m2malletier

M2Malletier was founded in 2012 by designers Melissa Losada and Marcela Velez. The two met while studying fashion design at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City in the mid 2000s. Both designers have Colombian roots which heavily influence the avant garde shapes and subtle structural elements that define the M2Malletier aesthetic.

After graduating Parsons and going separate ways briefly, Losada and Velez reconnected in Paris in 2010. They saw a need in the market for minimalist luxury handbags that felt fresh and modern. Over coffee, they officially decided to partner and launch their own accessories label rooted in clean lines and sleek finishes.

The brand is best known for its signature needle handle, an unprecedented design inspired by medieval medical tools. While browsing a Paris flea market, Losada and Velez came across beautiful illustrated books of medieval armor and surgical equipment. One drawing in particular of an ornate needle inspired them to try and translate this into a functional bag handle.

After initial sketches and prototyping, they collaborated with a metal engineer to develop the final needle handle design - a brass needle flanked by two metal supports for stability. The handle became an iconic part of M2Malletier's first collection and required extensive testing to perfect the gold plating for durability.

Losada and Velez work out of a dramatic former cement factory in Barcelona that was converted into a creative space by renowned Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill, Melissa's father-in-law. The surreal, minimalist space filled with soaring architecture clearly influences their pared-down aesthetic.

Their bags quickly garnered attention when launched in 2012, helped by early adoption by celebrity fans like Kate Bosworth. Theunexpected designs and refined craftsmanship made them instant favorites of fashion insiders and front row regulars.

In subsequent collections, Losada and Velez have continued to innovate with new colors, materials like exotic skins and velvet, and silhouettes like backpack and clutch options. But signature elements like the polished needle handle are always included.

Recent inspirations have spanned from Melbourne sculpture to Timbuktu architecture to Italian cinema. The Spring 2016 collection featured pastel snakeskins and soft shades inspired by Japanese flowers and beach photography. Fall/Winter 2016 was heavily influenced by Losada's travels to Ethiopia, with tribal patterns and textures.