Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 10:06PM | By Roe Gunas Handbags - Designer Interview
A couple weeks ago I received an email through our blog form from Sugandh Agrawal with the subject line "Need a new story?". The body of the email simply said "You might like us!" along with a smiley face, a thank you, and a link. Skeptical of what I was to see, I went on to explore what this Gunas was all about. When I went to their website, there were all sorts of handbags, from clutches for women to messenger bags for men; All unique and all detailed to a level that gave them a custom feel. Intrigued by what I was seeing, I checked the "Discover" area to find out more about them. I went on to find out that Gunas bags are not only attractive, they are all made of manmade materials. In the words of Gunas, they are "animal/environment friendly". I contacted Sugandh back and she was nice enough to talk to us about her background and her inspiration for Gunas "Progressive Luxury" handbags...
Who are the people behind Gunas? How did it start?
GUNAS was started by myself with the help of some domestic and international private investors who believed in the concept of animal-free luxury. The foundation of the concept for the brand was laid during my Masters program in Design Management at Pratt Institute, New York. I always knew that I wanted to venture out on my own and be an entrepreneur. GUNAS helped me combine my entrepreneurial spirit with my knowledge of product and passion for design and sustainability.
What is your educational/professional background?
I am a trained Industrial Designer with core knowledge of materials and manufacturing and a passion for design and trends. From designing store displays for brands such as Victoriasʼs Secret and appliances for companies such as Bosch, KitchenAid and Jennair Iʼve had the opportunity to work on a spectrum of design projects. Design has always been my passion and I feel fortunate to be doing what I love everyday.
How did you get into design?
Art and design have always been a part of my life. I see them as a medium of self-expression. It was a very obvious choice and a very natural path for me to pursue as a career.
What was the first thing you designed (professionally/personally)?
Personally the first thing I designed was my play house at the age of 7. That led to further stitching my own doll clothing and creating crafty puppets and other fun things to play with. I always enjoyed creating things and one thing led to another. Before I knew it, I was designing kitchen appliances such as Wall ovens, dishwashers and cooktops.
How did you go about developing your latest collection? What was the process?What was your inspiration?
The inspiration for my latest collection “Quantum” was sci-fi movies and the concept architecture one sees in such films. A lot of these influences are seen in modern day architecture such as the Birdʼs Nest in China and the Frank Gehry museum in Spain. The process involves selecting a theme, creating an inspiration/trend board, picking colors for the collection and sketching multiple pieces that would be a part of the collection. Sketches then evolve into prototypes and final samples that are later handed over to factories for production.
What sets Gunas apart from its competition?
Design, above all is what sets GUNAS apart from its competition. Each aspect of our brand is “designed” and comes in limited quantities. A lot of research goes into the type of fabric and material we use in the construction of our bags. Special attention is paid to our manufacturing processes. We use local and small overseas factories to fulfill our needs. Besides this, GUNAS is animal friendly. We do not use genuine leather, silk or fur in or product or our marketing material. By using only certified Eco materials and engineered fabrics from Japan and Germany we believe that beautiful products can be made without harming animals, people and our environment.
What do you want Gunas to be known for? What would you say is your trademark.
I want GUNAS to be known for its vision and for its futuristic appeal in todayʼs fashion. It redefines what we know as ʻluxuryʼ in the world of today. I see the direction weʼve taken with GUNAS as the future of fashion and the fashion industry. Our trademark is the integration of design and sustainability in all aspects of our business.
Who would own a Gunas bag?
Anyone who loves good design and appreciates well-made things could own a GUNAS. Our brand is not specifically targeted towards the vegan consumer. We want to create an environmentally and socially responsible option for those who love their leathers and furs and wouldnʼt mind choosing our product purely on aesthetic appeal basis.
So far, what are your favorite pieces?
My favorites are the New York messenger and the Emily clutch. They are both available in many different colors.
What things about the process do you enjoy the most? the least?
The creativity aspect of it is what I love most. I enjoy flipping through magazines, searching for inspiration and defining the upcoming trends. The real joy come when you see that inspiration translate into something tangible.
What are your plans for Gunas in the future? Will you be designing other accessories?
Yes, I will be doing some Menʼs wallets and some more mid-sized bags for women. Iʼve also thought about adding jewelry to the collection.
How can our readers own a Gunas?
The bags are now available online at www.gunasthebrand.com under our shop section. A lot of our pieces are special order. We do custom pieces for special occasions as well.
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Roe
Sugandh was nice enough to hook us up with a discount code for Gunas handbags. Use code SHOP15 at checkout for 15% off on all styles.
Gunas, Handbag, clutch, duffel, messenger bag | in Accessories, Designer Interview, Her Fashion, His Fashion 3 Comments
Reader Comments (3)
Really new design GUNAS handbags, simple and fashion enough to bring everyday! Love this new design!
Really new design GUNAS handbags, simple and fashion enough to bring everyday! Love this new design!-silver rado ceramic
Informative article! I need to check out these environment friendly products!