A conversation with Miranda Kaloudis
A conversation with Miranda Kaloudis
When we stepped into Miranda Kaloudis showroom in Paris it felt like entering a living archive. The Zurich-based designer, with Greek roots, walked us through a decade of her creations. Every bag here tells a story, not just of form and craftsmanship, but of a pursuit of product development.
Miranda never intended to become a bag designer. "I studied fashion design, but I never made a single bag during my studies," she confesses. Yet, an early fascination with creating function through making hybrid products, such as jackets that transformed into bags, set her on a path of exploring bags. A pivotal moment came when she copied a simple cotton shopper bag in leather and improved its functionality. It was an experiment that resonated with people. "I realized I could design fashion through a product-oriented lens," she says. That pragmatic realization became the foundation of her label.
Her work is an evolving conversation between minimalism and utility. Her first design, the Tesris backpack, embodies her early ethos: functional minimalism for urban nomads. The design philosophy remains intact, but the execution has matured. "In the beginning, I was exploring construction. I didn’t even know leather crafting, so I had to teach myself," she recalls. That hands-on approach, the necessity to learn, became part of her DNA.
The Architecture of Utility
Kaloudis’ bags balance artisanal construction with playfully integrated functionality. Laptop compartments, hidden pockets, modular straps are all featured in her bags, where every detail is deliberate. "It's not just about how it looks, but how it works," she emphasizes. This meticulous approach is perhaps a reflection of her Swiss environment, where precision is ingrained in the culture.
Her career has evolved in phases. In her twenties, she leaned into the avant-garde, collaborating with brands like Army of Me. As she moved into her thirties, her focus shifted: "I wanted to create pieces that had a deeper sense of permanence. Crafting objects that are more timeless and tell a story." That shift is apparent in her collections, which now embrace historical narratives.
Knitting Leather, Weaving Stories
The knitted leather series is her most innovative project, something we had not seen before. It’s a fusion of craftsmanship and conceptual design, where each bag is crafted from a single, continuous leather cord, which can sometimes be up to 100 meters long and is all knitted by hand. "I couldn’t believe that nobody had done this before," she says. The process of knitting leather is both precise and labor-intensive, it is a technique she developed with an artisan in Bosnia. "It requires a bit of madness to execute," she mentioned. As a result you’ll get a leather bag that is as sculptural as it is functional, soft yet structured, ancient in technique yet utterly contemporary.
Bosnia is an integral part of her production. She speaks warmly of the artisans she works with, emphasizing their skill and dedication. "Producing in Bosnia doesn’t have the cachet of 'Made in Italy,' but the craftsmanship is exceptional. I want people to understand that high-quality production exists beyond the traditional luxury hubs."
Echoes of the Past, Visions of the Future
Her latest collection, Nostoi, is a meditation on homecoming and reflection, inspired by the Greek epic of the same name. "It’s my ten-year anniversary, and I wanted to look back while moving forward," she explains. That duality is evident in her pieces, metal closures salvaged from defunct Yugoslavian factories, and references to historical travel luggage. "I’m drawn to objects that tell stories," she says. "Vintage military bags, old Swiss workwear—I collect them, study them, and reinterpret them."
A very interesting piece within her current collection is a structured travel bag created out of strong horse leather with a detachable shoe compartment. Inspired by antique suitcases yet reimagined for modern utility, it epitomizes her philosophy: an object with soul, history, and purpose. "I tested an actual vintage suitcase on a trip. It was beautiful, but it hurt my legs while carrying it. So, I had to rethink the design," she says.
Beyond the Bag
Beyond craftsmanship and history, Kaloudis is deeply invested in storytelling. "I love film, music, and narrative structures. That’s what draws me to design, it’s a way of storytelling through objects," she reflects. Her brand’s campaigns are richly cinematic, evoking a world beyond just fashion. "I want my work to resonate emotionally, not just functionally."
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