
Bristol fashion designer Jennifer Hamley is looking for backers to help develop her luxury workbag range. She is seeking £40,000 investment through crowdfunding platform Indiegogo to help develop her range of leather bags, raising nearly a quarter of the target in just six days.
The products are aimed at busy professional women and include thoughtful features for organising urban life, including a removable tablet case, emergency power pack, reusable shopping bag and cable holder, all made from soft calf leather.
The designer – whose previous company made feather headpieces for the wedding industry – won two awards for her Model K.T. bag at last year’s Independent Handbag Designer Awards in New York.
“Up until about two years ago I was running a different business,” says Jen. “I’ve always wanted to work for myself and have always been a creative, so it was the perfect venture for me.
“Securing the investment means that I can launch my exciting new range, inspired by a design that we have had fantastic feedback on,” she continues, having already received pre-orders for her Model K.T. workbag totalling £15,000. “It will mean that the business can launch properly into the market.
“The dream is to continue to design stylish bags for inspiring and hard working women. I want to make their lives easier, to give them more time and freedom.”
The collection includes the smaller, Mini KT for lighter workdays and stylish weekend wear, and the Sakura coin purse which takes the classic purse design and adds multiple compartments and card slots.
Read more: Sector spotlight – fashion
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