Custom craftsmanship Katya Komarova is the Russian-born beauty that brings off-duty Parisian style to chic leather goods; the award-winning designer and face behind the luxury, sustainable brand that bears her name. Created with the modern woman in mind who desires her own unique style, what sets Katya’s self-titled label apart is its ability to completely personalise each item with interchangeable handles, colours and accents. From coveted micro-bags to bucket-style, belted dual-compartment statement pieces and more, the collection features a variation of colours, straps and handles so customers can mix-and-match, enabling them to create different looks every day. Born and raised in Russia, Katya graduated from Moscow State University of Culture and Arts with a degree in acting then went on to fulfil her childhood dream of becoming a model, beginning her career in fashion. During her global travels, she visited Thailand in 2010, where she met a local artisan who taught her to work with leather. When she returned home to Russia, she crafted a number of leather bags and posted pictures of these bags on Facebook. To her surprise, she started to receive orders. But it was only when a designer friend of hers used her bags in his runway during a fashion week that she realised this is what she wanted to do.
In 2011, Katya established her first label by Mosquito creating handmade leather bags and accessories. Wanting to further her knowledge and experience, she studied bag design in Florence, Italy at Accademia Riaci and only a few months later, she presented her first collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia. In 2013, Katya relocated to Australia for love. She launched her namesake label in 2014 presenting limited edition capsule collections. Today, the Katya Komarova brand is focussed on minimal, feminine, versatile leather goods of the utmost quality. Katya Komarova exists ethically and sustainably, producing limited quantities and using natural materials that are stitch-free, enabling every piece of leather to be reused, if needed. Leather is sourced from an Adelaide-based supplier who buys Italian leather. All Katya Komarova bags and accessories are made of vegetabletanned leather which prepares the material in the most natural way using ingredients such as bark mills, woods, roots, leaves and fruits. Katya Komarova mindfully manufactures in Sydney and works with local suppliers who laser-cut pieces to be assembled by hand. Prices range between $150 and $489. Handles and straps are $40 when purchased with a bag. More at KatyaKomarova.com
AUTUMN 2020 / 21
