Tell us about Bagsamoré.
ArtBag x Bagsamoré is a marketplace for Australian artists to create wearable art on upcycled, second-hand bags. Its initiative is to provide a new platform for artists to promote their work through creating wearable art. Each artist creates a unique ArtBag in their art style on a second-hand bag that has been restored by Bagsamoré. They then feature this piece on the Bagsamoré website, and are then open for commissions, allowing people to commission their own bags and transform them into one-of-a-kind bespoke pieces. The aim is to give handbags, once deemed for the trash, a new lease on life, but in a more colourful way. While there are many handbag restoration companies out there, none are quite like this one. Promoting art is our passion, and creating sustainable fashion is our duty. It is time to stop buying new and start reimagining fashion in a unique and colourful way. We aim to grow the network of artists so that there is something that speaks to everyone. We promote both new and emerging as well as established artists.
What inspired you to start Bagsamoré?
My career in handbag restoration began at a young age, shortly after graduating from university. Growing up, I was surrounded by leather restoration; my parents ran a training school in the UK, teaching people from all over the world how to restore leather, specifically in furniture and cars. Sadly, my stepdad passed away when I was 20, during my degree, leaving my mum to continue the business alone. After completing my fashion degree, I joined the family business and recognised the potential in applying their methods to the world of handbags. This led to the establishment of one of the UK’s first handbag restoration companies, The Handbag Spa. I managed the business for six years and even appeared on Dragon’s Den, hoping to franchise the business.
Always ambitious to live overseas, I eventually, I decided to seek a new challenge and establish my own business independent of my family’s influence. I moved to Australia with just a backpack to set up Bagsamoré. Starting from scratch in a creative warehouse called Woodburn Creative in Redfern, the business grew to include three employees within two years. However, the advent of COVID-19 brought uncertainty, prompting me to downsize and work from home in Bondi. After two years in Bondi, taking on just enough work to sustain myself, I realised I needed to rekindle my entrepreneurial spirit.
In May 2023, I moved to Byron Bay to create ArtBag, merging my two passions. ArtBag x Bagsamoré was born. Over the past six months, I have single-handedly built the business, now boasting 12 artists. As the concept gains popularity, I expect it to continue growing. The increasing demand for sustainable solutions in the fashion industry makes this unique concept especially relevant, allowing people to express their individuality while contributing to environmental conservation.
My commitment to never buy new clothing again, a decision made during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a liberating journey, helping me discover a personal style beyond the dictates of fast fashion. Through ArtBag, I aim to share this experience, helping others make one-of-a-kind purchases that perfectly marry art and fashion. This journey into second-hand fashion has taught me that it doesn’t have to involve compromise; it can be a beautiful expression of one’s unique self.
Describe a typical work day for you.
Being a creative entrepreneur definitely comes with its pros and cons. On the plus side, I am constantly brimming with ideas and love bringing them to life. I particularly value my studio time, where I can get in the zone and restore bags. On the downside, I find it very hard to stick to a routine; my day often depends on how I feel. Computer work can be quite draining for me, but as it’s an integral part of the business, I tend to alternate between doing it in the morning or saving it for the afternoon after completing other tasks. This variation means that no two days are the same, which is probably one of the main reasons why I love what I do and plan to continue doing it for the rest of my life.
I have never worked for anyone else (“the man”) and never intend to. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs and small business owners, I’ve gained true insight into the daily workings of a business. When it’s a small business, there are many hats to be worn each day. Some hats fit better than others, but it’s important to play to your strengths. My typical workload each day includes:
Email answering and follow-up.
Handbag administration, which involves booking couriers, taking before-and-after photos, and packaging orders.
Studio work, upcycling bags for customers or to be sent to artists.
Social media management, including seeking out new artist talent and creating content.
What advice do you have for those wanting to start a business?
Success does not happen overnight. It’s something I have to remind myself of a lot, but it’s absolutely true. Both of my parents ran businesses for years, and I witnessed their struggles, even before the era of social media! Gaining recognition for what you do takes a long time, so perseverance and a strong belief in your work are the top two ingredients for long-term success. I truly believe that if you have passion and motivation for what you do, no matter what it is, you can create a successful business.
Of course, there are many courses, books, podcasts, and manuals out there offering roadmaps to establishing a successful business. However, without those key ingredients of passion and perseverance, you’ll likely run out of steam and give up. We live in a fortunate era where you can start a business with just an idea and a mobile phone. There are so many free tools available for self-promotion, and if you truly believe in yourself and your idea, the rest will follow naturally.
Another huge mantra in my working life is not to worry about what your competition is doing. Having competition is great; it means there’s likely a market fit for your product or service. But focusing too much on their successes can be disheartening and distract you from your own goals and the unique message you’re trying to convey. I don’t follow any of my competitors online – a kind of self preservation.
What’s next for you, and Bagsamoré?
Having been in business for over a decade and experiencing a huge number of ups and downs, including doing many of the things I advised against in my previous answer, I have now landed on an idea and a business that truly brings me joy and excitement. The feedback I’ve received so far has been tremendously positive, and considering it’s still early days, I genuinely can’t wait to see what the next five years will bring for ArtBag x Bagsamoré. I hope to have created a wonderful network of Australian and maybe even international artists, giving people the opportunity to transform their possessions into something unique. I also envision, pop up shop/galleries exhibiting the wonderful ArtBag creations that the wide varieties of artists.
I am open to collaborations, new ideas, and just seeing where this journey takes me. I feel like I have been welcomed into a whole new world—the art world—and it is a wonderful place to be. It’s filled with creative and lovely people, and I truly feel like I have found my home. It has taken me a good number of years to find myself back at almost the point where I started, fresh out of university before joining the family business. But now, I have a wealth of experience behind in a sustainable industry that I feel very passionate about, and l feel I now have the ingredients to make this business a true success. Watch this space 🙂
