In 2021, I launched the eponymous leather goods brand, Alis Mita.
What seemed to be a whim, it was indeed a little girl’s story who grew up in a world of colors and fabrics, immersed in the buzzing sound of the sewing machine, beneath the kind gaze of a dressmaker, my grandmother.
During my childhood, my favorite toy was granny’s box of buttons. This was how I built my own world, having fun and creating characters with small, colorful modular figurines by moving them from right to left, sketching only on my mind. I was unable to express my thoughts in words yet.
When I was 6 years old, I began hand sewing princess dresses for my dolls. I kept the memory of a small dress with a corset and a train, crafted from a green velvet scrap.
Though, I was looking for grown up things to do and tried to tame this “monstre sacré”, this intimidating giant that was the sewing machine. In my attempts to persist and breaking its “teeth” – or the needles in adults’ language, I finally figured out how to master its rhythm and its trajectory.
This passion for shapes and fabrics never left my mind. When I grew up, I learned to appreciate art, architecture, design, and particularly the Art Deco era.
As I was pursuing my career in finance, I was also getting back to hand made work, the passion to create and a fabric I particularly love : leather. About five years ago, I dedicated my evenings, weekends and holidays to learn.
In 2016, I started my first classes at London College of Fashion and learned about saddlery and leather bags in Paris, under the watchful supervision of Laurent Charby, a master craftsman and former workshop manager of luxury design houses.
At the time, I already knew I wanted to create handbags that are elegant, modern and unconventional life objects. I wanted to make them evolve… as if to mock this constancy of boredom, this ode to the fixity of immutable things.
My desire to discover, to create and to act made me turn ideas into action.
I quit my job and a whole world of certitudes. I took the risk to explore my forces, my fears, my weaknesses, and above all, this creative force that I wanted to revive.
This choice was always obvious but never easy; keeping the convictions close to my heart when everyone cautioned against your recklessness, your nonchalance, your state of mind.
The enthusiasm of beginnings and the joy of small victories were followed by so many closed doors, a period of doubts, failures, and reassessment. I was always going through with the faith that I will make my own path through what seemed impossible in the beginnings.
This is when I figured out that my creative force has the sparkling colors of the fabrics I selected and the bold shapes that my hands were crafting.
But above all, the most valuable fortune I became aware of was that there is a creative force that has no color and no shape. It lays into the very depths of our soul, it is this boldness to follow your passion, your craziness, your dreams, and to accomplish them.
Each of our creations features the noblest materials and the spirit of the craftsmen who shape them by hand, giving them their unique character. In this way, we aim to help revitalize and perpetuate the craftsmanship . W e only use full grain leather from short, responsible circuits. Our partner tanneries are located in France and Italy. The larger tanneries have environmental certifications; the smaller ones follow an environmental approach if they don’t have certifications, which are often quite costly to obtain.
All our leather bags and women’sleather belts are made Made in France andMade in Italy. Every product is shaped by hand in small quantities. Our choices are – and will always be – less about places and more people, about the know-how, about ethical practices and above all, about embracing the same state of mind.
Thus, we work with two familiar leather goods workshops, one located in the south of France, and the other one close to Firenze in Italy. For the last half of century, they have made their expertise available for the greatest French and Italian fashion houses.
On the back of this tradition, our ambition is to strive beyond and explore the future’s possibilities.
Modernity and innovation are key factors in choosing our partners as they guarantee the best work conditions and the finest products quality. Thus, we are using engineering techniques at the cutting edges of technology and at the crossroads in variety of skill areas to open other doors for creativity.
We explore these new avenues in three different ways through high-end quality, modern and elegant esthetics, and ingenious functionality. From the inception of the idea to achievement, everything is rooted from history of passion, audacity and ethics.
For instance, this customization system will allow you to change the interchangeable flaps for the crossbody designer bags such as Simone and Zaha. You can also create a modular 2-in-1 bag: the Oprah bag is composed of a wallet with chain and a designer bag tote that can be carried together or separately.
To shape elegant modern designs with an unconventional twist.
But most and foremost, to bring to life meaningful creations that connect with you through a message of hope, joy and self-accomplishment.
To defy those who say it is impossible.
To stretch our realm of possibilities.
But most and foremost, to challenge ourselves
in a spirit of constant evolution.
To respect our environmental resources.
To cherish the human relationships.
So that we can offer you something beautiful, good
and fair.
Receive our inspiration and 10% off your first order!
