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The new bags collection MOIMOI is available on Made & More! For this occasion, we met Raquel Alonso Miranda, the co-founder of the brand. She told us more about her career, about MOIMOI, her new bags and the way they are manufactured. Learn more about this passionate and committed woman.
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Can you introduce yourself ?
I'm Raquel and I was born 30 years ago (laughs). I am the co-founder of the accessories brand MOIMOI we launched in 2010 with Kalle. I have a Master in Arts. After my studies as I was interested in the textile industry, I went to Finland to study in a textile design school. I started my first leather products collection because I love this material. I finished my studies and I started the MOIMOI project. I already had it in the back of my head for a long time and I hoped that one day it could emerge. I returned to Finland for an internship in a company based in Helsinki. I was there for six months and I told myself that it was time to try to launch the brand. The first collection I launched was clothing but I quickly understood that it was difficult to produce. My experience started with textile and leather to finally create leather bags.
" The bags are simple. They are thought for the urban life.
They have several possible uses: you can us them at night or during the day. This collection is very colourful. "
Why did you decide to create your own brand?
Actually, MOIMOI was a school project I imagined when I was studying in Barcelona. Then I moved to Helsinki when I decided to launch MOIMOI. It was important for me to produce locally. I wanted to produce in Europe. I started at home where I was doing everything by hand, even printings.
Why this project? Why bags?
I decided to make bags because I wanted to make a sustainable product that lasts. Leather is a very resistant material. I wanted to do something creative and especially, I wanted to make a living out of it. Therefore, designing products seemed like a good idea.
How long did it take to build up your project ?
At the beginning, MOIMOI was a school project. I already had everything I needed, i.e. the logo and the first prototypes. I would say that the project took approximately two years to be implemented.
Can you tell us more about MOIMOI?
MOIMOI is a brand of bags and accessories made from leather. We source materials in Europe. For me it is really important that materials and products are as sustainable as possible! Concerning the MOIMOI style I'd say that it's a mix between Scandinavian clean design and Mediterranean design.
Why did you choose this name?
MOI means "Hello" in Finnish. MOIMOI therefore means "Hello Hello".
Can you tell me a bit more about your new collection of bags which is now available on Made & More?
This spring/summer collection is special because it was designed when we were living in Barcelona. It has many colours coming
for example from the sea and from places of Barcelona with mosaics. There is also a new type of material. We have new leather, which is more natural. We don't work with collections but with permanent products.
" Inspiration is always the same :
warm Mediterranean colours and
the Finnish minimalist design. "
Can you explain the steps to make these bags?
First, I think about the needs of people. Why do we need the bag? To carry a computer, to carry a wallet or just small things? After that, I choose the size according to the identified need. Do I need a big bag or a small bag?
Then I start to search for materials. I contact suppliers to find the suitable materials and when I know which material will be used, I start with the design.
Then I continue with the tapes. Usually, I use cardboard to make them. Once that's completed, I go to the factory to make the first prototypes. When I get them, I test them to be sure that it’s a practical bag. I try to put all the stuff I would take to see whether it fits and if so, great! If this is not the case, we start with a second prototype.
How are the bags made?
They are manufactured in Menorca, a small Spanish island. The leather is cut with a laser machine. After that, the leather pieces are assembled by hand with traditional tools for leather. All the materials come from Spain.
What type of leather do you use?
We work with two types of leather : vegetable-tanned leather and mineral tanned leather. Vegetable tanning means that the material used comes from trees. Therefore the leather colour comes from natural ingredients such as trees or leaves. The colours that we get are always earthy colours like brown, etc. We also use mineral leather for other things. It depends on the color we want. All leathers used are subject to the REACH regulation (EU Regulation to protect human health and the environment against the risks of chemical substances).
How long does it take to produce the bags?
The whole process takes about 4-5 months. We must control the leather and then tan it. Generally, it takes 3-4 weeks. Concerning the factory, it takes 3-4 months to produce the bags.
How do you see yourself in the future?
I hope we will continue to grow but I want this to happen gradually. I also hope we can produce more to offer a bigger range of leather bags.
Why did you choose to work with Made & More?
I discovered Made & More thanks to social networks. I thought the project was really focused on transparency and manufacturing and I love it. We share the same values so I thought it was the perfect match !
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