It's been a long time coming! And I couldn't be more excited to present my next interview with shop favorite, Dutch bag designer Ellen Truijen. As one of the first stockists of her amazing leather goods line in the US, we've carried her hard-to-find bags since we launched.We covet her versatile beautifully crafted leather bags-a true fusion of form and function. Crafted in the Netherlands, simple unadorned aesthetic and quality leather varieties are at the forefront of her design bringing forth a true utilitarian appeal with understated elegance. As a designer balancing family life and work, she's lovingly named some of her classic bags as "Mommy Dearest" and the "Toddler". And who can resist the playful pacman details?So here we go, enjoy this interview!
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| Ellen Truijen Spring/Summer 14 Collection |
How would you describe your design approach
and creative process: from design, inspiration and to the creation for each
collection?
I think my design
approach is more the approach of a sculpturist than of a product
designer. Each bag is created behind the sewing machine, molding the leather into
it's new form.
Besides the simple silhouettes of
your bags, the hallmark of your designs is the standout sumptuous leathers you
use with each collection. What is the process like in choosing the leather
varieties for the season?
I always let my intuition
lead the way, never follow trends or forecast. My approach is very
tactile, feel the leather and make sure the leathers all together give me a
good feeling.
My Ellen Truijen bag is my everyday bag and faithful companion. Why do
you think customers are drawn to your line once they discover it?
Besides the design, I
often hear the combination of design and functionality
is what makes the bags desirable. And not to forget they get
even more beautiful by wearing.
Your line is now 12 years old! Love how there are classic staples in
your collection but some styles that change, what's new in your collection and
how has the line evolved since you started?
The bags evolved through
the years. At first, they where more rough and had no lining.
Through the years I added details to increase their functionality. More
refining, in design and look. I tried to upgrade the understated luxury
feeling with little details.
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| It's all in the details: the Shopper and 36 Hours Bag |
Running a business requires a lot of time and
passion for what you do on your down time? Interests, passions or activities
that you enjoy?
Going to concerts or to
the movies, drinking wine in the garden, making city-trips and
strolling around discovering places. I also enjoy doing
nothing much around my house.
Any irks and quirks you'd like to share?
When I have to
drive far by car and I'm always feeling hungry, I like to stop by a gas station and buy this
kind of knackerbrod sandwich filled with tomato cream (which
I never eat and isn't even nice food), but somehow I have to have it! : )
How do you balance managing your line, MOS
store (plus recently opened brand store) and of course life with your family?
Improvise! Most of the
time everything flows naturally and it's important to be flexible,
luckily our children are that as well.
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| Ellen Truijen Brand Store |
So much a part of the creation of your designs involves working with
local makers and craftsmen. What do you love most about this process especially
with keeping production of your bags locally in the Netherlands?
What I love is the direct
contact with the people who make my bags. We work only with small
family businesses and know exactly who worked on which bag. Also providing local
businesses with work and keeping in honour of what is left of a beautiful, once blooming Dutch
craft, is something I stand for and gives me a good conscience.
I know it’s so hard to choose, but what’s your go-to bag or style
from your collection? And why the playful pacman detailing (which I love growin' up in the 80s!)?
I don't have a particular
favourite. Every new bag is a favourite and they're all precious to me. And if a
bag has sold very well, but my feeling with the bag is gone, then it must go out of
the collection. Again, I trust my intuition. Regarding the pacman
detailing, at one point I wanted to add something with a wink and the pacman kept popping
up in my head. And it's also, just as you said, a thing of my generation.
What is your personal style or aesthetic?
What are some of favorite your pieces, items you collect for you or your home?
I love strolling around
flea markets, collecting for example tea pots or nice styling objects. And
I have a weakness for pumps, preferably found in little shops, where the last pair in my size
is waiting for me.
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It's been wonderful getting to know the personal side of the people who bring such inspiring design to life. Thank you so much Ellen for sharing your inspiration, creative process and your story! Stay tune for part 2 with travel tips to her hometown in southern Netherlands!Hope to visit next time I'm there in Europe!
Catch a glimpse of Ellen again just in case you haven't seen this beautiful video-featuring our favorite bag designer with art direction by her husband Rob Truijen. So much talent in one family!
I am Ellen:Truijen from Caramel on Vimeo.
Black and White and Lookbook Images from Ellen Truijen
I am Ellen:Truijen from Caramel on Vimeo.
Black and White and Lookbook Images from Ellen Truijen
