In The Bag: Q&A with Lucy-Anne Matthews

INTERVIEWED BY Steve Smith

The LUCY Bag, designed by Lucy-Anne Matthews, makes a bold minimalistic statement. We caught up with Lucy to find out more about her approach to design and the inspiration behind the unique bag.

Lucy-Anne Matthews’ creative journey spans 27 years across the branding and advertising industry. She has dedicated her career to exploring the intersection of functionality and aesthetics. Her foray into product design with the LUCY Bag is another accomplishment as a versatile creative.

Give us the back story behind the bag.

I have lived and worked in many countries over the last two decades, travelled through more than 60 airports, and have always been searching for a functional handbag. A bag different from the typical square shape that fitted A LOT inside, was beyond beautiful, soft, feminine, with curves, and of course, fabulously attention-grabbing! I couldn’t find it anywhere, so I designed my own.

I designed a bag based on who I am and what I have to say. I created a sculptured piece that evokes an unassuming softness, reflective of my journey over the last decade. The LUCY bag is rooted in
Brutalism, designed with a circular aesthetic, has a large capacity, is functional and has a devout commitment to femininity and softness. 

Talk us through its journey from that inspiration to prototype to final production.

The development process took almost two years. We created many prototypes in Cape Town with local artisans in pursuit of the perfect dimensions, shape, softness, and the way it folds and stands proudly. Once we achieved the right design, we collaborated with an experienced product development company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, the Crease Group, to prototype the bag, develop the custom branded metal rings, magnetic closures, materials selection & treatment and the customised hardware to make the perfect bag. It was a long and torrid journey with setbacks, but it’s here and I am so proud!

What colourways is it available in, and are you looking to expand the range?

The LUCY bag is currently available in Metallic Black and Metallic Silver, based on European FW24 trends. We plan to extend our colour range to a more Classic Range this year for SS24 | 25.

Where is it made?

The LUCY bag was conceptualised in Geneva and designed in Cape Town. As the LUCY bag has so many bespoke customised elements that had to be developed and sourced from different manufacturers, the production was consolidated in Hong Kong. 

What’s your vision for the Lucy brand?

The name “Lucy” symbolises a person who brings light and illumination into the lives of others. Lucy manifests warmth and guidance in the world around us. 

We created the LUCY bag as a reminder that it’s a joy to bring light into the spheres of all those around you. To infuse kindness and diligence into every small act of being. To live with a big, open and gentle heart.

LUCY is an affordable luxury fashion brand that will, in the future, include bags, fashion accessories, clothing, apparel, sneakers and related items. We are already busy designing a SS24/25 LUCY brand range, starting with accessories for the LUCY bag… all under wraps for now… but very exciting!

We are shipping internationally. We are based in Cape Town and Lisbon. | lucybag.design

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