Interview with Pouchi

I was searching for a luxurious fanny pack and when I couldn't find it, I decided to design it myself. Now I have my own label and everything I design, I design for myself. My motivation is that I have to walk in it so it HAVE to be perfect.

I choose :-).

Bags, and I wish to design my own clothing label, shoes, watches, jewellery.

Hahaha... Legend??? Oh my... I don't see myself that way. But I say: whatever you do, do it with passion and perseverance and you will be successful.

Creativity? The dosis of creativity I think.

Quality, user friendly and perfection.

Everyone should invest in good design to stand out and profit of the long-lasting use. If a design is really good, I can assure you that the quality is perfect.

One of a kind bags for our Queen of the Netherlands Maxima (I adore her) and for the stunning motivational and strong Michelle Obama (You gotta love her!).

Watches and sexy lingerie.

Passion, perfection and uniqueness.

One of my best friends Loes Vrij: I am so proud of how she is doing it. But to be honest... I don't know much about other designers, legends etc. I hope this is not a bad thing. I get my inspiration from everywhere.

Loes Vrij: Quality and the playful devil ears on her bags. New collection Gucci: The embroideries. Chanel: Timeless.

Mine so far is the first multifunctional fanny pack with two mini pockets, croco embossed calf leather. Why it's great? Because you can wear it classy and casual, as a fanny pack, a shoulder bag, a cross body, a wallet, a clutch. The size is perfect to carry your most important belongings with you such as: phone, creditcards, keys, lipstick, and some other small stuff. The leather is of the highest quality. The finishing touch is our POUCHI logo.

Always always try to better your self in everything you do, thus also in your designs.

I have no idea! But, one thing I am sure of: I will always be an entrepreneur. I don't like easy and boring. I am too adventurous to not to try to do something unusual.

Design is art. Sounds cliche but it is.

I worked alone all these years but have many friends motivating me, loving me and my designs, buying my designs, my family who is very proud of me and have my back in any circumstances. My boyfriend.

My creativity, perfection and google ;-)

Obstacles becoming a designer? - I had no design experience but that didn't hold me back. Becoming a designer was easy for me... but in my entrepreneurial life I had many obstacles... One of the biggest is: Not having enough money to do what need to be done to set up a successful business. But again, it didn't hold me back... I create success in all kinds of creative ways.

In their own style, clear and with a touch of perfection.

Matching shoes, Perfume, Clothing, Jewellery.

To make the most beautiful products and to be the next international well known brand.

Matching shoes and Perfumes.

The multifunctional POUCHI bags because I make my customers happy with these designs. It's a proven success.

3 to 4 months.

Sketching, choosing materials.

Life motto, not only as a designer but as a person: "Always, always better yourself, in everything you do"

I think my designs sets the trend ;-)

Paper and pen.

The most importent aspects in my opinion because they are the clothes of the soul (design)

Where can I buy? ;-)

Why didn't I think of that? ;-)

One of my best friends, Carmen. Carmen is a beautiful, elegant woman, 50 plus. When I told her that I was going to design a luxurious fanny pack, she began to laugh. She laughed so hard and while laughing she asked me: "Who is walking with a fanny pack nowadays?" This was medio 2011. Because of her comment I tried to find ways to develop a multifunctional bag so that my friend would want to wear my design. I don't know if she is aware of this matter.

Michelle Obama.. Not about politics, nor about fashion.. just about everything and nothing.

It really feels great to win this award because it gives me more motivation to do what I do. I am not famous (yet) ;-) - but I hope my brand will get the famously recognition worldwide.

Favorite color: I don't have one specific color but many I really like. Place: I am too adventurous to have only one favourite place... I enjoy many places, many countries, many styles of food etc. Favourite food: Japanese and Surinam food... but then again, I just LOVE food... all kinds of food ;-). Favorite season: Summer! I love the SUN. My most favourite thing to do: Dining at fancy restaurants ;-).

I was wandering at the Burberry store in Miami and store employee was observing me. A couple of minutes later he came to ask me what kind of bag I was wearing. He asked: "is it a fanny pack or a shoulder bag?" - That day I was wearing my bag as a fanny pack. I explained to him that it was a multifunctional bag. He expressed how he really liked it, then left me to shop in peace, but still was checking my bag out. A while later he came back to ask me what brand it was. I got a little shy but at the same time I was so proud to tell him that it was I who designed the bag. His whole team surrounded me to admire my bag.

Born and raised in Suriname, South America by the best parents a child could have. I have 2 sisters. They are both mother of two. My family and friends are my VIP's in my life. I love pictures, to make and to take. Instagram is my most favourite app at the moment because it contains only pictures. Follow me @veronicajibodh and @veronicajibodhofficial and follow POUCHI @pouchiofficial and @pouchimoments.

POUCHI was officially founded in 2012. Our office is located in Amsterdam and employed by me and two interns at the moment. We are planning to open our first flagship store in the centre of Amsterdam.

In my vision "design" is "art" and "perfection" combined in one.

