Need anything? We're here to help! Chat_closed_icon chat with me
This content requires Adobe Flash.
Download the free Flash Player now!
Get_flash_player
My Tobi   |   Order Status   |   Sign Up
Shopping_bag  Your bag is empty  Checkout
January 21, 2008
Posted at 06:26PM

Helen in New York

Helena de Natalio handbags Helena de Natalio handbags Helena de Natalio handbags

I’m finally back from New York and so happy to be home. The New York show went great. It was my first time doing an ENK show and it was definitely a good place for me to be. I met buyers from all over the U.S., picked up some great new accounts, and got really excited about my Spring/Summer collection.

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in New York! Booth at ENK show with Magy bag in black From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in New York! Magy bag in black Helena de Natalio Magy bag in black Helena de Natalio handbagsHelena de Natalio Magy bag in black Helena de Natalio handbags

My sales rep talked me into adding some last minute summer totes into the collection, so keep your eyes open for those. I’m working on light-colored bodies with python handles in contrasting colors. I also found that my new Dulce Clutch did really well so I am going to develop it in a few more colorways. That’s the great thing about these shows, they give you perspective, and you get to see what everyone else is doing and how to improve your collection.

The pictures I am including are of my booth when I arrived and the end result. Keep in mind that I touched down in San Francisco from Japan and 48 hours later I was on a red eye to New York. I spent my 2 days in S.F. running to hardware stores buying wallpaper (which, I’d like to note, is very hard to find these days), fishing wire, and vintage-inspired hooks. Somehow I managed to pull it together, only having to pay one overweight suitcase fine, and made it to New York in one piece, with all my samples and the 7 rolls of wallpaper.

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in New York! Setting up Helena de Natalio booth at ENK show Helena de Natalio handbags


From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in New York!From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in New York! Helena de Natalio handbags

January 15, 2008
Posted at 03:30PM

Helen in Japan

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! Helena De Natalio handbags Helena De Natalio handbags Helena De Natalio handbags
Just got back from Japan and am currently in New York at the ENK Accessories Circuit show presenting my spring and summer collection, but more on NYC in my next entry.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! With Nate at Nikko Shrine

Japan was fantastic. We went for my brother’s wedding and stayed for 2 weeks traveling around the country on the Shinkansen (the famous bullet train). We went to Nikko, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. Thankfully, my new Japanese sister-in-law took us all around, translated menus and helped us get on the right trains at the right time. It could not have been more different than traveling in South America. It was so safe and efficient it felt like a glimpse into the future. The fashion, especially in Tokyo, just blew my mind! 

I love Tokyo! It’s huge, and I got lost trying to find the boutique district and ended up in Prada. The man bags are what stood out the most. I knew Tokyo was known for being extremely fashion-forward but seeing guys with real man bags blew my mind.

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! Quote: The fish market in Tokyo was awesome... I love sushi and was so excited to eat a lot of it in Japan.

 

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! Tokyo fish market
The Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo was awesome. I love sushi but all that fish at 5am was a lot to stomach. I love sushi and was so excited to eat a lot of it in Japan. Oddly enough, my favorite sushi ended up being the one-dollar conveyor belt sushi, which does not have the best reputation.

 

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! Piles of sake at Nikko From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan!

There is so much more I could write about Japan. The shrines, architecture and bath houses were all so impressive and unlike anything I have seen while traveling in South America or Europe.

But that’s enough for now, I have to pack my bags and get back to San Francisco.

- Helen Hoppock of Helena De Natalio

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock in Japan! 3 famous monkeys at Nikko shrine
January 07, 2008
Posted at 05:00PM

Helen Hoppock of Helena De Natalio

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What did you do before going into handbag design?
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A

I worked in the Peace Corps in Paraguay for two years as a business development volunteer.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: Where'd the name Helena De Natalio come from?

Natalio is the name of the town I lived in Paraguay. I used to go by Helena (pronounced Elena) but there are a lot of women named Elena so my friends from other towns started calling me Helena de Natalio and it stuck. When it came time to name my handbag line it was too appropriate to pass up.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Quote: From the it became a love affair; I became inspired and loved how people used fashion as a form of expression. From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What sparked your interest in South America?
I ended up in South America because I wanted to work as a Peace Corps Business Consultant in a Spanish-speaking country and they assigned me to Paraguay. From there it became a love affair; I met my husband (from Seattle) in Paraguay, became inspired by local crafts and women’s groups in Paraguay (where I learned to sew) and loved how people use fashion as a form of expression in Argentina. I ended up living in South America for 4 years and still go back every 3-4 months to design, find new leathers and check in with my production facilities.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question - Who is your biggest inspiration?
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
I’d have to say my husband keeps me motivated and committed to not accepting the status quo and fulfilling my dream. But, I’d say that experiencing other cultures is my biggest inspiration. I love visiting other countries, where people are not afraid to try new things, and I always find inspiration walking down the streets of South America. It is a stark contrast from the environment I grew up in where people strive to drive the same car and wear the same clothes. I find that traveling helps me think outside the box and increases my creativity.
 From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Atada handbag in eggplant, Ella clutch in gold

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What sets Helena De Natalio apart from other handbag lines? From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Photo of Helen with production team in Argentina.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
Our socially responsible production, the buttery soft leathers we use, and the handmade detailing are our signature elements not found on mass-produced bags. My number one priority when producing HDN bags is that the work helps Argentinean artisans. It is remarkably difficult to find production facilities that operate legally in South America but I have worked hard to find those places that pay fair wages, and provide benefits and healthy working conditions.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Photo of Helen buying leather. From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What are the biggest hurdles in running a socially responsible luxury brand?
Because I work with artisans and all production is done in South America, I find that they are not on my “American” time schedule. I’ve learned to stretch the truth when it comes to production deadlines in Argentina so that I make my commitments in the U.S.
 From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: Describe the Helena De Natalio customer, and which bag can she absolutely not live without? Helena De Natalio Magy handbag in dark teal

I find that the Helena de Natalio customer shops in boutiques, loves fashion, and cares about where their purchases come from. At the moment, the Leti Bag is a definite must-have. It is classic, multifunctional and its buttery soft leather just gets softer with use.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: Do you plan on expanding your collection to go beyond handbags?

Not at the moment. I’ve learned my lesson. When I first started, a Spanish girlfriend and I began a small clothing line on the side and it was way too time consuming.

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What are some of the brands you admire?

I love Isabella Fiore. I respect their design style, textures and leather colors.

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Helena De Natalio Ella clutch, Atada handbag, Nena handbag, Leti hangbag
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Stay Tuned! Helen Hoppock blogs on Tobi. From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What's your favorite South American Dish, and where do you go when you get the craving while back in the Bay Area?
In Argentina there is a lot of Italian influence, and it’s known for red meat and wine. These days I’m not so into eating out, but I love to cook so I frequently bring back my favorite olive oil from Mendoza, Argentina and Uxmal Malbec wine to enjoy with friends.
 From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
Helena De Natalio Atada handbag in eggplant Helena De Natalio Ella clutch in gold Helena De Natalio Helena De Natalio Helena De Natalio Ella clutch in black Helena De Natalio Atada handbag in tan Helena De Natalio Nena handbag in chocolate Helena De Natalio Leti handbag in ruby red Helena De Natalio Helena De Natalio Helena De Natalio Helean De Natalio Magy in dark teal