“A” bag: When the bag becomes a symbol of power
Art direction / Interview : AWA M. SISSOKO
Creative Direction : VIKTOR COLLINS
Photographer : BORIS MONDELICE
Stylist : TAHI GUY ROLLAND
Makeup : NISHA GULATI
To start, could you introduce yourself and tell us how A was born?
My name is Anyah – it’s said to mean “the river of love”, and the “A” for the brand symbolizes new beginnings, ambition and excellence, to seek out and resonate with women who are ready to redefine their own narratives…. Can you relate?
But now, let me tell you why, as the CEO of “A” bag, with 10+ years of experience as a handbag designer, I was on a petty mission — in true, classic Scorpio fashion, I started A to revenge an ex who had ran off with my €30,000 and somehow within this process, I grew beyond leaps and bounds, and turned my revenge mission into an unapologetic brand for the fearless baddies – who do not let their past define them. I figured the best form of revenge would be the ultimate success in my next steps in life. Enter “A” – the first letter of my new journey.
What is the philosophy behind “A” and why did you choose to redefine the relationship between women and their handbags?
Although obsessed with handbags, I find that I’ve just never found the right handbags for me. I just don’t see handbags on the market that scream culture, that identify with an attitude or that speak to people with mixed heritage and identity. — So I made “A”, to shout from the mountain tops that handbags are not about who spent the most on what, but rather an extension of your personality. For example, the Birkin is a status symbol, while A isn’t a symbol of wealth, it is an extension of one’s authenticity and power in owning their uniqueness. So our goal and our philosophy is simple: We are here and we exist to feed your ego and accessorize your power.
The concept “feed your ego” is intriguing. How does this idea manifest in your creations?
I often begin any creation from a feeling, mostly when I am extremely euphoric wallowing in happiness or even drowning melancholically in sadness, and then I match this to what is trending at the moment, to really understand what it is that our market is looking for. The great thing about designing with these factors means that everyone experiences happiness, sadness and a multiple array of emotions and trends are so commercially adept that it makes it easy to pick up on a wider market. When it comes down to feeding one’s ego through design, the best way for me to pull from that dialogue is by dealing with my own ego, breaking it down and understanding where my limits should be – mainly to show up as the best and most compassionate version of myself – so as much as it’s a design process, it’s a very therapeutic process as well for me.
It’s simply manifesting – by slowing down, and listening to what these 3 impulses are telling me, my body, my mind and my soul.
For example, if I’m angry you might get a solid rock looklike for a bag (lol), but if I’m happy you might get an upside down heart.
What materials do you prioritize to ensure both durability and style for your bags?
All materials are 100% vegan and tested through a world renowned company known as SGS as well as our hardware. For durability, we do a wear test which brings strength from machinery that mimics the wear and tear process of the handbags prior to sample confirmation. This ensures that we understand 100% the handbags that will be going into your wardrobe, as well as how long it will last when treated correctly.
Why did you decide to incorporate hypoallergenic metals into your “A” designs?
This might sound quite odd, but I actually have a dog who’s allergic to basically life and I’m allergic to a couple of things too. And ultimately it sucks. Now, as a black woman in the Western Hemisphere, we are the minority that suffers a lot from big conglomerate companies that just really do not care about us. I thought it was time to have a brand that cares about the small majority of people who may be suffering from having harsh metals on our skins on a day-to-day basis, therefore insert hypoallergenic metals. It just became more and more apparent that big conglomerates do not care about us so I thought it was time to have a smaller-dog really care about the materials and metals we use on a day-to-day basis that cause some people to suffer. If I can make a woman feel fierce and own her style while also caring about their body and their skin I would go above and beyond to do just as such.
Your brand focuses on empowerment. What does a woman who carries “A” bag look like? What is her mindset?
First of all, she’s cultured, she’s empowered and if she isn’t at current state, she aspires to be. She’s also humble, but she’s fierce, conscious, but bold. At the best of times she’s a walking contradiction but one thing is that she is always is – forthcoming. She’s honest with herself and she’s a young go-getter. Her mindset is agile and flexible. She’s able to do whatever she wants when she puts her mind to it, however, she’s still in the young stages and she has so much of her life ahead of her and a lot to learn. She is curious and basically the younger version of me, who always drove for success, who fought her battles with humility and girth and didn’t let anybody push her down. So today I design for all women and especially those young girls who have a mindset of a warrior.
Could you tell us about an iconic bag from your collection and the story behind it?
THE Iconic Bag you mean to say? The Archie is my absolute favorite and honestly something I have just never seen on the market before. It’s a mix of Y2K bringing the 2000’s back but making it very sexy but also having a little adult to it, as well is tastefully studded and the story behind it is as follows: As I said, I always design from a moment of emotion first and with this particular product, I was home on the couch with my partner and my dog in a cuddle session, simply falling deeper and deeper in love (like the feeling of apricity. For those who don’t know it is the feeling of warmth from the sun on one’s back, specifically on colder months in the year, that’s what his love feels like) so actually the bag is an upside down heart if you look very clearly and very closely…. But don’t tell anyone because this is our little secret and he has no clue.
P.s Yes, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I’m not ashamed of it. I just wish everybody else would too.
If you had to describe A in just three words, which ones would you choose?
Fearless, vegan and edgy
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