You forgot the pockets, dude.

Starting out as totes, muz bags had no pockets or closure.  Soon after, I made a messenger bag that had a magnetic clasp but still no pockets. Every woman who saw the prototypes told me about pockets, pockets and more pockets.  It didn't sink in until I quickly made a drawstring backpack for myself and again, no pockets. I nearly went mad as all the contents merged into a collective mess. 

In developing the muz handbags, including multiple pockets were key to progress and signs that I (eventually) listened to (constructive) criticism. Sure, it was more work but when you've never used or worn a handbag before, you best listen to those to have.

Execution-wise, there was a lot of figuring out that I needed to do and more tweaks to the design. Sizing, structural lining, webbing strength - these are all things I had to take care of as I became more concerned with quality.

Today, muz handbags are still handmade and only available on special order. As of now, muz backpacks are currently available at Star Showroom.

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the first m ū z handbag

I had to experiment with different sewing needles, satin liners and how to the shoulder straps.  In hindsight, I wish I looked at other handbags as reference.  I flew blind for a while.  

I think this had one interior pocket, btw.

the JADE sling

I wasn't a huge fan of single strap backpacks until I made one.  I used this one mainly for my climbing gear.  The original version only had one pocket at the top and even though I didn't like cutting the mūz girl image, I had to compromise for better functionality with front pocket.

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the JADE backpack

The early characteristic of my bags was having mūz girls shown prominently.  With the multiple panels of those first backpack prototypes, I really didn't like chopping up the image so I implemented a separate pouch.

Lesson learned: this was loaded with pockets and sleeves.