“This collaboration has allowed me to achieve that vision by elevating my bags to the level of art.”

Lessebo Paper and celebrated artist Susan Szatmáry present Blossom. This collaboration is a celebration of the transformative power of creativity, where Susan and Lessebo Paper’s collaboration has given rise to an extraordinary collection of handmade paper bags.

The Blossom collection is a tribute to the beauty of spring, where new life emerges from the barrenness of winter. Susan’s craftsmanship, honed over years of experience, is show-cased in each bag as she transforms sheets from the Lessebo Colours series into stunning pieces of art. The unique blend of traditional techniques and innovative design results in a collection of bags that is both elegant and contemporary.

Despite not having an artistic background, my fascination with fashion persisted. In the early 2000s, I began crafting bracelets and bags using natural leather, which I sold in artistic stores across Stockholm. Later, I pursued a master’s course in accessories at Rome’s Istituto Europeo di Design. Graduating at the top of my class, I was introduced by the headmaster to an individual who needed an assistant. This person happened to work at Alexander McQueen, and that marked the true beginning of my fashion career.

At McQueen, we created bags and shoes, working on twelve collections per year. The nights were often long, and the work was demanding, but it served as the best training ground. It felt like the right fit, and it was there that I learned the dynamics of working in a creative team and translating ideas onto paper, ultimately sketching them in three dimensions.

Following my time at McQueen, I spent a few years in Paris, working at renowned fashion houses such as Céline, Elie Saab, and Paco Rabanne. In 2013, while still residing in Paris, I received an opportunity to design a bag and shoe collection under my own name for & Other Stories. It added more flavour to my journey, and when I eventually returned to Sweden two years later, I had made the decision to establish my own brand under my name. It took a few years for my mood boards in Paris to materialise into the first collection of bags, which I presented in Paris in 2018. Vogue US was the first to write about the collection, which I named Valisette.

It seems that you are very hands on, how is it working with paper?

Paper has always been an integral part of my creative process. I start by conceptualising designs on paper, which provides me with a tangible representation of my ideas before moving on to the production phase. It’s a natural step in the creative process for me to begin constructing the bag using paper before seeing the first sample in leather. In Italian, this technique is called “salpa in cartoncino.” I always employ this method when designing new bags to explore shapes and sizes before creating the technical sketches. It also helps me better understand my own designs before sending them to the factory. Working with paper offers limitless possibilities. Observing a two-dimensional sheet transform into a three-dimensional masterpiece or work of art is truly captivating.

Has there been anything that was a surprise to you working with paper?

This realisation is not ground-breaking, but rather a reminder of how paper is a versatile medium with endless creative potential. Witnessing a plain sheet of paper undergo a metamorphosis into a constructed bag while maintaining the same details and hardware is truly awe-inspiring. The challenge lies in achieving the same result as with a leather product. Working with paper also offers a special chance for me to exhibit my designs in a fresh light, incorporating colours I haven’t previously explored for my bags, such as vibrant pink and serene sky blue.