issitohbi

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.

In July I decided to try to find some summer clothes. At any size, finding bottoms that fit properly has been a nightmare. This last few years I have been a steady 28-32 depending on how much I weigh. Right now as a 31-32, I found little similarities from one brand to another.

KanCan was a 15 or 31 whether Curvy or Regular, but size 15 shorts didn’t fit. They were actually multiple inches too small. Levi was a 32 if stretchy or 34/none at all if 501. (Although after much perseverance, I did get into a size 34 501, however, I would hate to wash them and try to get them back on!) Some lesser known brands, an 11 or 13. Good American was a 15 in shorts, but the 15 in jeans was tiny. Like KanCan’s shorts, the Good American jeans were multiple inches too small.

There’s no continuity in industry sizing and manufacturing so a small allowance for one brand turns into an inch for another, and two inches for another. This is complicated further by overseas manufacturing where sizing is a lot different than the US. Being a Medium here equaling an XL in Korea, for example. Add the confusion budget retailers like Ross have between junior, missy, and women’s sizing and it’s no wonder women can’t find clothing they love!