Kate Skinner Caidia

Caidia Design

With a strong interest in fashion, a never-say-never attitude, and an absolute love for colour, Kate Skinner launched her handbag label, Caidia, in 2007."My handbags are so much more than just bags. They offer consumers an alternative to leather that is durable, beautiful and great value."

After a lot of hard work, persistence and determination, Caidia has developed into a well-established brand that is stocked Australia wide. Prior to Caidia, Skinner did not have any design experience, and was instead equipped with a management degree, experience in owning a fashion boutique, and a wealth of knowledge gained from travelling the world after university.

Whilst managing the fashion boutique Skinner recognised a gap in themarket for well-made bags that were available in an extensive colourpalate, utilized different textures, and had a unique design about them.

Skinner has always believed that the right handbag is essential for everyoutfit, and loves the power a handbag possesses to completely transform anensemble, and bring it to life. "I chose to create a handbag label as I think itis fabulous that handbags styles aren't restricted by your body shape. Thegreat thing about handbags is you can buy a simple dress and then carryingan show stopping beautiful bag and you will look amazing."

She began designing bags with friends and family in mind, ensuring thatthere was a bag in the range to suit every lifestyle. "I always create a bag forme, a bag for my mum and a bag for a few of my friends. That way I createbags that represent a wide variety of women, each with their own needsand wants." The result of such variation is a beautiful collection of handbagsthat range in size, colour and style.

Skinner travels to China twice a year, where she works closely with anintimate team to produce her handbags. Her vision for Caidia is for it tobecome a strong brand name recognised around the world. Skinner strivesto show customers that leather isn't the only option for quality, design andcolour. Skinner's vision is more than simply a sign on the wall. She lives andbreathes it, and most importantly, believes in it.

Interview with Kate Skinner

1. Where did the idea of Caidia come from:

Kate Skinner: Handbags were always on the top of my friends wish lists when I travelled overseas and I remember the last time I travelled to America, I had this list of different types and colours of handbags my friends would love and I just couldn't find what they wanted. So this is when it dawned on me, I should bring out my own range of handbags and that is exactly what I did!


2. Why did you choose handbags?

Kate Skinner: Handbags bring you joy, they aren't restrictive like clothing and if you see a bag you like, it will look just as good on you as it does on the super (skinny) model wearing it!


3. How do you design your bags?

Kate Skinner: I spend hours and hours on my designs, starting with the runway fashion shows in Europe, then taking note of your average women on the streets of Melbourne; I watch mums trying to play around with their bags while holding onto their children, women trying to find a ringing phone in their handbag or women with arms filled with shopping bags trying to find keys. I try to bring practicality into our designs. Linings are a big deal, we try our hardest to stay away from black linings in our bags (you can't find a thing with black linings) and pockets are important, one for your keys, your phone and another for your treasures.


4. Prior to Caidia you had no design experience, was designing the harder task?

Kate Skinner: No, design is my passion, I have always designed. From a very young age I remember designing and making my own clothing, I have even made my own shoes! I never seemed to find just what I wanted, so I would make it.
I have been blessed with a creative mind.


5. What is your favorite handbag in this current range.

Kate Skinner: I have 4 favorites
· CODE 82668 Buttercup yellow shoulder bag with a gorgeous patterned lining!
· CODE E151/2 Olive green messenger bag on my busy days
· CODE 81610L Our overnight bags are fantastic, easy and have three separate areas for my "stuff"
· CODE B187/4 The mushroom swirl bag, it's over sized, soft and comfy!


6. Do you change your handbag daily to compliment your outfit?

Kate Skinner: Yes I do, not just for the colour and texture but also for the practicality of the bag


7. What separates Caidia from other handbag brands?

Kate Skinner: Passion, determination and a love for what we do!
We are small enough to still care about every single style and color produced, we are a courageous, hard working label and have a never say never attitude.
Our bags are produced from leather alternate materials. I like to show customers that leather isn't the only option for quality, design and colour.


8. How did your previous experience help to establish Caidia?

Kate Skinner: Owning a fashion boutique in the past and working in the fashion industry for many years helped me have a better understanding of how things work.

Travelling is another thing I love and I have seen many different places around the world so when I needed to travel overseas to start the business it wasn't new to me. I have spoken to so many women that are afraid to travel overseas alone, personally I love it, every bit of it!


9. What is your vision for Caidia in the future?

Kate Skinner: We hope to keep growing our wholesale business throughout Australia, New Zealand and the rest of the world.

We are also very excited to announce a new division to Caidia; Caidia party plan. We have had so many inquiries from women around Australia wanting to become a part of the Caidia team that we thought it was time to open this new and exciting division, and it is proving to be a great success.
It takes me back to the early days of Caidia, I tested this business through party plan before wholesaling our collections to stores and it was so much fun!

Now we can offer this exciting opportunity to women around Australia!


10. why do you believe Caidia has been a success?

Kate Skinner: I believe that the harder you work the luckier you get!

I have worked so incredibly hard since the beginning and I am only getting busier!

I love every bit of this business, passion drives it!

I have been told many times that "I carry courage in both hands."

You need to commit yourself to a business, push through your self-doubts and know every area of your business, if there is an area that you are unsure of, make it your priority to learn how it works.

There are no secrets to success, it's all about how committed you are and then sometimes that's not even enough, you have to be brave and ready for the ups and downs.


11. Does Caidia have a website?

Kate Skinner: YES! www.caidiadesign.com.au


12. What handbags do we expect to see in 2010?

Kate Skinner: Oh, I just love our Winter 2010 collection due out in March. It's filled with colour and classic styles from bright shopper bags to our "Waywood angels" collection that has an urban edge with loads of studs and silver hardware!

I just love this collection and can't wait to have it!


13. Do you have any tips for those who want to start their own business?

Kate Skinner: One word "Believe"

I have a constant stream of women that contact me asking this question, starting a business is hard work, be prepared for anything and everything!

This is why we have started our Party Plan division, to help women create their own business without any massive out lays!

All they need to work on is building their business and we give them a business kit to get started!