#native designer

>>> CREATOR TAKE THE MEDICINE WHEEL <<<

This summer I began designing a purse that was reminiscent of my upbringing, things I loved, and could be used for a final project in my fashion course. My inspiration for this design was ledger art, something traditional in my stepmother’s tribe, and horses in particular.

The goal was for the bag to look like those fake leather purses you find at Hot Topic and the like. Something like the Mini Binder Clip Bag by Studio Cult.

In order to achieve this, as well as be fully handmade, I’m looking at a cost of around $35 just for the leather that will then become the front and back of the purse, and hopefully edge should my calculations be correct. The liner fabric is much cheaper and could be used across multiple purses, as could the other supplies such as needles, but costs for zippers and straps also add up.

Overall due to the cost, I’m putting this design on the back burner. This is probably something I can craft for a powwow art competition or SWAIA, or even do on a commission basis. Once I factor in my time and the fact that this isn’t mass-manufactured, anything under $400 sounds like an insult but definitely would not price below $250. It just wouldn’t be worth it to produce.

Any other fashion students or designers have this struggle?

Here’s my cost breakdown. Almost $100 would go into creating one purse.

Native designer from the Yukon

Both parents are Native one from Yukon one from British Columbia.

Great grandparents are well know in there places

Fashion can transform a person into what they want from nerdy to comfortable to sexy

I'm actually quite shy

I'm also a nerd

I would like to cosplay if possible