Around the world, the beauty and cultural wisdom of age-old craftsmanship is slowly disappearing. Highly skilled craftsmen and women have become an endangered species as more young people choose other career options. This, and the increase of industrialized production have brought many traditional, craft-based businesses to their knees. Those that remain are often small, family-run enterprises, without the financial resources to attract and develop new talent and without the skills to create sustainable business models. While the world is moving toward fast fashion, SwanDoe focuses on supporting artisans worldwide in an effort to uphold an age-old craft, bringing forth our founder’s training under an Hermès master artisan. Craftsmanship, innovation and excellence are our core values; we are based on tradition and heritage.
Today we take you behind the scenes, into our San Francisco atelier where your products come to life; you'll glimpse into the process and method behind how your bags are made. Bordering Golden Gate Park to the south, with the Presidio to the north, our studio is located in the Inner Richmond; an under-the-radar neighborhood surrounded by green space. We are steps away from the laid-back locale with simple, delicious, diverse shops and dining options along Clement Street. Filled with natural light, it's where we spend our days snipping and stitching away, always with a cup of caffeine at our elbows. Never completely sure if we're working or playing, it's where we lose track of time, completely in our own world, mesmerized by the music and the art we create. If you've ever wondered who makes your bag in the San Francisco atelier, it's these two troublemakers right here (^.~)
Meet Mark + Xuan, the creative minds behind the upcoming MARX collection. You may have seen a few postings of these intricate inlay bags a few months back! Each color is a separate piece of leather, carefully cut by hand then strategically set together to create patterns for your exclusive MARX bags.
Why the name MARX? It's simply a word play on Mark + Xuan's name. Together, these two are brewing an American Made collection, with the vision of building their own micro factory here in the Bay one day.
The process in making these bags is labor intensive and requires attention to details. Once our designs are perfected, we create paper patterns. Then we start with inspecting the leather, choosing only the best sections for each piece. Once cut to size, we assemble, stitch, patiently sand the edges to create an even line before we can treat the edges with bee's wax, edge paint and process it through a heat treatment; sealing the edges and protecting it from water damage. Depending on the size and project design, our bags can take more than 40 hours to complete.
Interested in touring our studio? Let us know and Subscribe to our Newsletter for exclusive offers and special invitations to visit us in San Francisco!
]]>With daylight savings now a thing of the past, spring is finally here (hint: today is the start of SPRING!).
As we spring (pun intended) into warmer weather, our closet is definitely lightening up; but while everyone is introducing a new shade of pink, we decided to brighten up your day and wardrobe with cooler hues that will remind you of the sea, sand and warm summer breezes. This way, you will be ready for summer too!
Last year we launched the Essentials Collection and within 6 weeks of launch, our reversible totes completely sold out, with the color Capri selling out first. Since, many have requested for this color to return, but this year, it’s coming back with a wallet to match.
It’s easy to see why these bags were fast sellers, they are perfect for trips where you want to stay organized and look great. As modern women play a ton of different roles in their lives, we have made it our focus to design pieces that can help vary your look. Both of these bags allow you to travel light. The tote easily folds & lays flat if you need to pack it, while the Melody cross body clutch bag is a 3-in-1. It functions just like its name. You can wear it as a shoulder bag, cross body bag; use it as a wallet or as a clutch. The versatility in this design makes it unique and allows you to switch it up every now and then.
We are happy to announce that the Melody Wallet Cross-body Bag is now available for immediate purchase and you can pre-order the Van Reversible Tote in two new colors: Capri + Passion. They're all waiting for you under the Essentials Collection.
Have a color request? Leave us a comment below. I personally will read & respond to every message...promise! Don't forget to share your photos and/or vacation plans for this summer. Let us know what we should consider designing too. Whether or not you have one of our products, we would love to hear from you & see where we can improve. xoxo
]]>Good Afternoon!
At the end of October we announced a giveaway in our first blog entry when we launched the Essentials Collection. If you've missed that, don't worry, there's still time! The giveaway ends on December 3rd, so enter now for your chance to win! There are a few ways to win one of our convertible 'Melody' Wallet Crossbody Bag and the 'Drop-In' Pouch Wallet! See details below!
Winner will be randomly selected and announced on our blog and Instagram on December 1, 2016 by or before midnight PST. If you are the lucky winner, all you have to do is pick your color: Pumpkin Pie or Ruby Sky and email us at info@swandoe.com; provide your mailing information so we can get your Christmas gift to you in time :)
3 ways you can enter the Giveaway:
OPTION 1.
