It's me

My name is Arman and I am a fashion designer and a leather craftsman specialised in handbags, accessories and small leather goods. 
I started out in the fashion industry working as a assistant at my aunt’s made to measure atelier, sewing garments and learning how to make patterns for women's wear. In order to improve on my professional skills, I moved to Barcelona where I got my degree in Fashion Design and Pattern Making. Developing a range of leather accessories as part of my final project ignited my passion for the design of handbags and I decided to specialise in accessories (handbags, belts and small leather goods). I moved Milan for my master degree in Handbag Design and Collection Development.

I worked for a variety of companies, doing everything from the creative aspects of design to the technical aspects of garment, handbag and accessory construction. 

Thanks to my skills and my continuous desire to learn and improve my professional profile, I gained extensive experience working as a designer, pattern maker, product developer, product manager and buyer for bags. I have dealt with factories in Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal) and in the Far East (mainly China and India) supplying my design files  with tech specs and following up the product development process from first sample to final production. This has also involved handling negotiation of the costs, visiting factories, controlling of the production and delivery schedule and quality control.

In 2013 I started my own brand Armand Jany specialised in handcrafted bespoke leather bags and accessories made from exceptional materials using traditional saddle stitching techniques to handcraft every design. I am involved in the entire process of their creation in my atelier placed in Johannesburg, South Africa.

I offer my services as a freelance designer and leather craftsman where I provide full design support including trend consultation, design, CAD visuals, product development, detailed factory tech pack, pattern making and the creation of the first prototype.

For those who want to start their own business and want to learn handbag design, hand stitching (saddle stitching), bag pattern making and prototyping can attend my customised course in my atelier located in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Get in touch to tell me about your project.