Amelia Massetti - Let's Experiment

Category: Accessories

As an industrial design student, I've been taught all kinds of tools to bring my ideas to life—many of which are used in the accessories industry but aren't often used within our educational department. I wanted to explore those resources by using my 3D printer, CAD modeling software, and the fabrication labs available to me. I drew design inspiration from bucket bags with leather cages and soft interiors. After sketching a few concepts, I was off to the races. I made a paper mock-up of my bag and translated those proportions into my modeling software to create my laser-cut files, along with a mold for wet-forming the bottom of the bag. From there, I worked the leather into the bucket shape I'd envisioned. Next came the soft interior. Let's face it, I'm a broke college student, and I had no desire to buy more materials. So I went on an adventure through the fashion department's scrap bin. I salvaged clean muslin, colorful satin, and rejected hardware. From there, I pieced together the drawstring pouch that lines my leather bucket bag. For the handle, I'd been really inspired by the work the fibers students have been creating, so I decided to emulate some of their techniques. I bought some paracord and got to weaving the handle on my bedroom floor. And voilà—my bag was finished, created entirely from my desire to experiment. I'm really happy with the result of my very first bag, and now I get to experience every designer's favorite moment: "Hey, I love your bag. Where did you get it?" "Oh, thanks—I made it!"

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