Simitri: Incredible Handbags That Will Make You Want To #ownthatbag (& Many Others!)

I’m always looking for small businesses to share, especially those that are women owned, help support others, and carry unique items. That’s exactly what I found when I came across Simitri. Simitri bags are handmade in India by artisans who have learned specific skills from their families. Gayatri began creating her bags in New Delhi in 2009. When she moved to the United States her sister-in-law, Simran, began to work with her and Simitri was born! Their bags are so much fun and very different. You may have seen their Beetle bags, or perhaps their chain clutches. From sequins to velvet to chain to tulle, Simitri bags are anything but boring! Each bag will make an incredible statement to any, and every, outfit!

Simitri bags can easily be take from day to night. Each of the bags worked well with jeans and sneakers as I ran errands or met friends for lunch. As I changed my outfits to work attire or an out to dinner outfit, I was easily able to style each bag to fit where I was going. Having pieces in your wardrobe that can be worn casually and dressy is so important and Simitri bags can easily be styled for any and every occasion.

How did you begin creating bags?

I was always passionate about bags. After graduation, I began working for a silverware design company. A year into my first job, I realized my sketch book had more handbag designs than what I was supposed to be creating. A friend who then worked as a designer at a big fashion house asked me to sample some of my designs for the India Fashion week. I quit my job and hired a handbag master who knew how to stitch a bag. I converted my bedroom into a workshop and began my career as a handbag designer. My first collection was on the ramp after 21 days of starting my new venture in 2009. (DOABH-that’s amazing!) – Gayatri, Co-founder, Creative Director, Simitri

What are your backgrounds and how did you learn the techniques/skills to make your bags?

I studied interior product design at the National Institute Of Fashion Technology in India, where I learnt to work with various materials like wood, clay, glass, metals, resin and many more. I never received any formal training to make bags specifically, I converted all the knowledge of the various materials to creating the bags I do today. – Gayatri

Where do you get your inspiration from? 

I am mostly inspired by architecture and home décor. The way different materials and textures mix to create a space or an object, inspires me. Walking the colorful streets of India in search for new materials helps me develop new collections.  – Gayatri

Where do you get the materials used in creating your bags?

All materials are sourced from different parts of India.

Do you have a favorite material to work with?

I love designing embroideries. Watching the way a sketch converts to reality with the help of traditional Indian hand embroidery techniques and adding that sparkle with different varieties of sequin and beads, this my favorite part of the creative process.

Do you have a favorite piece you’ve created?

The beetle bags are my favorite design, The variety of colors we have used to create it, is fascinating every time we design a new version. – Gayatri

What does a day look like for you as designers?

Most of my designing is done on my trips to India, where most of my days are spent working with the artisans to create the new collections and sourcing new materials. Since I spend 60% of my time in the US, majority of my day is spent on Facetime with the production unit and the rest is used up in checking, tagging and packing shipments, as I like to personally check each bag that we send out to our customers. I also like to converse with our customers directly through the live chat on our website from time to time as that gives me direct feedback from the people that love and carry our bags. As a mom to a toddler, the balance part of my day is spent in pampering my family and cooking fun meals for them. – Gayatri

What is the meaning of the name of your business?

Simitri is a blend-word from the names of our co-founders SIM-ran and Gaya-TRI!

The name is also a play on the concept of symmetry, which is the expectation of balance and structure, but our designs are often unexpected, over the top and meant to pop. So, one might say they are structured chaos! (DOABH-I love this!)

Tell us about the meaning behind #ownthatbag

OwnThatBag is our way of saying own who you are, all the good, bad and ugly parts of you and channelize them in the pursuit of your purpose. For us at Simitri this means owning our royalty, our absurdity, our whimsy, our vulgarity and give these a voice through our designs. Our designs go from elegant to avant-garde, each design has a personality that is truly unique just like the handcrafted bags themselves! – Simran, Co-founder, Business Head, Simitri

Simitri prides itself on being and owning who you are. For this bored housewife that means I own the fact that I like to dress in what I feel is, at times, somewhat different. I own my own style and wear #clothesthatdontboreme . I always say you can wear anything as long as you wear it with confidence. This desire for the unusual, cool, fun is what drew me to Simitri bags. I hadn’t seen bags like theirs and I just loved their playfulness, colors, and uniqueness. I’m so excited that I’m able to share them with you!

Use the code NotBoringBags15 for 15% off your full price order.