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MAKETTE didn’t start with a moodboard or a muse. It started with a problem. “Luxury bags are getting more expensive, but the quality is getting worse,” says the founder. “We wanted to build something different, where the materials are exceptional, the construction is meticulous, and the price reflects real value. Not cheap. But fair. Manual production has a cost. But it should feel worth it.”
A lot of bags have failed her. “I’ve bought beautiful bags I couldn’t even use. Either nothing fits or they won’t open properly. That’s not the point of design.” MAKETTE was created to be different, anchored in need, not novelty. Every piece begins with utility and evolves from there. “It’s about thinking across the day. What do we carry at 8AM versus 8PM? What works for work and for holidays? How can one chain function as a strap, a necklace, or a place to attach something personal?”
Thinking in systems means designing for evolution. “It’s not just about one bag, it’s about how pieces interact, how they support each other, how they grow with you. We’re already developing small leather goods that will connect to the bags. Every new item we design has to make the system smarter.”
Of course, not everything made it through. “In the beginning, I wanted more hardware, more artisanal details. But there’s a balance. The design has to serve the function. And cost matters. Editing is part of the process.” If MAKETTE could speak, she says, “She’d be a support function, quiet, smart, and there to make you look amazing.”
The prototyping process revealed just how much time and complexity it takes to do things well. “Simple isn’t always easy. Our bags are deceptively complex, from the structure to the finish. The products you see on the website are already different from our first samples. Not because we’re unsure, but because we refine as we go. The system gets better with each iteration.”
So what does timeless mean here? “It’s not a trend. It’s about longevity. I want these bags to feel right now, and ten years from now. You should be able to wear them with different looks, across occasions. They shouldn’t sit in your closet. The cost per wear should make sense.” She pauses, then smiles. “That’s why we called the first collection Study 01. Because it’s a work in progress. Like a maquette, a prototype. MAKETTE isn’t finished. That’s the point.”
Prototyping a Brand