Italy Design Competition Winner: Astrid Heisterberg
Meet Astrid Heisterberg this years first place footwear winner in the 2020/21 Italy Student Design Competition.
All leather jackets are individual, but some leather jackets might just be more individual than others. Let us introduce By The Namesake.
Every one of their jackets is made by hand in their Toronto Atelier. Many are customised and all of them ready to earn the signs of the life of their wearers. Every stretch, scar or fold is different – unique to the owner.
Careful to select just the finest, most sustainable leather, By The Namesake offer a superb online customising service. Start by choosing the base style of jacket, then select the colour of the zips, snaps, buckles and eyelets. Next choose the lining by weight and colour (or pattern, if you dare to go for leopard or snakeskin effect). Additions including inside pockets, back yolk lace-ups or zips and fringing are also available. All that remains is to choose a monogram and even a custom painted design, and your unique leather jacket is ready for crafting.
Jackets may be the mainstay of the business, but if you a want to go total By The Namesake, there is also a selection of trousers and accessories.
By The Namesake was established by 28-year-old Rosa Halpern. She studied fashion at the Art Institute of Chicago but fell into leather design and crafting by accident. After college she was working as a store manager at a Toronto boutique when a friend asked her to make her a leather jacket. She did such a good job that before long she had a waiting list for 20 more. That was just five years ago! Having identified a gap in the bespoke leather market, she launched By The Namesake in 2016.
Rosa’s rise has been truly meteoric. Influencers including Paola Alberdi and Danielle Bernstein, not to mention rap superstar Lil’ Kim, have been spotted sporting By The Namesake jackets.
But it all comes back to the leather. There are 30 different weights, colours and finishes to choose from and because By The Namesake does not overstock there is almost no waste. Rosa says: “We are trying to produce clothing as consciously as possible”.
Even leather bought straight from the rack achieves individuality when it’s been worn for a while. But why not go one step further and go fully custom? As Rosa says: “At By The Namesake, we are not off-the-rack-women”.
Check them out at ByTheNamesake.com
The unique process of creating your bespoke leather jacket via their website demonstrated below:
Meet Astrid Heisterberg this years first place footwear winner in the 2020/21 Italy Student Design Competition.
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