I spent two summers designing handbags for Olbrish, a leather goods label in Berlin, Germany.
I spent two summers designing handbags for Olbrish, a leather goods label in Berlin, Germany.
The Olbrish handbag workshop in Kreuzberg, Berlin, has been producing architecturally-inspired handbags since 1983. All parts of the business take place under one roof—office, product design, production, inventory, and distribution. It was a great place to work and learn.
In 2005, a new candidate was campaigning for Chancellor.
A summer highlight: the annual Kreuzberg vs Friedrichshain water fight, a friendly rekindling of the East vs West Berlin rivalry.
It was wonderful spending my days immersed in art and design. My roommate Marko, a Berlin native and initially a total stranger, befriended me and showed me around town. He later became my brother-in-law.
Auster (Oyster), designed with Chris Turitzin, and Ei Tasche ("Egg Basket"), designed with Chris Turitzin and Joanna Madsen.
Seven years later in Maine, by chance I was seated next to a woman carrying the Egg Basket! We talked about her bag, she asked me to autograph the purse, but I bashfully declined.