Last year, CLO teamed up with Tapestry to launch its first handbag design competition, featuring one of its most iconic brands: Coach. Over 300 submissions were received from across 40 countries, showcasing the incredible possibilities of creating accessories in CLO. We caught up with first-place winner Adiella Bachshe (known as sigcreator on CONNECT) to talk about her experience and the creative journey behind her winning design.
Can you introduce yourself and share a little about your background as a designer?
My name is Adiella, also known online as sgicreator. I’m a multidisciplinary designer based in Germany. I started my journey by studying graphic design, and during my studies I discovered digital fashion and 3D design. That’s when I found my true passion. Being completely self-taught in 3D, I went on to freelance across the music, fashion, and advertising industries, where I learned how to bridge the creative gap between concept and client vision.
I don’t have any prior experience specifically in handbag design.
What was the inspiration for your design? What story were you trying to tell?
The inspiration came from a recent trip to Japan, where I discovered my love for blind boxes and bag charms. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to build the design around a mascot charm to create a playful and collectible feel, while still honoring Coach’s heritage. My goal was to reinterpret classic Coach elements through a more playful and contemporary lens.
What was the very first element you started with, and how did the design evolve from there?
I started by developing the shape of the mascot. I derived it from the Coach monogram, where I noticed forms that resembled rabbit ears. From that point on, the process was about refining the design and polishing the details until it felt unique and unmistakably Coach.
Did you face any creative challenges during the process? How did you overcome them?
Yes, one of the biggest challenges was realizing that sometimes less is more. In the middle of the concepting phase, I felt like the “red thread” of the idea was missing. Through deeper research into Coach’s history and design language, I eventually found a direction that brought everything together.
Was there a moment when CLO allowed you to achieve something you couldn’t have done physically?
Absolutely. I’m not a leather craftsman or a traditionally trained fashion designer, so CLO3D allowed me to visualize my ideas extremely quickly. It’s also very forgiving when it comes to making mistakes, which gives me freedom to experiment without limitations.
Which CLO tools or features were most valuable for bringing your vision to life?
For the handbags specifically, the Freeze and Strengthen features were non-negotiable. Without them, it would have been very difficult to achieve and maintain the structured shapes I envisioned.
Which part of your final creation are you most proud of, and why?
I’m most proud of the small details, especially the charms, and the idea of a customizable handbag. Incorporating the turnlock mechanism which is a signature Coach element, was particularly meaningful to me.
Did exploring other creators’ work on the Connect platform inspire or influence your approach?
The creators on Connect are incredibly talented, and I’m always inspired by what I see there. While it didn’t directly influence my approach, simply exploring others’ work really helps get my creative flow going.
In your opinion, what are the most important qualities for a creator?
Knowing when to take a break is very important. With the pressure of social media, it’s easy to lose sight of why we create in the first place. Staying humble and continuing to learn, especially when you hit obstacles, is also essential.
What advice would you give to designers who are hesitant to try 3D design or enter contests like this?
You literally have nothing to lose. By learning 3D design or participating in contests, the only things you gain are experience and knowledge. Don’t compare your beginnings to someone else’s one-year progress and once you start you will realize how fun it is.
What’s the next project you’re excited to work on?
There’s nothing specific at the moment. I’m most excited about slowing down, relaxing, and learning new software little by little. I’ve recently become very interested in Houdini and how it can work together with CLO3D, so my focus is on that at the moment.