Embroidery and the handbag, a love story

I was desperately looking for a yellow tartan bag for a post I'm writing and came across a lot of different bags in a wide range of designs, materials and textures. Although I was very focused on the tartan yellow item, something got me distracted, a beautiful embroiled handbag, so I made a note of the name of the designer to come back later. 

And I'm so happy I did went back for a second look. I felt for all of them. Mariia Dovghenko, the designer is super talented, one of those designers to watch, there's craft and art to what she does. The detail of every design, of every image neatly crafted into the bag is just so wonderful and it takes me back to my mother's taste so it gives me an extra special feeling.

I  knew language and distance could be an issue, neither of us is native English speaker and I'm based near London, she is in Kiev, but I threw myself into it, and contacted her.  
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She is super kind and her work for handmade bags is beautiful. I'm super pleased to find out that she started her career as a shoemaker and that she will be launching a new line for embroiled shoes... Heaven on earth. 

If there is anything that makes me instantly happy when thinking about fashion that would be first: vintage findings and second handmade pieces. Both are so special for anyone who loves fashion as an art. You should really check her Instagram and Etsy Shop, the items a luxurious but super affordable.

How did Mariia started as a designer...

​My origin as a designer is in that fact that every stage of production of my bags is handmade and they are made with love. I start to think about making a career of designer after my first baby was born. Before that I was working as a shoe designer, my hobby and passion was embroidery. So I decide to make not only beautiful pictures with embroidery but the bags to. And the next level of my career will be shoes with embroidery.

Highlighting the challenges

My biggest challenge was that I started to work at domestic sewing machine on which I couldn’t sew leather on high quality because it was made for sewing fabric. And after I bought industrial sewing machine for leather I can realize almost all my creative ambitions.

The role models and muses

I like works of Dolce&Gabbana very much, they use o lot of embroidery at their models. I also like pictures of Gustav Klimt.

​Social Media and Fashion Industry

People are often under the influence of trends that designers impose them. But it’s important to keep your own origin style.

How a concepts sees the light

The new idea starts from embroidery. When I see embroidery I decide in what model of bag it will be better looking.

The fashion industry in Ukraine 

The fashion industry of bags in Ukraine is raising nowadays. There are many new designers and Brands.

The buyer experience

Usually I’m making bag for particular client. Because I make design and sew bags myself it’s easy for me to change the parameters of the bag to satisfy my client’s needs.

Who else work with you, is it a family project?
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The people who work with me are my children Anna-Maria (4 years) and Roman (2 years). J, my husband also helps me.
But to tell the truth I don’t have enough time to realize all my plans.
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On Business and Marketing 

My biggest challenge is difficulties in promotion the Brand.

The essence of what you do

Self-realization.