What was the brand of the last luxury bag that you purchased? Now, think about the actual bag. Is it unique? Is it exquisitely made? Do you actually know the person that made it? Is the artisan from Buffalo?
When it comes to luxury leather bags, there is a local artisan who is making a name for himself.
Dame Powell, owner of “Dame” Luxury Leather Goods, got his start a few years ago when he applied his graphic design skills to screenprinting t-shirts. Before long, he began to examine the way that the t-shirts were made. He deconstructing the shirts, and then reconstructing the patterns. From there, he started playing around with the stitching in jackets.
I asked Dame how he drew inspiration, to enter into the world of fashion in the first place. He told me that when he was young, he would draw girls’ names because they liked “seeing their names in art.” His friends wanted to “get into something,” but he decided that he liked the attention from the girls, and soon realized that there was money to be made by creating things that people wanted.
“I wanted to be an artist,” Dame told me. “When I was young, I couldn’t afford to buy lunches at school. I realized that I could get paid to make art, and then treat myself to something. The girls also liked seeing their names on bags. The women in my life have always supported me. I’ve seen my male friends shot right in front of me. Not many of them are around anymore. Designing was my way to have the means to having freedom. My driving force is to be extraordinary. My talent is to attain skills quickly.”
Photos by DJ Carr
Upon realizing that he had a knack for sewing and design, Dame went out and purchased his first sewing machine for $140. His first stitched garment was a parka. Then a book bag. Soon, he found himself walking into brand name shops, looking to see how the top selling goods were made. He realized that the materials of these respected brands were often faux in nature, which he felt was not only inferior, they were bad for the planet.
“The first book bag that I made was based off a bag that I bought on the boardwalk of Santa Monica, California,” Dame told me. “I took the bag apart and put it back together. I wanted to have the knowledge. I also wanted my first bag to be in leather. I thought to myself, ‘Can I think in 3D?’ ‘Can I envision how the bag will look, how it is stitched, the shape, the colors… how it will sit?’ Once I had that epiphany, everything came easier. Now, I don’t look at clothes or bags the same way. I look at the stitching and the techniques. I began by emulating, but then I found my own patterns. I was looking for individuality, because I noticed that all of the bags in the department stores began to look the same, except for the logos. I started an exercise with my girl (Dayna Culp), to take away the labels to see which bags came from which stores… it was hard to tell.”
When Dame created his first hand stitched leather duffle bag, he immediately realized that people reacted to it differently. They would pick it up, rub their hands along it, and smell it. It was a much different nuanced experience than the way that they reacted to the bags in the department stores. Customers loved that each of Dame’s bags were subtly unique… even bespoke.
As for Dame’s reasoning that real leather is better for the planet, he told me that he makes sure that he sources his materials from post markets.
“I get the hides as a bi-product from a butcher, for example,” Dame explained. “Or post consumption. These hides would otherwise be thrown away. By handcrafting a beautiful bag, they become usable goods that will become heirlooms. My customers understand the origins and the process. It’s all about building a culture of knowledge. They know the bags, because they know me.”
Photos by Adam Kellerman at Legacy House
As for Dame’s current limited line of bags, his signature model is The Regatta purse, in green. His intention is to concentrate on the design of the bag, while releasing additional colorways in the future. Another bag that he is releasing is called The Mariner handbag, which is an ode to his mother, Melissa, who raised him in the Mariner Apartments in Allentown – the bag was designed for her. Dame hopes to produce a higher volume of this bag, as he taps into additional resources. One resource that he is looking for is a studio where he can produce the bags, while offering an educational component to other young artisans who are looking to learn a new trade.
“It’s important to give the makers an opportunity to teach others their crafts,” said Dame. “This is an old trade that is still relevant.”
Photos by @dame_digital
“I can’t do it all myself,” Dame added. “I’m still learning to grow the business and build infrastructure. The problems that we have are the problems that we want. Until recently, this was all through word of mouth and social media, but the word is getting out there more and more. I have had clients fly me to cities to hand present their bags. Locally, I have sold my bags to entrepreneurs like Chef Darian Bryan (The Plating Society). These are people that understand what it means to support local crafts people, and a person of color. I make these folks feel like they are special – I give them better customer service than the big brands. I make these bags in my home at this point. And when a customer shows up, I give them a glass of Champagne and out out a charcuterie board. Why would someone want a luxury piece made overseas by someone that they don’t know, when they can get a saddle-stitched bag that is made by hand, right here in Buffalo?”
At this point, Dame is concentrating on product creation and brand development. Dayna is heading up the marketing. Together, they are constructing bags that tell a story… a story that speaks of old world ways, driven youth, realized opportunities, impeccable craftsmanship, and a city that allows for organic growth. Shouldn’t every purchase that we make be accompanied by such a genuine story?
Get connected: DAME | dame@dameave.com | (716) 218-3639 | Instagram
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