DAY DREAMER & DREAM ON

It's finally here! After an intensive design process, Keecie has launched a new bag: Day Dreamer

A true designer tote bag, made of super strong Italian quality leather. With a matching pencil case, the Dream On . A dream duo for those who like simple and stylish. In the Keecie studio we asked designer Klaartje de Hartog to tell us more about the design process Klaartje: 'I have always been a bag lover: from a beautiful handmade designer bag to the simple tote bag.

Only tote bags normally don't last that long, because they are made of cotton or plastic. That's why I thought it would be a nice challenge to design one myself. A tote bag made of quality leather, because that will last a lifetime. And with a choice of all Keecie colours, as you are used to from us. '

But what exactly does designing a new bag involve? we asked Klaartje. 'It actually always starts very simply. With small sketches and notes in a notebook. Then I make a first sample bag from paper in which all my ideas for the new bag come together. That way I can still adjust everything to the design, without it being final.' After that we make a sample from leather here in the studio in Amsterdam.

'Once I'm happy with the design, I send it to our sewing studio in Poland. There they make a sample bag out of leather. They then send that bag back to me, so I can test it for a while. Because a design shouldn't just be beautiful, it should also be functional! So I take plenty of time for the testing process: The bag often goes back and forth between the studio and the sewing studio a few more times. '

'During that process I also start designing the print on the inside of the bag. Because that makes it a real Keecie! This time I was inspired by my stationary collection of all kinds of beautiful notebooks, pens, envelopes and cards. Sometimes they are printed by hand. I definitely have a soft spot for that! 'Finally, I make the design for the print on the computer, so that it can be screen-printed into the bags during production.'

'Once we are completely enthusiastic about the new bag, we go to the sewing workshop in Poland to discuss the final adjustments.

And then...it can finally go into production! And that is craftsmanship. Because all our bags are handmade in a sewing studio that has been run by the same family for years, with a lot of attention and love for the craft. I would love to stay there all day to watch!'

Finally, we asked Klaartje why she likes using the new Day Dreamer bag herself:

Klaartje: 'The nice thing about Day Dreamer is that you can wear it in many ways. I prefer to hold it by the leather handles, but you can also hang it loosely over your shoulder on the long shoulder strap or wear it cross-body. For me, this is really the ideal bag for every day: nice and modern and practical at the same time!

Even my laptop fits in it!'