Take a look at the bag I’m wearing. Gorgeous, right? Beautiful, pitch black smooth leather with silver hardware details. Handcrafted with an impeccable attention to detail. Minimal. On trend. Very versatile.

And guess what?

Made entirely out of recycled leather. Cue jaw drops.

The post you are reading today has been in the works for a while now. I came across this great Instagram feed, filled with bright black and white images. It belonged to an independent designer Christina Fischer from Denmark. From further scrolling, I learned that she has a small manufacturing studio where she creates her signature bumbag. The admiration and excitement about the label came after a few double taps on the images of old leather coats, jackets and pants being cut into bag patterns, with the words “100% recycled leather” written underneath. A fangirling e-mail was in order.  If you’re a regular on MoiMinnie, then you probably already know how close to my heart thrifting, recycling and buying vintage is – almost everything in my closet comes from another decade. So you can only imagine how badly I wanted to write about and share this magic that’s happening in Christina Fischer’s studio. I asked if she would be kind enough to answer some of my questions so I could write an article about her label to which she replied ‘Absolutely!’. After a few e-mails filled with mutual compliments have been exchanged, not only did I get some amazing answers in my inbox, but also a bumbag in the mail! Cue heart attack.

So here it is, in all its recycled, chic glory – Christina Fischer bumbag + the story of how it all started, told by Christina herself.

Q&A with Christina Fischer

Q: What’s the idea behind Christina Fischer bumbags? How did it all come to life?

A: Collaborating with two fellow designers, I have spent three years launching a redesign project for the Salvation Army in Copenhagen, with a forte of working with leather in up-cycling and redesign. This was a massive learning experience for me. About a year ago I stared designing for myself and it felt amazing to wear something I had personally designed to fit my wardrobe. I have used the same bag every day for the last year and I still get compliments. This made me realize I wanted to establish my own brand. From then on the process has been very organic.

Q: Your bags are all made using recycled leather. How important do you think recycling is nowadays in the age of fast fashion?

A: I think it’s incredibly important to recycle not only clothing, but everything in general. Recycling and re-using is vital in order to achieve a sustainable and responsible fashion industry. I believe the concept of fast fashion is very problematic and its environmental impact is alarming. I personally think we need to go back to the place of slow fashion, in order to maintain a certain originality both as designers and individuals. There’s definitely a return to artisanal craftsmanship. Using recycled leather in my collection allows the leather that is already in circulation or has outlived its original purpose, to have a new life while creating minimum waste.

Q: How would you describe your brand’s style in three words?

A: Minimal, dark & chic.

Q: What are your future plans for your brand?

A: I am constantly working on achieving a 100% company transparency and I am determined to work towards being as sustainable as possible, while not compromising my aesthetics. I am going to continue making limited stock leather bags and I also have an outerwear collection in the works, made using dead-stock denim and recycled leather.

Find Christina’s recycled leather goodness on:

www.christinafischer.dk
www.facebook.com/christinafischerofficial
www.instagram.com/christinafischerofficial