Madilyn Moore had always believed strongly in the power of design to have a direct impact on the ease and joy of living. When you put it that way, it doesn’t seem too far-fetched that an architect who specialized in healthcare facilities is now the founder of a handbag collection. The road that led her here makes a lot of sense. The latest line of handbags at 365 Collective from A Bag Concept is not only beautiful and timeless but also incredibly practical: each one is machine washable and can be styled for a trip to the market, lunch with friends or dinner dates. They are made with a blend of polyester and wool for luxurious softness and timeless durability.
Among the most popular designs from her collection sold at 365 Collective have been the Crochet Oat, the Labyrinth and the Palm Beach. “The Labyrinth is one of our timeless designs because it’s so seasonless,” says Moore. Meanwhile, the Crochet Oat and the Palm Beach have a classic summer vibe that will never go out of style. Each design is “a good buy, a good investment, and machine washable so you don’t have to worry about getting it sandy at the beach or spilling drinks on it.” The Labyrinth, Moore loves to wear with black boots year-round and the Palm Beach is her favorite for dressing up for summer date nights.
Beginnings
Moore discovered her supplier when attending an architectural design conference in London. “I stumbled upon this market, almost like a farmer’s market in the Notting Hill area, and after finding these bags, I started tinkering with them (because that’s what architects do—we tinker with things and we always have opinions) and I was so drawn to the quality,” says Moore. “I tied the knot the way we style it now and I said to my supplier, ‘You need to be styling them like this.’ She said, ‘Oh yeah! And by the way, they are machine washable.’” From that moment Moore was sold. About a month later, when changes were happening at her job, the shift in her career presented an opportunity for a change. She came up with the name A Bag Concept while on a work trip and bought the domain the minute she arrived at her hotel. Last December, she began devoting her full attention to the brand and now also sells wholesale.
Form Follows Function
“In design school, form follows function, particularly in healthcare architecture. We follow suit with our product,” says Moore. “In this case, the function is the machine-washability. That’s the value it brings to the end user, which is what I have always been so passionate about.” Her clients are busy women who want a stylish yet durable product that can keep up with their busy lifestyles. As A Bag Concept has grown and the line has expanded, she has stayed true to that mission. “A few people have asked us if we could add gold but if we do that, it’s not going to be machine washable,” says Moore. That doesn’t mean she hasn’t considered more elegant iterations. In fact, inspired by her own wedding, she has expanded the line to include a line of wedding clutches for the bride-to-be, bridesmaids and mother of the bride. Just released for fall, 365 Collective will introduce the Game Day collection: a line of her signature knotted handbags with each design being a subtle nod to your favorite college football team. The line, designed with former co-worker Ginny Batts, a professional interior designer, takes each team’s essence and colors and reimagines it in a handbag. “It’s luxury meets game day,” says Moore.
On the horizon: perhaps a line of machine washable gym bags. “Imagine the convenience of arriving home and tossing your gym bag in the washing machine with your gym clothes,” says Moore, who hopes A Bag Concept becomes a one-stop shop for all washable and stylish essential accessories.
Expanding Community
She has been selective in choosing the boutiques that sell her line, ensuring that the partnerships she forms with sellers like 365 Collective are serious and lasting. “I work with brands and business owners who see the value these bags bring to the end user and the timeless design and will put in the time and effort to educate and communicate with their customers about that,” says Moore who is excited about her partnership with women-owned and run 365 Collective. “I believe in the power of branding and there is something about y’all I really like.”
She plans to continue to grow the brand and expand the line with slow and steady growth. While that takes a lot of patience, it has also been really inspiring for her. “I love the community building aspect,” says Moore. “I like meeting customers and seeing how excited they are about the product.”
