FASHION: MRKT BAG DESIGN INTERNSHIP

MRKT BAG DESIGN INTERNSHIP SHANGHAI
MARCH 2015 +

ABOUT // M.R.K.T. reflects the thriving urban streets of the world where creativity radiates, unconventional ideas are tested, and individuality inspires. M.R.K.T. was started in 2010 by Harvard-trained architect Tom Pen as he set out to challenge conventional fashion trends and today we continue creating accessories inspired by clean and pure form. Structure, function and geometry are our guides as we push the boundaries of design in every M.R.K.T. bag.

UNCONVENTIONAL MATERIALS // Unconventional, innovative and functional describe the criteria in selecting materials for M.R.K.T. accessories. Our products feature interesting textures with great durability and are animal friendly and environmentally responsible.

• VEGN LEATHER - Maintenance free, lightweight, and animal friendly
• SMRT FELT - 100% recyclable, made by a leading German manufacturer
• SUPR FELT - Durable and water resistant, the next generation of SMRT FELT
• THRMO RESIN - Certified 100% biodegradable after disposal
• MCRO SUEDE - Soft suede microfiberwoven from thread 20x finer than silk
• MCRO LEATHER - Buttery smooth microfiber with premium feel and minimalist style

I started my internship at M.R.K.T mad rabbit kicking tiger in Shanghai March 2015. Established by an architect graduate from Harvard, it’s mainly a bag design company, using non-woven industrial like materials for the bags with a hugely geometric influence (art felt in particular) the bags are usually male or unisex, The owner Tom Pen wants me to help design some more feminine bags for the company. All the employees are Chinese, Tom of course speaks fluent English (though I’m not too sure where he is from) and Ducky and speak some English too. I spent the Monday in a design meeting which was in Chinese and only sometimes translated for me, some good practise, I was asked for opinions of mock up bags and if changed needed to be made and the majority of which was taken into consideration and while be adapted accordingly, especially since I am the only non-chinese employee and young female. The company has home stores across China, in 150 boutiques in America with a larger expansion plan for Europe, China and America this year, along with hopefully a collection solely for Bloomingdales/Macey’s if they play their cards right.
I spent the first week researching current bags, shape, feminine styles, patterns ad 3d/2d graphics and shapes along with their current bags. I was given some new projects, create new patterns for their main female "petal" bag, create a flat pack bag and a bag I would use every day myself, which in the end will be made and perhaps used by the company and will also be given to me!

Finished doing patterns for the petal bags, varying in colour and patterns, such as triangles, stripes, maze etc. will perhaps return to this. I am now currently designing flat pack bags, flat material pieces that push out and connect together into a bag, no really done anywhere, saves on space, money for transport etc. and therefore a bit more environmentally friendly. Tom wants me to design these as he's always wanted something like this. Did about 19 different designs, mainly drawing from his own collection and will draw out in specifics some of the best with measurements etc.

My butterfly design is getting used (though I’ve had to add orange pattern into it which I dislike but that’s what he wanted) this will be used for the female bag collection for SS16, unfortunately only in China. But the bags sell for approx. 500RMB! Also experimented with some more colours and shapes and eventually steamed them all into place. They look pretty good! He then had me develop one of my bags that has a lot of origami folds and has a sort of envelope fold to it.

 I’ve been experimenting with it by making models from paper. And also looking at the idea of my triangle backpack being made from a flat pack design.  However the fastening and openings need to be sorted to be practical and not just funky geometric. His co-worker American shoe designer gave me a wallet made from leather and waterproof paper from his last collection which was pretty cool. He suggested visit the MRKT shop in K11 because I could help with visual merchandising and showing creativity and colour as a lot of the Chinese workers don’t have the skills. And to look at his upcoming shoe catalogue and give some suggestions makes me feel important and the way he suggested it made me feel that perhaps I could get some actual work from this?

In work got speaking to Tom about where to move with the bags, look in detail about the flat packs, do an everyday female bag and the fold triangle envelope bag. there's a childrens wear company who want to work with MRKT and Tom was thinking the triangle backpack would be perfect as one fo these. also doing the New pandora bag shoot on the 15th with me as the model!! going to Jing'an park for that (since it is so close)

Wednesday in work was the photoshoot for the pandora bags for MRKT Tom had a driver pick us wife, Tom's chinese wife was there too, she asked me what modeling i'd done before and who did my makeup, she seemed quite happy and surprised i'd done none and i'd done the makeup myself, but whatever, just went to a simple natural look. we went to the nearby JING'AN park to take photos, i hadnt been there since i first came to Shanghai in september. we took shots with myself and the new Italian/Brazilian intern from the CRSS internship (she was adopted at 1 by Italians) they mainly took ones with me, ofc focusing on the bag, in a variety of areas with different bags and some just in scenery. i was listening to my headphones and playing with my phone (hoping for them to take the hint for a casual photograph which they finally did) Ducky and Toko seemed to be happy and said i was a natural. fun day and was nice to have some of my bags being used!