Stories
Extra!
Extra!
My Métier
Profile Series with Founder & Designer Melissa Morris
11 March
2019
https://metier.com/blogs/stories/my-metier-profile-series-with-founder-designer-melissa-morris
What do you
do and why is it your passion?
I am the
founder and designer of Métier. Everything about my work reflects my passion.
The people I design for. The people I work with. I think it's impossible to
build a new global luxury brand for men and women from scratch without being
incredibly passionate and excited about every detail. As the head of the
company, I am involved in every aspect and I honestly love it all. For me, it’s
all about connecting the dots.
What is the
process for creating your work?
I first
start by identifying a journey that one of my pieces in the current collection
doesn’t satisfy. Usually, this happens when I am doing something and wish I had
a piece specifically for it—in fact, I recently developed a wine carrier after
going to a dinner party and not having anything nice to carry a bottle of wine!
I then think about all the requirements around the journey—what you most likely
will carry, how you need to access your items (e.g. our travel bags always have
an exterior pocket that is easy to access, for your phone and passport). I also
think about what elements need to be modular and versatile.
From there,
I concept different shapes and details. I play with different lines and
curvatures that feel harmonious and allow the functionality to be seamless,
effortless and intuitive.
Once I have
conceived the design, I create life-size scale one drawings. I then put them
together to create a 3D version of the bag out of paper so I can ensure every
detail has been considered and achieves what I want it to. In this way, I can
also check proportions and spot any additional considerations ahead of making
the paper pattern. Once I am happy with it, the work goes to Italy where we
make a paper pattern and then develop our first prototype.
We work on
the thickness of each leather panel and the amount of reinforcement in each
layer so that we balance lightweight and lasting—I love when each piece has the
perfect, effortless slouch. We then go through several prototyping rounds,
fine-tuning as we go. I then wear test each piece for at least one month to
ensure it is perfect and to spot any weaknesses. After that, we send the piece
to a special testing facility which simulates 20 years of use with wind, rain,
humidity and weight. Once the design passes that test, it is approved, and
final samples are made. Without a doubt, my favourite part of my work is
sketching—I love letting my mind wander and I love designing the specs for each
piece. This is followed closely by my other favourite moment—unwrapping the
first prototype. I am actually receiving two new ones tomorrow… I can’t wait.
How often
are you travelling? What routine or tricks have you created for being on the
road so often?
Almost every
week at the moment! This week I was in Paris, tomorrow I'm off to NYC. Then
Qatar and then Hong Kong. All in this month! I have got very good at packing.
My best trick is my carry-on. I load it with all kinds of different sized
pouches. One for my electronics. One for my toiletries. My Runaway for my
essentials. My travel pillow, extra socks, a cashmere wrap that can be a scarf
or a blanket… and I must admit I can get through the security line in about 30
seconds flat. I have a special pocket for the laptop and side pockets for
toiletries and a special place for the passport which is easy to access. I like
to move as quickly through the airport as possible and feel as together as
possible so I can remain relaxed and calm. My other trick is that I always do
yoga the morning before a flight and then the evening or morning after I
arrive. I swear it helps with jet lag and allows me to hit the ground
running—which is necessary since I am often operating on two time zones.
What is your
favourite thing about travelling?
Being
exposed to different cultures. I love observing different ways to approach the
world and different ways to communicate. I am inspired by the different ways
that exist to design buildings, roads or even signs… it's something we take for
granted, but each culture has really developed their own way, something I find
fascinating. I love that when you land in NYC, the energy feels entirely
different to when I am in London. It seems like an obvious concept but I am
constantly inspired by being exposed to different cultures. I have a long list
of places I wish to travel to… I try to avoid going to the same places too
often as there is so much of the world to explore!
What does
luxury mean to you?
Timeless.
Authentic. Perfected. Designed for the client.
What are the
things we will always find inside your bag (the non-obvious please!)
Yoga
clothes—it keeps me sane. My sketchbook. And my laptop. Not super exciting, but
you can see what life is like as an entrepreneur :) Probably the only thing
missing from my essentials is a way to feasibly carry around a bottle of wine
with me... hence why I will soon have a Métier wine carrier in the collection!
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