By MELISSA DASSRATH
Dave Burgess designs bohemian-style handbags that are environmentally friendly, functional and aesthetically pleasing accessories for the hippie at heart. His handbags are available in an array of rainbow colours accented with delicate formations of tropical flowers sewn into the fabric. These rootsy handbags are ideal for carrying your sunglasses and cell phone, going to the beach or for a long drive on a lazy Sunday, or, for that matter, a clever alternative to the conventional paper gift bag.
The 40-year-old Burgess came up with the idea for the fashionable handbags while sketching. “I always sketch ideas. I was sketching a bag and I started to build on it. I mean, you cannot reinvent the wheel so this is my version of a handbag.”
He explained that the raw materials include burlap, leather, paints, rivets and a nylon string. “The burlap fabric is the base of the bag cut from a pattern. It’s not dyed but comes in a variety of colours. I used leather to trim and decorate the bag. I also create different varieties of flowers from the leather like hibiscuses, anthuriums, chrysanthemums which I then hand paint in vibrant colours and stitch to the bags. Then I run lengths of nylon rope through holes to make a pull string.”
Once he has all of the necessities in place, it’s just a matter of following the pattern and letting everything flow: “When I have all of the patterns cut out then I assemble the bags and attach the flowers. That’s where skill takes over and everything flows.” The process may be somewhat monotonous, but Burgess is pleased with the finished product.
Most of his handiwork comes out of his workshop at his parent’s house in Belmont. But from time to time he works out of his Trincity home, making use of his family’s helping hands.
Burgess has channelled 20 years of experience in arts and crafts into a creative career. He studied Non-Precious Jewelry Design at the John Donaldson Technical Institute.
“I always loved art. I started out making mostly copper jewelry. Through sketching and trial and error I experimented with it as a hobby. Eventually it became a business. I always knew that I wanted to own my own business, but I had to find my niche.”
His full-time job as an investigations clerk left little time for his other pursuits, so he resigned and continued to work on a freelance basis while focusing on his business.
His company called Burgess Exclusive Leathers produces handmade handbags, earrings, necklaces, hair clips and sandals. His intricately detailed handicrafts are sold at novelty shops across Trinidad including Apodoca at Crews Inn, Sapadilla in Trincity Mall, Geopa at the Falls of West Mall, the NEDCO store in the Piarco International Airport and the souvenir shop at the Normandie Hotel.
Burgess Exclusive Leathers also exports items to Grenada, Antigua and St Lucia. “I really love the whole Caribbean effect of bright colours and beautiful flora and fauna. But I try to create things that people can identify as indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago. To put the stamp on our own country,” Burgess said.
Burgess dreams big and hopes someday to take his business to higher heights: “I want to go as far as I can go. Eventually, I want to manufacture in a large way. I want my products to highlight Trinidad and Tobago in a positive light.”
Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/
