Over twenty years. Nearly half my life. The only job I’ve ever known.
I am referring to my time as the founder of PurseBlog, this little site I started in my college off-campus housing, thinking I could potentially make a few bucks to help fund my travel budget to visit Vlad in Germany. I loved bags, I loved writing, and I wanted to start something of my own.
I’ve learned more in these past twenty-plus years than you would imagine. Have faced some of the most insane, unimaginable hardships (I should write a book; these are the kinds of stories you wouldn’t believe) while also being blessed with experiences I never dreamed possible. I’ve worked with the brands I grew up looking at in magazine spreads.
And now, with all of this behind me, after examining thousands of bags and talking about them for over half my life, I am launching a line of my own. Introducing M + V, a line of small leather accessories, handcrafted in NYC with the best leather, custom Italian zippers, and my eye for what works.
Drop 1 brings you two sizes of the Pouch, meant to be in your bag to hold the things you treasure most. It can easily go from inside the bag to stand on its own for errands, which I have been doing endlessly.
I hand-selected each material and color after looking at countless options and going back and forth on what worked and what didn’t. There’s a difference in each leather: the black leather is the softest by far (truly, it feels insanely lush), the Italian suede feels silky smooth (you know how much I love suede), the burgundy offering a thick, textured body, and the biscuit/tan is a bit more structured and polished.
The Limited Edition Sleepy Panda Pouch
As much as I knew I needed to start with classic options, I also wanted something playful. I have always said that a bag should be fun and personal. That is where my Sleepy Panda Pouch fits in. You see, he is personal to me, fun, and tells a story.
He is a little piece of my family, from me, to you.
At the end of the hallway in my childhood home, there’s a priceless masterpiece. This drawing of our family tree was created by my brother Joe when he was about 8. Each member of my family is represented by an animal and a word that describes our “essence.”
Now, here’s where it gets extra special: my brother and dad? They’re both sleepy pandas in his eyes. It’s become one of the funniest and most beloved stories we share with everyone. If we ever see a family member looking tired, we ask them if they are a “sleepy pand” (and yes, “sleepy pand,” not “panda,” because my brother’s spelling was the cherry on top).
When I decided to launch this accessory line, I couldn’t resist starting with the Sleepy Panda, as a tribute to the very first family member my brother imagined, all those years ago.
The Name M+V
As someone who has mostly lived behind the scenes throughout my PurseBlog years, sharing my voice through words rather than video or photos, I knew that building a brand would be one of the most personal things I have done. It’s why M+V is actually a symbol of a heart; it is the combination of my first initial and Vlad’s, along with our children, Millie and Vaughn.
It closes the loop on the story that many times, the things we carry in our bags are the items we love most and mean the most to us. It may be something as integral as life-saving medicine, a photo, a keepsake, or the daily items we need to keep us going.
The Details that Make M+V
As you know, when it comes to something as simple as a pouch, it’s the details that matter. It was incredibly important to me to ensure that all of the details mattered.
That started with the materials themselves. I handpicked each leather and suede, using the highest-quality Italian leathers, and then went through countless samples to ensure the leather came to life the way I wanted. The materials are meant to move with you and become better with time as they are lived in and used.
The zippers became the detail that I took the longest to decide on. Again, I knew that the zippers needed to be of great quality. I wasn’t happy with version 1, 2, 3, or many that followed. And that not only pushed us back but also landed us with the task of finding custom Lampo zippers from Italy. The quality of these zippers matched what I wanted for these pouches. A seamless, fluid motion with a detail that is integral but shouldn’t miss out on being luxurious.
The interior of each pouch is lined in suede. I wanted that luxe finish from the outside to transfer inside as well. We worked hard to keep the pouch light, even with a full suede lining, and finished it off with a leather tab embossed with our logo in gold or silver foil.
And lastly, but incredibly important, is the factory.
This mattered a great deal to me, and I wanted to have my line Made in America. Furthermore, in the heart of it all, in NYC. Our factory has artisans who have been working with leather goods companies for decades. Each sample was made by hand, with the artisan’s knowledge and my feedback, until we landed on the final sample. The Sleepy Panda is hand-cut, then each piece placed and stitched, which means no two Panda pouches will be exactly the same.
The details are what I’ve focused on for over twenty years, and mattered just as much for this first line.
Shop Now
And with all of this, we are officially open! This is Drop 1 from M+V, with more collections to follow. If anything sells out, please add your name to the list so we can ensure you find the information when we restock.
Thank you for being part of my journey, and I am so thankful for your continued support!
With love, Megs, Vlad, Millie, and Vaughn
