Our history
-Inma Camacho
How INMA AND KATE began:
"I was operating an international consultancy business, but something inside called me to explore my creativity. One day, an ex-intern of mine named Kate from Columbia University in New York gifted me a bag with a tag that said it was made especially for me. The tag angered me because brands say all the time that they make personalized products, but it's not true. The designer of that bag didn't know me at all. A little over a month later, I started designing bags that were and continue to be different from the other brands, founded on the idea of making bags specifically for an individual customer.
I started to design and create bags, which was my way of fulfilling the need to be creative. In all of my creations and prototypes, you can see the vision I have for my brand. I am focused on being socially conscious and building a responsible brand to make the planet more sustainable. Above all, I want my products to transmit the happiness and energy that I have to my customers and the people around them.
"...something inside called me to explore my creativity"
I got the idea for my brand in February 2015 and, after three months, I was selling bags in Spain and a month later in the United States as well. Since then, we continue to improve our minimalist designs by incorporating new and high-quality materials sourced entirely from Spain so that we can better support the local artisanal community and minimize the environmental impact of each bag. Our goal is, and always will be, to make INMA AND KATE a brand of the highest quality that lifts the community around us. Everything we do is to accomplish that goal.
"Todos nuestros modelos son diseñados y fabricados en España, con productos nacionales de alta calidad"
Soy muy creativa desde pequeña. Cualquier color, cualquier material—siempre me ocurría algo que hacer. En cualquiera situación yo veo una oportunidad de como inventar un objeto. Por ejemplo, me acuerdo un día en que estaba en el taller. Les había diseñado un prototipo a los obreros que habían metido la pata, y tenían muchísimo apuro de decírmelo. Les dije que ni se preocuparan, que quien está conmigo puede meter la pata igual que yo, y de lo negativo siempre hago algo positivo. Con lo cual cogí unas tijeras, corté una serie de cesteras que habían cosido por un sitio, y con dos simples cortes un error se convirtió en el modelo Sevilla. En corto, se puede decir que la inspiración para mis bolsos viene de mi habilidad de coger algo y reinventarlo, y de aprovechar de cualquiera situación que se presenta.
Cuando yo me pregunto en qué se diferencia INMA AND KATE del resto de marcas que hay en el mercado, lo primero que digo es que los diseños son minimalistas, prácticos, y sobre todo versátiles. Se pueden traer a la playa o a una boda super elegante; funcionan para cada ocasión, y por eso les llamo “Only one—all in one.” Además, yo fijo mucho en el color de mis diseños. Para mí, los colores vivos son la mejor manera de transmitir la energía y alegría que quiero que la gente sienta cuando lleva mis bolsos. Juntos con mi estilo sencillo y elegante, mis bolsos son totalmente únicos. Pero, la característica que hace que mis bolsos se destaquen más es que todo la producción y los diseños son artesanales, hecho a mano y 100% españoles, desde la piel si misma a los artesanos que lo forman.
En cuanto a la proyección de INMA AND KATE en los próximos cinco años, quiero que la marca participe más en eventos y desfiles de moda, en programas de radio y de televisión, y en charlas en institutos de negocios. Intento aprovechar de cualquier oportunidad en que puedo hablar de INMA AND KATE para que la fama de la marca crezca. Otra cosa que estamos haciendo es mejorando las ventas. Me gustaría tener tiendas de INMA AND KATE—y solo de INMA AND KATE—en todas las ciudades más importantes en toda la geografía española y además en Italia, Japón, Inglaterra y Francia. Los próximos anos serán unos de gran expansión para nosotros, y esperamos que tú nos acompañes en este viaje.
Spanish Craftsman-ship
"The brand uses local goods and services, from raw materials to distribution"
-Telemadrid, interview with Inma
I have been creative since I was little. With any color, any material, something to create always occurs to me. In whatever situation I can think of something to invent. For example, I remember one day when I was in the workshop, I had designed a prototype for the workers but they had made a mistake in the fabrication and were embarrassed to tell me. I told them not to worry, that mistakes happen and that from something negative I can always make something positive. So, I grabbed a pair of scissors and with a few quick cuts I designed the model Sevilla. My inspiration for bags comes from my ability to see something, reinvent it and take advantage of whatever situation presents itself to me.
When I ask myself how INMA AND KATE is different from other brands in the market, the first thing I think about is the minimalist, practical and versatile designs. The bags are so versatile that they can be taken to the beach or an elegant wedding. They work for different occasions and that’s why I call them “only one – all in one”. Furthermore, I always take the color as a really important characteristic in my designs. For me, bright colors are the best way to transmit positive energies and happiness, which are things I want people to feel when they are wearing my bags. Together with my minimal and elegant style, my bags are completely unique. But the characteristic that makes my bags stand out is the fact that the production and designs are hand-made and 100% Spanish, from the materials used to the hands that put them together.
The Circular Economy:
The union between economic growth and care of our planet
Inma and Kate collaborates with the circular economy by following these steps:
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Optimizing the design during every phase of the product’s life until it is finally recycled or reused
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Minimizing the amount of materials by following a carefully made pattern of the products
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Producing the least amount of waste possible
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Saving on energy expenditure
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Avoiding the use of toxic or dangerous materials
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Using local products
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Contributing to the social economy by guaranteeing work in safe conditions and encouraging social integration and equality
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Promoting cultural ecology through educational and developmental measures that improve the craft sector, traditional professions, popular culture, and local traditions
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Creating craft workshops that maintain and recover our long artisan tradition by training many professionals
Telemadrid, interview with Inma
Our future
When I think about where I see INMA AND KATE in the next five years, I hope that the brand participates in more events including fashion shows, radio and TV shows, and business conferences. I try to take advantage of any opportunity I have in which I can talk about and promote INMA AND KATE, in order for it to become well-known and gain the attention it deserves. Another thing that we are aiming to do is increase sales. I’d love to have more INMA AND KATE stores with only INMA AND KATE products in some of the most important cities in Spain, United States, Italy, Japan, England, and France. The next few years will be of great expansion for us and we hope that you come along for the ride.
The purpose of INMA AND KATE is to safeguard the Spanish artisanal community by mostly using locally sourced materials and creating workshops for other artisans as part a reputable national association that we are currently working to create. There are many artisans and designers that need help either with techniques or their business. All of us artisans have to help each other. With your help, we can reach this dream to form a new generation of these guilds.
Currently, we are working on finishing all the prototypes we have created for this young and minimalist brand. I have a backpack that I made as a prototype a year and a half ago, and I'm waiting for all the feedback from my customers to see how it can be properly adapted to fit their needs. This backpack is completely unique and has nothing to do with what is on the market today. Together with the craft workshop that we will continue to deepen and improve, we try to make the brand follow new innovative and creative ways. Therefore, we ask you to help us with this trip. Each bag purchased is a step towards our goals.
