Stores in Bizkaia Reinvent at 50?A getxotarra changes his life to create the most desired bags

Isabel Quiñones's life has changed course to her 48 years.This Getxotarra, a degree in Political Science and specialized in Human Resources, dedicated himself to the latter sector in different cities in our country, such as Madrid or Seville.This fashion lover found the formula to be happy thanks to the fact that she combined her work with the creative activities she developed in her free time.«I enjoyed making my own accessories.Fashion has always caught my attention.Mainly, the psychology that hides behind, ”he says.He returned to the coastal municipality who saw her grow four years ago and a conversation with a good friend at a sand bookstore opened the way: «The owner of the premises wanted a bag like the one he carried, that I bought it years ago to aDesigner in Madrid.I called her, but she told me that she no longer made them.That was when my friend asked me: And why don't you start making your own designs? ».

Her friend's proposal fell so much in Isabel that she began to prepare these accessories in which we carry everything essential.«I began to train in the leather workshop 'R-Evolutiona', located on 2 de Mayo Street, in San Francisco.And I'm going for my second year, ”he says proudly.There this Biscaya began to produce with great care her first pieces for herself and her nearby circle.In this way, he discovered how much he was passionate to create those accessories that we hang from the hand or shoulder.An enthusiasm that gave a radical turn to his work plans: «He had in his hands the creation of a consulting together with six partners.A project that I left in September last year, ”he says.

An industrial machine was bought - «I was leaving my hands sewing my bags by hand» - and decided to found his own firm, under the name 'Nothink' ('Do not think' in English) in English).A term that responds to the phrase that Isabel repeats to your friends every time something disturbs them: «Do not think, remove the autopilot.And now, what do you want to do? ".A philosophy that pushed him to fight for what really made him happy and filled him.«It was something that removed me inside.Although I'm not going to fool you, I was very afraid.But it was a radical year for me in many ways, so you know what they say: 'Lost to the river'.And I did so, ”he acknowledges with a laugh.

He enabled his parents' storage - abroed and 30 square meters - as a workshop.«This hole has been transforming, little by little I am giving a lot of sense.Now it has good vibes.In the lowest area, for example, I have a small inspiration space, ”he admits.In the study, he also keeps everything necessary to work on his original creations: a riveter, a sewing machine, the skins, a large table that was the old dining table of his house, several donkeys where he hangs the patterns (made incardboard) and the finished pieces...A cozy space, located in Getxo, where idea and elaborates, from beginning to end, each of its pieces by hand: "In fact, I have registered in the artisan registry," he says proudly.

After a few months by tieding ends, earlier this year he took for sale, through the firm's website, his first bags.An online store where it offers, for the moment, twelve models.Some of them have the name of American cities, such as Los Angeles, the 'Best Seller', a bag that can become a backpack;or New York, a sophisticated and small model perfect to go for a drink.Of course, his new designs owe his name to the beaches of the Biscayan coast: from Arrigunaga to Aizkorri."These are the places that I have missed when I lived outside," he says.

The pieces have their own designs - "are very personal" - that cannot be found in the large surfaces and that the current trends follow.In these accessories, Isabel has also tried to improve different practical aspects from her experience as a consumer."I believe the bags that I would wear," ditch.In this way, the concept of "heavy and super classic" bag has broken in pieces that people usually take to the office.«My designs are light and can be taken both to work and the park with the children, or to take some after.They are perfect for off -road women », admits.In addition, the skins used by this artisan to make their bags are very tasteful.In them, small imperfections can be seen, since the leather is very little treated: "They are irregularities that make the perfect pieces".

On the other hand, its items are exclusive, since it only launches "two or three similar pieces".And he does so for two reasons.The first is because it elaborates the bags from the leather remains of other firms."The fragments I buy only reach me to make two or three articles," he explains.In this way, its accessories embrace the circular economy, a production model that aims to reduce both the entry of virgin materials and the production of waste.The second reason why your designs are almost unique is due to the details you add to each bag.

I love going for galea for inspiration.And it usually finds it in different characteristics of nature.From doors inside his workshop, Isabel spends the days overturned in her creations.«I like to wear music or some Netflix background series, light some candle and incense.And I can say that each of my bags are like a child.I suffer them when I draw them because I have not studied design, ”he says.But she prepares them with the 'essay and error' method, with perseverance and effort, until he succeeds."I am very head and that plays in my favor," he admits.And when everything goes well, and the final result is what I had in mind, Isabel feels great satisfaction."Yes, when delivering them, horrible nerves, like when your children have an exam," he jokes.

Being the only one behind its bag signature makes Isabel spend long days between the four walls of the study."There is a lot of work to do.A few days short the skin of several pieces, in another made the bowling...I never usually make one of the pull, ”he says.And their chores are not limited only to the creation of their distinctive pieces.This creative is also responsible for managing the firm's Instagram account.In this virtual showcase, he not only shows the models he produces with care in his workshop, but shares with his faithful other activities that also fill him: "A few weeks ago I made the way of Santiago and I was sharing landscapes that inspired me".

Isabel's designs have gained adherents in the Vizcaíno municipality.«They bet on them and many women repeat.I have friends who already have four different models, ”he says.And his orders already exceed the borders of our territory.The bags of this Biscay that dreams of becoming a fashion in the fashion sector triumph in different national cities such as Madrid and Seville.In fact, his first commission came from the Andalusian capital.Two good friends from Isabel, came to Bizkaia a few days to visit her and turn south with a backpack each."A few weeks later, I already had nine orders," he acknowledges smiling.And this creative admits that its customers are very satisfied after receiving the package.«I take care of it in detail.Treatment that live a sensory experience when they open it.Even the perfume », admits.And if the bags like when they take them out of the packaging, their liking is even greater, if possible, when they use them."They are super practical and light," he says.

Isabel dreams with her feet on the ground, and, specifically, overturned in her creations."My plans are to continue selling my designs," he admits.Next year, he would like to be able to offer his bags in three physical stores: «One in Getxo, another in Madrid and the other still I don't know...», Precise.Although for the moment, on July 7 and 8 he has an appointment with the Madrid, since he will be at the Mangolia Showroom, located in the San Jerónimo race.The following step will be to run their own local workshop so that "customers can customize their bags"."That is, they choose leather and rivets to your liking," he admits.He knows that making this decision would imply abandoning his study, which today houses all his illusions.«It would be very sad, yes, but in life you have to bet, face new challenges and leave the comfort zone.I am willing to do it ».

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