I don't have a specific category yet, because I am all over challenging myself to make something beautiful on which topic comes in my head. I started with bags, so these are my easiest to design because I know the process from inside and out now.

My most favorite design is my first design. It is a multifunctional fanny pack, which you can wear as a shoulder bag, cross body, wallet, or pouch. The chain of the bag is completely removable and can also be worn as belt or a necklace. It's made of high quality leather, embossed with a croco print.

A multifunctional fanny pack to be worn as a shoulder bag, cross body, wallet, or pouch. The chain of the bag is completely removable and can also be worn as belt or a necklace.

Leather, all kinds of leather!

I don't have a specific time... It's mostly when I am most motivated. It can be by a motivational conversation I have, or an idea I have that I want to create for my brand.

Quality and Perfection... The first thing I am looking at are the stitches.

Excitement.

Excitement and Happiness.

Quality, Perfection and the must have feeling of my customers.

The stitching part and the functionality of the design.

Well, it's not only about designers but we people should all take care of our society and environment by taking care and being responsible for our own deeds. Be good, do good.

I think we are going back to the 50's with some enhancements here and there... It's a cycle.

In 2013 I had an event showcasing my collection but never really had an international exhibition. My very first international exhibition will be in 2018.

My inspiration comes from motivation and my motivation comes from my own needs and lifestyle. I am a sucker for beauty and perfection and when I see beautiful quality materials I just want to make something perfect out of it.

Timeless.

I live in Amsterdam.

What do you mean? What companies? I work with manufacturers to make my designs, and with partner stores to sell my designs.

Ask to see some of his or her work and trust your gut feeling.

First step: I know what I want. Second: I have the materials in my head. Third: I start sketching. Fourth: I sent my sketches to the manufacturer. Fifth: We discuss. Sometimes I have to travel to the Manufacturer and sometimes it get all worked out by whatsapp. Sixth: I choose materials. Seventh: A sample is being made. Eight: I control the samples and if it need to be improved, I sent it back or they just make a new one. I go on until it's perfect. Ninth: At last, but not least, I start the production part. Tenth: Quality control before we start selling. And be we I mean, my team and I.

My first collection, My kitchen, A jacket from Saint Laurent, A necklace with a pendant and earrings in the same style my grandmother gave me before she passed away, A wooden statue of a woman I once bought in Suriname.

Hectic! Everyday is different. In the mornings I am a little slow, so I start at the office at 10 AM. Sometimes I have meetings out of the office, in this case I come in a little later. At this moment I have two interns. We are working on fine-tuning our website, marketing strategies, social media, and other boring office stuff. In between I also plan meetings... sometimes with bloggers, with other designers or who-ever is in need of that moment. In between I also communicate via whatsapp with the manufacturers to get our production or samples right. When we have our newest production we send them out for product photography or stills. Then we try to get in touch with retailers to show case our products. After 7 I go home to have dinner, or at a restaurant with friends. I often think that those restaurant dates would get me to relax but I have a couple of entrepreneurial friends so we keep talking about work.. It is relaxing in some kind of way but also not. At home, while having dinner, I always watch a movie or serie.. and then finally try to relax. I take a shower, brush me teeth, go to bed, sometimes with my laptop trying to do some last to-do's, after that I scroll on Instagram till I fall asleep. Designing I do in between.

Maybe it's cliche but: Don't give up on your dreams. Do is with passion and you will see that something beautiful will come out of it.

If you are a perfectionist like I am, it can be very irritating... On one hand it's a good thing because you will do everything to make a perfect product, but on the other hand 1 design can take too long before it's finished. The same with everything else... sometimes we (designers) have to be less critical because it only slows us down.

Do it with passion, use nice fabrics, try not to copy.

A creative mind and the will to do it.

A pen and paper and my head ;-)

When I want to design something, I take how long I need. Mostly I work at home on my designs because I don't want to be disturbed. I take my time and get relaxed by it.

A couple of months, 2 to 4 months mostly, from sketching, meetings, materials, samples, final product.

"How did you become a designer?" or "How did you came up with the idea to start your own brand or company?"

My first collection from the beginning till the end and what to do after your designs are ready, how to set a retail price and how to market and sell.

At the moment: Women between 25 and 60, in love with the uniqueness of the POUCHI touch. Women of all sorts, from entrepreneurs to rich housewives to hairdressers to lawyers. Also retailers with who sells Elisabetta Franchi, Kenzo, Hugo Boss, Gucci and other high end brands.

Bags, because I started my company with these and I have learnt all the materials. For me it is easy.

I would like to POUCHI expand with more products such as matching shoes, perfume, watches, other accessories and clothing. Beside POUCHI I have a new label idea (the name has already been registered), for the mid segment.

At the moment I develop the designs myself. Since february 2017 I have two interns who are giving their input.

Yes, except for the new bags, a shoe collection, a parfume line and a t-shirt line.

Via email: veronica@pouchi.com
Via socialmedia: @pouchiofficial @pouchimoments @veronicajibodh @veronicajibodhofficial

No, except for that I hope you enjoyed this interview ;-)