Volker Koch

Handbag designer Volker Koch is one of the finalists in the design of fashion accessories at this year’s International Talent Support (ITS). His collection ‘Sumbawanga Trail’ drew inspiration from designer’s stay on the African continent lasting several years and primal forms, such as the hand axe, the grindstone and the stele. The designer was also inspired by the findings of the late mathematician August Ferdinand Moebius.

At first glance, the handbags in this collection show great affection for nature and African culture. The pieces have been moulded and hand-stiched using vegetable-tanned leather and, although they’re not rich in details, their form is what distinguishes them from other conventional models. These bags are comfortable on the shoulder or in hand and they’re very functional. Some of them are designed so that if they were placed somewhere, they would look as unique sculptures and it would be hard to guess that they are actually accessories. This is what gives artistic value to this collection and, therefore, the designer deserves to be in the finals of this competition.

Volker Koch is German handbag designer with specific knowledge in working with exotic skins (crocodile, ostrich, snake, lizard). He worked in fashion houses in Germany and France, including the reputable Hermès. After 13 years in Africa, Koch decided to take professional development and to do an MA in Fashion Artifacts at the London College of Fashion.