It’s interesting times out there if you’re in the market for a canvas bag. With the growing acceptance among men for totes for everyday use and duffles for carry-on travel, more and more brands have been entering the market, each with a claim of putting their own spin on canvas. Small, but quickly growing, Danish brand Mismo’s spin on canvas almost qualifies of a lack of spin. And that’s a good thing. Instead, Mismo brings it back to basics by championing simplicity in design and construction, with superior quality materials in the form of rugged, water resistant canvas and full grain leather accents. Behind Mismo’s products is the philosophy that real luxury arises from the choices made – about what to subtract, and what would should remain. While we’re currently in the midst of being unkind to a MS Shopper bag (shown above) to see how it fares overtime, we had a quick chat with Mismo founder Adam Alexander Bach about Danish design, collaborations and the worst part about his job, along with a peak inside his operation.
Before Mismo I did not have so many worries, nor did I have so many thrills….
The name Mismo comes from Spain…. Mismo has two meanings; “the same” or “something that refers to yourself”, which we liked as reference to the personal marks each person leave on their bag because of the natural materials we use.
A dedicated craftsman constructing the M/S Canvas Work bag
If I hadn?t started Mismo I would be disillusioned for not having pursued the dream… But if it hadn’t been Mismo it would still have been something with a touch of design and entrepreneurship to it.
We chose to specialize in bags because back in ‘03 when the idea first came to mind there were nowhere you could find a well designed bag in a nice material to hold your laptop. From there we’ve sought of expanded the line into every possible bag we could see ourselves use on different occasions.
What differentiates Danish design versus American design is subtractions, leaving only what should remain.
I really want people to know that when they?re paying for a Mismo bag they?re getting a meticulously crafted product that will follow them for years if treated with care. A product where heart and dedication has been equally put into every last detail… Buying a Mismo bag should feel like you’re getting a new best friend.
Our Limited Edition pieces are must haves…haha…something we do when we stumble across a special fabric or type of leather we only have limited access to, but have this urge to turn into a bag.
My thoughts on collaborations are that they can and should be a creative playground from where new and interesting products arises…. but too often collaborations seem conceived with the idea of promoting brands rather than products.
What you can expect from the Fall/Winter 2010 collection is a new vibrant navy and curry color and a handfull of new styles. We have a great new canvas weekendbag coming out as well a slim, practical document bag in all the canvas colors. And look out for a three style limited edition collection in a special developed, thick, wrinkle full-grain leather.
We don’t replace existing collections twice a year, once a product is conceived it stays in the collection unless there is a specific reason to replace it. So we merely add a few new styles and colors to the collection each season, but if it is one or five new styles depends on whether we feel we have something interesting to offer. Each bag we develop and bring to market needs to have a certain purpose or relevance. We don’t make new styles just to have something new to show.
The making of the AnOther x Peter Pilotto x Mismo shopper soon to be available at colette.
The most gratifying for me personally with Mismo has been that people have responded so positively to what we do. The satisfaction of having people telling and writing you that they absolutely love their Mismo bag is priceless, and basically the fuel that keeps the engine going.
The best part of my job is that I’m able do what I like the most…..design, create, invent, dream, travel!
The worst part of my job is that it never really leaves you. It’s a 24/7 commitment that has its firm place in the back of your head.
As for plans to expand Mismo beyond bags and accessories we still have so many bags we’d like to put our signature to, so no immediate plans of moving into apparel or shoes. But we have a few ideas, so it could be a matter of time…
We plan on expanding into North America very soon! In December we’ll be launching at Bergdorf Goodman and hopefully a couple of other great stores.
You can always find me using the next [Mismo] product to come. Our only way of testing new products are by using them. So I always find myself using different prototypes of new styles to come. Currently I’m using the new limited edition “wrinkle” leather shopper with our new full-grain laptop leeve (Shield) inside. But for traveling a natural Hercules or a navy MS Travel is the favourite.
Outside of Mismo, you can find me relaxing with friends and family, going to the countryside or by the sea. Still trying to squeeze in a round of golf, an hour on the tenniscourt or a football match at the stadium once in a while…Nothing beats the atmosphere of a packed stadium with 30.000 fans vigorously cheering for victory!
Mismo MS Canvas Work
Mismo MS Canvas Weekend
Mismo MS canvas Sleeve
Mismo MS canvas Travel
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