Today I would like to present you Anita Loncar.
Anita is a popular brand owner, director of operation and product designer from Belgrade, Serbia. She creates bags, purses, wallets, and belts at niné, and is exquisitely good at it. Anita is also a very good friend of mine; I’ve known her since the age of 7 and collaborated with her on many occasions.
This winter we had a great opportunity to do a collab photoshoot in Serbia and I am happy to share some of my favorites with you today.
But, before that I would like you to hear more about her brand and how it all started…
Anita, thank you for sharing your story with my readers. So, let’s start at the beginning…When was the first time you realized that you want to design fashion bags and accessories?
First of all, thank you Maria and RedHeadCreativeStudio for the opportunity to present my work.
My first fascination with a women purse happened when I was a little girl, and my Grandmother inspired it. She had this little black purse with a small metal button, and I always watched with admiration how that little button would click when she opened it. When grandma was not watching I would take her purse and while looking myself in a mirror I would hold its short handles in my hand or over my arm and enjoyed feeling elegant and feminine.
Then, after many years something interesting happened that prompted me to start designing my own bags. Specifically, I went to a bag making shop because one strap of my favorite bag was broken and I wanted it repaired. There, I met a skillful craftsman who repaired my purse and was very patient in answering many of my questions about the bag making process. At that moment, I made the decision that I wanted to be a bag designer so that I could make the most beautiful purses for myself and others. For me, the bag adorns every outfit, completes it and gives it a special glow. Good construction and sophisticated fabric can make it a small piece of art.
When it comes to inspiration…Who’s work inspires you? Do you have any favorite brand designers whose work you follow?
I often find inspiration in nature and its perfect shapes. My latest bag model “Lalita” is inspired by a tulip petal. Architecture and painting are inexhaustible source of inspiration, as well as the fabrics I use in the bag making process. Their texture and colors instantly give me an idea of what I can make of it. When it comes to inspiring people, I find Coco Chanel to be a synonymous of elegance, Tom Ford the most inspiring pattern maker, and when it comes to innovation, I prefer a shoe Designer Edgardo Osorio and Aquazzura. I also have to mention one of the greatest graphic designers in our region, whose work I sincerely admire, a Professor at the Academy of Applied Arts in Belgrade, Slavimir Stojanovic – Futro. He is a multi-talented artist who is also a writer in addition to being a graphic designer.
Now, tell us more about your brand, and how did you come up with the name “niné”?
niné is a fashion brand of handmade luxury bags, made with great care. Its audience are women with attitude, those who accept and love themselves, and their femininity.
My childhood friend Marijana called me Niné, which sounded so sophisticated and French that I instantly fell in love with it. And that’s how the niné brand was created.
Please, tell us more about your work, what are you most proud of?
First of all, I am proud of myself for listening to my intuition and following my dreams. When it comes to my work, I am most proud of the “Budislava” bag and its successor “Mini Budislava“, as well as the most recent model “Lalita“. Thanks to a wonderful team of people, all my sketches and patterns are successfully turned into bags.
When it comes to current work, what are you currently focused on?
I am currently working on a new bag model. It is a crossbody bag, and it will soon be presented to a wide audience.
I hope you found Anita’s story as inspiring as I did. Please, enjoy the gallery and do not forget to believe in yourself and follow your dreams.
Yours,
Maria
p.s. click on a photo to see it in full resolution
