Five years ago, Michelle Stupski decided to launch her own fashion line after creating some bags at home. She began creating unique bags and M-I-S Fashion Bags was born. In the Spring of 2010 M-I-S Fashion Bags will launch their latest, patent pending bag concept, the Bouton Collection.
Handbago: You have such a wide assortment of bags in your collection. Tell us about what made you decide to build your own handbag business.
Michelle: I had dreams of being a designer at an early age. I remember going to the fabric stores with my Mom when I was little to pick out all the fabrics and patterns for back to school clothes. I loved coordinating all the colors and helping her create clothes that were different from everyone else. She eventually taught me how to sew and I used those skills through the years for all sorts of different business'. In the 1990s I made a diaper bag for myself because I couldn't find one that I liked. Fast forward 10 years, I worked at a large Interior Design Firm and we would always throw away the fabric samples which drove me crazy so I asked if I could have them and started making bags with them. It just kind of escalated from there when I realized my dream of being a designer was something that I could make a reality. Through the years my collection has all been one-of-a-kind and made by myself, but this new collection is made at my workroom in the US!
When and how did M-I-S Fashion Bags come to be?
After producing about 15 bags in one day my kids came home from school and asked me, "what are you going to do with all of those?" I said, "I think I'll have a fashion show!" and I did, November 2004 M-I-S Fashion Bags launched it's first collection with a fashion show in Binghampton, NY.
What inspires your work? Any other designers?
My surroundings, traveling, fashion, everything around me. Coco Chanel has always been inspirational for me from an early age on. Her philosophy on life and design is liberating.
What sets you apart from other handbag designers?
M-I-S is about simple lines and simple designs mixed with a little bit of different yet still beautiful. A classic looking piece for the everyday woman at an affordable price.
What did you think was missing in today's handbags?
I feel many of the bags designed today are all too similar. Too many copy cats and way too much hardware. I'm just trying to be me and design practical, functional pieces with a flash of fashion.
The Bouton bag collection is such a highly unique concept, tell us more about the collection.
The BOUTON COLLECTION is a patent pending concept where all the components of the bag are interchangeable so you can transform your bag to fit your needs at any time. You can create at least 7 different styles from 1 bag! I say at least 7 because you can actually do more then that and you can purchase 2 different colors and interchange them to create more and each season new colors will be added and new styles/sizes and they will all be able to mix and match so it really has endless design/function capabilities. It can fit into so many different demographics because of it's versatility, it's fun, functional fashion!
How did you come up with one bag with 7 different styles?
I was inspired years ago from a design that looked like it had two bottoms and I thought how cool would that be to make them separate so you can add or subtract pieces when needed. So I played with it but couldn't quite get the concept the way I wanted and I put it aside for awhile. While sunning in Aruba January '09 it popped in my head (snaps)! My husband owns an upholstery business where they use snaps for things like boat and tonneau covers and I thought if they could hold up to all the elements then they could hold up to a woman's abuse of her handbags. So the drawing book came out and then I was creating paper bags to make sure it could work (all still at the beach) and it's been full force ahead since then. Bouton is french for button/snap fastener.
What advice do you have for aspiring handbag designers looking to break into the business?
Don't give up. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and determination. Believe in yourself as well as your product or design. Be your design/company/brand. I haven't carried anything but M-I-S since I launched my first collection.
Is there anything else about yourself or M-I-S Fashion Bags that you would like our readers to know?
It took me 5 years to come up with a concept that was different, that I felt could really take my business to the next level, but without the support of my family and friends I would not be where I am today. I have been happily married for 20 years (Todd) and have 2 wonderful children (Derek 19 and Taylor 15) and a bichon named Jeter.
Thank you, Michelle, Handbago is a huge fan and check out the M-I-S Fashion Bags website http://www.misfashionbags.com/
