Have you ever wondered how our accessories come to life? In this behind-the-scenes look, we'll take you through the entire journey of a ClashCGG piece—from the initial spark of inspiration to the moment it's carefully packaged and sent to its new home.
Phase 1: Inspiration and Conceptualization
Every ClashCGG piece begins with inspiration. This could come from anywhere—natural patterns observed during a forest walk, architectural details from historic buildings, cultural motifs from our travels, or even the unique qualities of a new material we've discovered.
Our design team maintains inspiration journals filled with sketches, photographs, material samples, and notes. During our seasonal planning sessions, we review these collections of ideas and identify themes and concepts that resonate with our brand ethos and the upcoming season.
The Design Brief
Once we've identified a promising concept, we develop a design brief that outlines:
- The core inspiration and mood
- Functional requirements and user needs
- Potential materials and techniques
- Preliminary color palette
- Target price point and production considerations
This brief serves as our North Star throughout the development process, helping ensure that the final piece remains true to the original vision while meeting practical requirements.
Phase 2: Sketching and Refinement
With the brief in hand, our designers begin sketching. We start with loose, exploratory drawings that capture the essence of the concept, gradually refining them into more detailed renderings that consider proportion, structure, and details.
This phase involves multiple iterations and feedback sessions. Our design team collaborates closely, offering constructive critiques and suggestions that help evolve the concept. We also consult with our master craftspeople, who provide valuable input on technical feasibility and manufacturing considerations.
Digital Modeling
For more complex pieces, we may create digital 3D models that allow us to visualize the design from all angles and make precise adjustments to proportions and details. These models help us identify potential issues before investing in physical prototypes.
Phase 3: Material Selection and Sourcing
The materials we choose are fundamental to the quality, aesthetics, and sustainability of our pieces. Once the design concept is solidified, we begin the careful process of material selection.
For leather goods, this means examining hides for quality, texture, and natural markings. For textile pieces, we consider weave, weight, drape, and durability. Hardware elements like clasps, buckles, and decorative components are selected for both functionality and visual harmony with the overall design.
Our commitment to sustainability guides this process. We prioritize:
- Natural, renewable materials
- Ethically sourced components
- Suppliers with transparent practices
- Low-impact production methods
- Materials that age beautifully and promote longevity
Phase 4: Pattern Making
Once the design and materials are finalized, our pattern makers translate the concept into precise templates that will guide the cutting and assembly process. This is a critical step that requires both technical expertise and spatial reasoning.
For a new bag design, for example, the pattern maker must consider:
- How flat pieces will come together to create a three-dimensional form
- How to maximize material usage while respecting grain lines and natural features
- Allowances for seams, folds, and hardware attachment
- How the piece will be constructed and in what sequence
Initial patterns are created in paper and adjusted as needed before being transferred to more durable materials for production use.
Phase 5: Prototyping
The first physical manifestation of a new design comes in the form of a prototype. Using the patterns and selected materials, our craftspeople create a complete version of the piece, following the proposed construction methods.
This prototype undergoes rigorous evaluation:
- Aesthetic assessment: Does it capture the intended design vision?
- Functional testing: Does it perform its intended purpose effectively?
- Usability testing: Is it comfortable and intuitive to use?
- Durability testing: Will it withstand regular use over time?
- Production assessment: Can it be crafted efficiently without compromising quality?
Based on this evaluation, we make necessary adjustments and create revised prototypes until we're satisfied that the design meets our standards in every respect.
Phase 6: Production Planning
With the design finalized and prototypes approved, we plan the production process in detail. This involves:
- Creating comprehensive construction guides for our artisans
- Ordering materials in appropriate quantities
- Preparing specialized tools or jigs if needed
- Establishing quality control checkpoints
- Setting production timelines
As a small-batch producer, we can be flexible with our production runs, often creating limited editions that allow us to experiment with special techniques or rare materials while maintaining our core commitment to quality.
Phase 7: Crafting
Now comes the heart of our process—the actual crafting of each piece. This is where the skill and dedication of our artisans truly shine.
The crafting process typically follows these stages:
- Material preparation: Cutting, skiving (thinning edges), and preparing components
- Assembly: Bringing components together through stitching, gluing, or other joining methods
- Hardware installation: Adding functional and decorative metal elements
- Edge finishing: Carefully finishing edges for durability and aesthetics
- Surface treatment: Applying protective finishes while enhancing natural beauty
Throughout this process, our craftspeople make countless micro-decisions that affect the final piece. They adapt to the unique characteristics of natural materials, make subtle adjustments to ensure perfect alignment, and add the small touches that elevate a well-made product to an exceptional one.
Phase 8: Quality Control
Once crafting is complete, each piece undergoes thorough quality control inspection. Our quality standards are exacting—we check every stitch, seam, edge, and surface for perfection.
We assess:
- Structural integrity and durability
- Consistency and precision of craftsmanship
- Functionality of all components
- Aesthetic quality and finish
- Alignment with the original design intent
Only pieces that meet our standards in every respect receive the ClashCGG mark and proceed to the final stage.
Phase 9: Finishing Touches and Packaging
The journey is almost complete. Approved pieces receive their final preparations:
- A final cleaning and conditioning
- Our discreet maker's mark, a symbol of authenticity and quality
- Care instructions and product information
- Sustainable, protective packaging that reflects the value of the piece within
We believe that unboxing a ClashCGG piece should be a special experience, so we pay careful attention to our packaging—using recycled and recyclable materials that protect the product while minimizing environmental impact.
The Journey Continues
When a ClashCGG piece leaves our workshop, its journey is just beginning. In the hands of its new owner, it will develop a patina unique to its use, telling the story of the places it goes and the moments it witnesses.
We design our pieces to age beautifully, gaining character rather than deteriorating over time. And we provide care guidance to help our customers maintain their accessories for years to come.
Our relationship with our pieces doesn't end with the sale. We offer repair services and welcome stories and photos from customers about how their ClashCGG accessories have become part of their lives. These stories often inspire new designs, continuing the creative cycle.
The Value of Process
This journey—from concept to creation to cherished possession—represents what makes handcrafted accessories special. Each step involves human judgment, skill, and care that simply cannot be replicated in mass production.
When you choose a ClashCGG piece, you're not just acquiring an object; you're becoming part of a story that includes the inspiration that sparked the design, the hands that crafted it, and all the moments it will accompany you through in the years to come.
We believe this process—thoughtful, deliberate, and personal—creates accessories worth investing in, worth caring for, and worth passing down. In a world of disposable goods, we're proud to create pieces with lasting value and meaning.