Quute Illumina bags: fashion and function By Becky Lyon

 

Fashion Capital: So first a bit about you. You come from a T.V and radio background – do you have any formal design training?

Sade: I have no training whatsoever in designing however I do have a creative background in makeup artistry and hairdressing. I had my own make-up business in Nigeria, where I was a stylist to news presenters, but I have no training in fashion just an eye for style!

FC: How long has your company been going for?

Sade: The company has been going for about 3yrs now.

 

FC: For someone who can never find their keys in their handbag (no matter how small) – the Quuteillumina concept is genius! Why hasn’t anybody thought of it before?!

Sade: Sorry to disappoint you but someone did come out with this idea but they never made it to the stands. I have heard of some which are made with electro-illuminescent lamps (like fluorescent lamps) which are very different from mine, mine utilise real lights. Besides, the ones I have seen are not very stylish. I have seen one where you have to actually switch on the light when you open the bag which I found quite absurd. I mean imagine coming out of the pub and you are a little tipsy – looking for a switch is the last thing you can or want to do!

 

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FC: Where did you get the idea for the light-up bag from?

Sade: I got the idea of the lights when I had a few frustrating moments in my bag looking for the odd lip-gloss! So, I approached a technology company with my idea and they made up a prototype for me with my specifications. I wanted real lights in my bags not florescent lamps or panels and I wanted the lights to be quite cool and fit in the aesthetics of the bag. Most of all I wanted the lights to come on when the bag was opened and go off when it was closed and that has been achieved – although it took some time finding a company to be able to get the prototype to marketable standards.

 

FC: How long have you been working on the development of the bag and what sort of expertise did you enlist to help you?

Sade: I got the help of Sira, the technology company helped with the prototype but later on moved to Angle plc who got me to where I am now. The manufacturing company who manufacture the lights is Tann electronics.

 

FC: The actual designs of the bag are fabulously stylish in themselves. Where does your inspiration come from?

Sade: The inspiration for the bags comes from the use of damask in Nigeria; a widely used fabric which I thought would make great bags. So far people seem to love them.

 

 

FC: This certainly means a breakthrough in functional bag design. Do you see any further developments in the future?

Sade: I have a patent pending on the lights so I am looking into licensing to other bag manufacturing companies out there. This is a unique concept and very different so I think it will be around for sometime.

 

FC: Where do you expect the bags to be stocked?

Sade: I have been approached from companies in the States and Canada, and a few companies have enquired about licensing the lights for them to have in their own bags. There is also interest from the Middle East and here in the UK (in particular a fabulous boutique in Centrale, Croydon). 

 

For enquiries please contact the site: info@quuteillumina.co.uk

Interview by Becky Lyon becky.lyon@hotmail.co.uk