Step 1: Leave a comment below
Step 2: Follow us on Instagram , double tap on this image on our Instagram,
comment then re-share or post that same photo and tag us in your post!
only public profiles are qualified
OPTION 2.
Step 1: Leave a comment below
Step 2: Like us on Facebook, share this blog entry or create your own post and tag us in your post! only public posts are qualified
OPTION 3.
Step 1: Leave a comment below
Step 2: Visit us at our Pop-Up event at West Elm in downtown Palo Alto on November 26 & 27 and enter the giveaway in person!
NOTE: If you entered the contest via the first blog post, your entries are in and will be added to the pool of entries when we do the final drawing on December 1, 2016.
Good luck and I hope to see you at our Pop Up Event on November 26 & 27!
xoxo
Xuan
*Please note that all contests are currently only open to US residents who are at least 18 years of age at the time of winning. Only ship within the 48 contiguous states.
]]>I am SO pumped to announce our first ever Holiday Pop Up Shop!
The wonderful folks at the Palo Alto West Elm invited me to set up shop for the weekend after Thanksgiving - I will be able to take a table in their beautiful store to share my collection with you and everyone who visits that weekend!
The store is super easy to get to, it is located at the corner of University Avenue and Emerson Street.
If you've experienced pop-ups before, you know you'll need to get there early to catch the special promotions and/or items you've been eyeing in our online boutique because once we sell out, we sell out. Why? Our items are made in small production batches and because each piece require a lot of work and time to make. We have decided to focus more on quality than quantity, so our items are limited. What's also limited are these cute and yummy macarons from our friends at Macarons a go-go
We will be gifting a scrumptious macaron with each purchase...because life is sweet!
That is....until we run out, of course, but life is sweet nonetheless :)
So........................ ............................... and say hello if you are in the area. I will be there all weekend and would love to see you!
xoxo,
Xuan (Swan)
]]>Autumn started over a month ago, but we have been lucky in this corner of the world to still enjoy the warm sun. As I look out my window this morning, I notice the trees transitioning their colors into warm hues. There is something about fall that leaves me in awe. Maybe it’s the colors; the beautiful, crisp golden air; or because it is finally boots season and I love standing in the autumn rain. Fall has always been my favorite season, a time when everything bursts with beauty; as if nature is giving us a second spring, a new perspective, a new beginning, and not to mention, a reminder that the holidays are just around the corner. In light of this, we are beginning our journey at SwanDoe and cannot wait to show you what we have been working on all summer.
As we slip into fall, the leaves slowly start to explode with shades of yellow, orange and red, which makes this season so special, and we took notes last year. In fact, the inspiration came from one of my day trips to Napa. Here are some memories from last November when everything was just gorgeous and more picturesque than you can ever imagine, with a golden touch!
The leaves are just perfect, aren't they? So beautiful!
We found these beautiful vines across the street from where we had lunch. I had to take a selfie, of course :)
So go-ahead, grab a slice of pumpkin pie and head over to the Essentials Collection because you might go hungry reading color names. Yes, finally, we are now LIVE and you can start your Christmas shopping list early with our ‘Autumn Harvest’ Essentials Collection :)
Pssstt…there is a delicious treat when you subscribe to our newsletter, so don’t forget to check that out!
While you’re at it, grab a warm yummy drink too, or our Reversible Tote in Pumpkin Spice. This tote is definitely my new go-to piece; there is a lot of room for all the essentials and because it is reversible, I am having twice the fun matching it with my outfits throughout the holiday season!
As we creep ever closer to the holidays and time begins to feel like it is passing at warp speed, I hope you are able to take the time to remember all we have in this life to be thankful for. At SwanDoe, we are eternally grateful for our loyal clients, friends and family who has consistently showered us with kind words; inspired us to become better versions of ourselves and to follow our dreams. So, in the spirit of thanks + giving, we are hosting a contest. YUP! You can win one of our convertible 'Melody' Wallet Crossbody Bag and the 'Drop-In' Pouch Wallet!
Winner will be randomly selected and announced on our blog and Instagram on December 1, 2016. If you are the lucky winner, all you have to do is pick your color: Pumpkin Pie or Ruby Sky and email us your mailing information so we can get your Christmas gift to you in time :)
Enter the contest by leaving us a comment below, then share this blog post on either Facebook or Pinterest and tag us in your post, so we can LOVE it too. Good luck, and happy Autumn!
xoxo,
Xuan Commagere
p.s. Happy Halloween!!
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