Designer DETAIL - Catherine Manuell Design

Lovely Luggage and Heavenly Handbags – Catherine Manuell solves carousel chaos.

Black spells ‘classic’ in a lot of instances. Nothing beats the LBD, the strappy black heels, the sexy black lingerie. But luggage? Well, it can make for a confusing time at the carousel – which is exactly what Catherine Manuell thought eight years ago.

“I’ve always loved colour, so when I came to buy luggage, I never wanted a black bag, but realised that was basically all that was available,” Catherine says. “I thought it was pretty boring.”

Hence the inspiration for the collections designed for her label Catherine Manuell Designs (CMD). Forget black; think faux red croc, apple green, cranberry alligator or stripes – the options are deliciously endless.

“I never wanted to produce something that was so different it wouldn’t appeal, so I like to use clean lines and simple designs, and always make sure that the bags are very practical and functional. But I love to use colour and texture to give them a point of difference.”

From hats to CMD

Originally training and working as a teacher, Catherine started designing hats 17 years ago. After embarking on an overseas trip, she returned and worked as a freelance designer for labels such as Metalicus, Stussy Sista and Kookai before launching her own CMD brand eight years ago.

The growth of an empire

Starting off in what Catherine describes as a “very small” way, working out of her Melbourne home designing a limited range of bags and accessories, CMD has grown into quite the empire with more than 100 different products, stocked in the US, Sweden, Singapore and New Zealand, not to mention the 300 stockists in Australasia.

“I never really thought it would grow into something quite so large,” says Catherine. “I always thought, as long as I was enjoying it and it was working, then I’d stick with it.”

Catherine’s turning point

Starting a business can be a thrilling (and terrifying), but Catherine remembers the moment when she knew she was onto a good thing.

“There have been a few turning points in the business – getting my first order was pretty big! But I think I made the decision to pursue it seriously about seven years ago. I’d just given birth to my daughter and I knew that if I was going to keep the business going, I’d have to employ someone to help me. I realised that the business was able to do that, that was pretty satisfying.”

A vibrant fashion collaboration.

In an exciting development, Catherine has just released new items from a collaboration with celebrated Aboriginal artists Amy (Jirwullurr) Johnson, Evelyn Pultara and Maureen (Murrarngulu) Thompson. Together they have created a range of extraordinary looking luggage and fashion accessories that are now available at CMD stores.

The designs delight in the use of vibrant colours and inspired artwork, available in a range of luggage, travel wallets and carry on bags – everything you need for your next getaway.

For more information, visit Catherine Manuell's website www.catherinemanuelldesign.com or phone (0)3 9499 9844.