MILAN — At first look, the new Mlouye store in Milan appears to be more of an exhibition space than a shop, with its tiny glass entrance revealing the basic, optical white space inside. The sleek atmosphere and geometric lines reflect the sculptural designs that have landed the Turkish indie accessories firm in the hands of celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, and Sara Sampaio, to mention a few. Mlouye is a rare case of a contemporary brand settling in the tony fashion street of Milan's Via Gesù, next to luxury players such as Goyard, Acqua di Parma, Cartier, Thom Browne, and the Four Seasons Hotel.
Yet, for creator and creative director Meb Rure, it couldn't have been any other way: Milan had to be the place to begin off the brand's next chapter, which would include retail development, not just because of its influence in fashion but also in design. This dichotomy is reflected in Rure's personal work and Mlouye's ethos, since the creator has a background in industrial design, which inspires the company she founded in 2015.
"After college, I worked as a freelancer on projects like as packaging, furniture, and home appliances." Then I decided to pursue my love and began designing handbags.... And I believe there are two reasons for this. The first is that I am a 'bag-aholic.' Second, as industrial designers, we are trained to create objects, and while ready-to-wear is a completely different animal, handbags are very close," said Rure, whose rationalist vision is influenced by the Bauhaus movement.
"The purpose of The Absolut Espresso Martini Handbag is to take the legendary drink beyond the bar and into people's homes," Bentel added in the statement. "With this innovative contrast, there is a true tale to tell: much like the timeless recipe, The Absolut Espresso Martini Handbag is the right balance of strong complexity and nostalgic nostalgia." If you're looking for the right "cocktail attire" for a Christmas party, this may be it.
To dispel this myth, the creator and her team of craftsmen in Turkey handcraft Mlouye's leather products, experimenting with colours and imaginative but functional designs. The Sera totes in various sizes, all with an accordion-like construction emphasised by multicoloured strips of leather; the Studio Hobo shoulder bag with its sleek and graphic silhouette embellished by a rectangular detail in acetate on the handle; and the fun Helix bucket with its swirling design amplifying the rounded shape, are highlights of the collection. The Harley style, a multipurpose handbag with a reversible flap structure and four large pockets that can also be worn on the shoulder or crossbody, was recently introduced by the brand.
