by L'Exception, on November 23, 2022
Marie Martens, the founder of the eponymous leather goods company, talked to us about the philosophy of her brand, her "BOOBS" collection and her eco-responsible and ethical commitments. This interview is an opportunity to discover the sparkling personality behind this brand that makes leather goods more fun, more quircky, but still chic.
L'Exception:
Would you please introduce yourself?
Marie: My name is Marie Martens, like the leather goods brand I created in 2014, as a happy, colorful and feel good handbag brand for women.
Martens, it's a Belgian name, but the brand is Parisian, isn't it?
Marie: Absolutely, I am Belgian, of Flemish origin, from the city of Ghent. It's a Parisian brand because I've been living in Paris for almost 20 years. I work here, I founded the brand while living in Paris. But the brand obviously has an influence towards Belgium.
What is the philosophy of the brand?
Marie: I first wanted to create handbags that I liked. One of the most important aspects for me is that they are functional, easy to wear. I created the hashtag #nomoreboringbags. I was looking for bags that are fun to wear, colorful, happy bags. I always say my mission is accomplished when the woman who carries my handbag has a smile on her face!
You carry one of the iconic designs which is the fanny pack, can you tell us more about it?
Marie: Absolutely, I carry the "Coachella" fanny bag that I created in 2015. It started from my mission to also bring back old styles to the present day, to make them more fun, a little more modern, but that they still remain chic and of good quality. It's a bag that you can wear to the Coachella festival but also to work, to go out...
You really have a special sense of color, pink is your favorite color?
Marie:Yes, Marie Martens it's a brand of bags that advocates for color. Pink in particular is a color I've loved since I was a little girl, without really having been a barbie girl.But pink, in all its shades, from nude to neon pink, through coral pink, it's a color that can be found in fashion, art, decor... It's a color that gives a touch of pizazz, that can surprise and that's also what I love: surprising my customers with my collections that have this touch of boldness.
Today you present the "BOOBS" collection which is a very particular collection at Marie Martens. Can you explain the principle to us?
Marie: It all started at the beginning of the creation of the brand. I was asked to create a small leather goods line as well. I was less thrilled because small leather goods - it's often a small purse or card holder - I find it a bit boring. But a card holder is something very corporate. So why not create a card holder that will break the ice when I pull out my business cards? So indeed, it's a form of boobs. And it has a nice little effect! It's a symbol of femininity and it's also a solidarity product, since we donate 10 e for the entire BOOBS range throughout the year to associations fighting against breast cancer, including Ruban Rose in France and Think Pink in Belgium.
Can you tell us more about Marie Martens' eco-responsible approach?
Marie: The eco-responsible approach has been part of my values since the beginning of the brand, where I have always promoted the short circuit: we source our raw materials in France, often in Italy. It even goes beyond the leather goods: there is the packaging, the lining of the bags.The lining and the straps of my bags are made in Italy or somewhere else in Europe. You don't have to go very far to look for quality and nice products.
What are the new projects for the brand?
Marie: One of the latest projects is "Eau de Feel Good", I wanted to create the signature scent of the Marie Martens brand. I couldn't think of a better name because it says it all, both in the brand name but also in the scent. It is a splash of freshness, of happiness, it is a "cuddly" eau de parfum. It's reminiscent of baby perfumes, but I say today it's also for moms, myself having recently become a mom. It's part of the concept of perfumed leather goods: I designed a small ceramic cookie made in Limoges; it's a diffuser with which you can diffuse the perfume on the cookie, which you will insert inside the handbag. It diffuses inside and it's a feel good aspect when you open your handbag, take out your mask, your handkerchief or your business cards which will be subtly perfumed. It's a little extra!
Marie Martens' "BOOBS" collection was at L'Exception for Pink October month.
What is the profile of the Marie Martens customer?
Marie: On the one hand, she's hard to pin down, but on the other hand - and this is my great joy - she's a customer of all ages. It's an intergenerational product. We reach a customer who is a young girl of sixteen or eighteen, who asks for her first handbag. But there are also girls of my age, thirty, forty, fifty. There is also the trendy granny who precisely does not want a bag that is too boring, too classic and who wants a little twist, whether it is with the fluorescent zip, with the metallic materials, or a print.
There is this very impertinent side to the brand, can you tell us more about it?
Marie: This little side of impertinence, it is perhaps my Belgian side. You should never take yourself too seriously (even though I take my brand seriously!). There is a touch of humor, which is part of the DNA of the brand, it's one of our major values. It's a handbag, it's not going to dress a woman but rather define her style. You have to dare, assume, and say: "yes, I wear a fanny pack. Yes, ten years ago it was tacky, but today it's so practical, fun, colorful, and I love it !" You have to try, you have to dare, and since at Marie Martens we advocate pink, I'd even say you have to pink up!"
