Mybelka – no more handbag compromises

^{Source: courtesy of Agnieszka Kozłowska / Adam Farny}

Their Mybelky are hand-sewn from quality leather. Those interested in a new handbag simply choose the shape of the handbag, color, material or, for example, fittings on the e-shop. The offer of variations is constantly expanding and the brand also presents various limited editions. Thanks to Mybelka, no one has to make any handbag compromises anymore. All you have to do is design your dream handbag companion.

^{Source: courtesy of Agnieszka Kozłowska / Adam Farny}

How did the idea to start your own brand come about?

Mybelka is an idea that originated in the first weeks of the lockdown during March 2020. At the same time, it is the result of a long-term process. We have always been interested in fashion, the new brands that have emerged around us and the world of e-commerce in general. We also wanted to do business and do something of our own. All this came together and the idea of ​​a personalized handbag came up, the idea of ​​Mybelka. It took us half a year to put everything together and in September 2020 we sold the first piece.

Why buy Mybelka?

The main way in which handbags are made differs from other brands that sew quality leather handbags. Our main goal is to involve the customer as much as possible. To be the one behind the final look of the handbag. That is why customers can choose the shape of the handbag, leather, fittings, lining or strap in our configurator, and assemble the handbag exactly according to their ideas. We consider this concept to be unique and it is certainly one of the main reasons why customers choose Mybelka.

How do you manage to create a brand together? Do you have divided tasks or are you both involved in all activities?

We are still in the beginning and so it is still very punk. In the first months, we really did everything together and we both knew absolutely everything. Of course, we soon found out that this was not the most effective way. Gradually we come to the conclusion that it is necessary to divide the functions. So we are currently working on it. I (Agnieszka) take care of all the creative and Adam takes care of all the technical things.

It is very difficult to do business today. Does the current situation somehow affect your work? Is there a problem with, for example, transport or availability of materials?

We started Mybelka in the covid era, which recorded many things for us, but also made many things difficult. We have learned to adapt and change plans quickly. The current situation is therefore no surprise to us and we are dusting off the skills acquired in the beginning of the business. Almost all materials are more expensive for us, most of them are not available or there are long waiting times for them. But these are all problems that can be solved.

Did you have to raise prices?

Our very current topic is becoming more expensive. Today, leather is almost 100% more expensive than half a year ago. Since the largest part of the price of a handbag is just the material, the increase in prices is inevitable for us. Otherwise, we would unfortunately sell at a loss.

Which models and which colors are among the best-selling?

We have a clear answer here. Our best-selling handbag is Luna in cream crocodile leather. To date, we offer 13 handbag shapes and more than 20 leathers, which makes a total of 260 possible combinations. Despite all this, the creamy Luna wins. Popular shapes include Alma or Julia.

Mybelka has a year and a half of existence. Do you manage to develop Mybelka according to plan or have you discounted some goals?

To be honest, we didn’t set goals at the beginning. At the same time, the biggest goal and success was to try it all. When we saw that it worked and people liked Mybelka, we were thrilled. So the goals came after that. I think we manage to fulfill them. It could always be better, faster, more rocketing, but since we were really starting from scratch, we are satisfied.

^{Source: courtesy of Agnieszka Kozłowska / Adam Farny}

Do you consider yourself a sustainable brand?

I would say that we try to make all the steps we take as sustainable as possible. What is key is definitely the philosophy of the whole brand. We sew to order, ie only when the customer orders a handbag. Therefore, we have almost no stock, we do not have to estimate how much we will sell and then have an unnecessarily full handbag warehouse that no one wants and organize sales. This is the main reason why Mybelka can be described as sustainable.

So far, you are only focusing on women. Isn’t a men’s collection planned as well?

The concept of Mybelka and the brand as such is very feminine. It’s not just about the handbags themselves, but also about the way you communicate or the visual side of the brand. So we would have to change all this, and that wouldn’t be it. At the moment, we do not plan to change Mybelka as such, and if we decide to sew products for men in the future, it would probably be under a different brand.

What are your hobbies? Can you spend your free time together?

Of course. We are first and foremost a couple and then partners in business. At the moment, we don’t mind that our free time together intertwines a lot with the working time. Most of the day we are really just Agnieszka and Adam, not Agnieszka and Adam from Mybelka. Together we got a dance, which is still our big hobby. We also like sports and we like to travel together.

Summer and vacation time are approaching. How does the functioning of the brand change when both owners have time off?

90% of our work is online. Since we have Mybelka, we have never been so completely free and computers are a must for every holiday. The functioning as such does not change, because we are able to handle everything from the beach.

Can you guess which Mybelka will sell best in the summer?

Colorful handbags are definitely sold more for the summer. We can already see that the girls are proposing more colorful models. The crocodile in fuchsia color is great for us. Our secret tip is that the best-selling summer handbag will be Paula’s novelty.