Discover the Marie Martens collection as well as the "BOOBS" range online at L'Exception
This interview is also available on video here.
L'Exception:
Would you please introduce yourself?
Marie: My name is Marie Martens, like the leather goods brand I created in 2014, as a happy, colorful and feel good handbag brand for women.
Martens, it's a Belgian name, but the brand is Parisian, isn't it?
Marie: Absolutely, I am Belgian, of Flemish origin, from the city of Ghent. It's a Parisian brand because I've been living in Paris for almost 20 years. I work here, I founded the brand while living in Paris. But the brand obviously has an influence towards Belgium.
What is the philosophy of the brand?
Marie: I first wanted to create handbags that I liked. One of the most important aspects for me is that they are functional, easy to wear. I created the hashtag #nomoreboringbags. I was looking for bags that are fun to wear, colorful, happy bags. I always say my mission is accomplished when the woman who carries my handbag has a smile on her face!
You carry one of the iconic designs which is the fanny pack, can you tell us more about it?
Marie: Absolutely, I carry the "Coachella" fanny bag that I created in 2015. It started from my mission to also bring back old styles to the present day, to make them more fun, a little more modern, but that they still remain chic and of good quality. It's a bag that you can wear to the Coachella festival but also to work, to go out...
You really have a special sense of color, pink is your favorite color?
Marie:Yes, Marie Martens it's a brand of bags that advocates for color. Pink in particular is a color I've loved since I was a little girl, without really having been a barbie girl.But pink, in all its shades, from nude to neon pink, through coral pink, it's a color that can be found in fashion, art, decor... It's a color that gives a touch of pizazz, that can surprise and that's also what I love: surprising my customers with my collections that have this touch of boldness.
Today you present the "BOOBS" collection which is a very particular collection at Marie Martens. Can you explain the principle to us?
Marie: It all started at the beginning of the creation of the brand. I was asked to create a small leather goods line as well. I was less thrilled because small leather goods - it's often a small purse or card holder - I find it a bit boring. But a card holder is something very corporate. So why not create a card holder that will break the ice when I pull out my business cards? So indeed, it's a form of boobs. And it has a nice little effect! It's a symbol of femininity and it's also a solidarity product, since we donate 10 e for the entire BOOBS range throughout the year to associations fighting against breast cancer, including Ruban Rose in France and Think Pink in Belgium.
Can you tell us more about Marie Martens' eco-responsible approach?
Marie: The eco-responsible approach has been part of my values since the beginning of the brand, where I have always promoted the short circuit: we source our raw materials in France, often in Italy. It even goes beyond the leather goods: there is the packaging, the lining of the bags.The lining and the straps of my bags are made in Italy or somewhere else in Europe. You don't have to go very far to look for quality and nice products.
What are the new projects for the brand?
Marie: One of the latest projects is "Eau de Feel Good", I wanted to create the signature scent of the Marie Martens brand. I couldn't think of a better name because it says it all, both in the brand name but also in the scent. It is a splash of freshness, of happiness, it is a "cuddly" eau de parfum. It's reminiscent of baby perfumes, but I say today it's also for moms, myself having recently become a mom. It's part of the concept of perfumed leather goods: I designed a small ceramic cookie made in Limoges; it's a diffuser with which you can diffuse the perfume on the cookie, which you will insert inside the handbag. It diffuses inside and it's a feel good aspect when you open your handbag, take out your mask, your handkerchief or your business cards which will be subtly perfumed. It's a little extra!
What is the profile of the Marie Martens customer?
Marie: On the one hand, she's hard to pin down, but on the other hand - and this is my great joy - she's a customer of all ages. It's an intergenerational product. We reach a customer who is a young girl of sixteen or eighteen, who asks for her first handbag. But there are also girls of my age, thirty, forty, fifty. There is also the trendy granny who precisely does not want a bag that is too boring, too classic and who wants a little twist, whether it is with the fluorescent zip, with the metallic materials, or a print.
There is this very impertinent side to the brand, can you tell us more about it?
Marie: This little side of impertinence, it is perhaps my Belgian side. You should never take yourself too seriously (even though I take my brand seriously!). There is a touch of humor, which is part of the DNA of the brand, it's one of our major values. It's a handbag, it's not going to dress a woman but rather define her style. You have to dare, assume, and say: "yes, I wear a fanny pack. Yes, ten years ago it was tacky, but today it's so practical, fun, colorful, and I love it !" You have to try, you have to dare, and since at Marie Martens we advocate pink, I'd even say you have to pink up!"
Discover the Marie Martens collection as well as the "BOOBS" range online at L'Exception
This interview is also available on video here.
