Neli Štrukelj, designer and founder of the ZMAI brand, makes fashion bags from dragon skin and with dragon energy. The distinctive texture of the bags, which resembles a dragon's skin, has achieved with an advanced and in the bag world a new and unique manufacturing process that combines laser cutting with hand assembly, only with pinning and no sewing. The design, as well as the innovative production process, are the result of his research and work.
The dragon as a symbol of fearlessness
Dragons as a symbol of strength, fearlessness and bravery inspired the designer to create bags with deep symbolism: the dragon represents courage, fearlessness and wisdom. Timeless bags DRAGONS they are the amulet of every modern heroine, who are not stopped by any obstacle of everyday life. This is a bag that will give a woman, with her determined dragon energy, the strength to cope with the challenges and trials she encounters daily on her personal or business journey.
The Slovenian legend about the dragon as an inspiration
Neli, who has been living and creating in Berlin for two years, is designing the brand DRAGONS led by a Slovenian legend, which says that a terrible dragon lived in the Postojna Cave, which everyone was afraid of. Frightened residents called for help to the resourceful Jacob, who defeated the dragon. His heroic and fearless act was rewarded with a very special bag sewn from dragon skin. At the brand DRAGONS they make bags just as special as the hero of the story from the past received, but… in their story the dragon survives!
An innovative and unique digital crafting process
Even the unique 3D texture of the bags DRAGONS resembles dragon skin, but no living creature was harmed in the making of these! They are used to make bags high quality vegan leather. The distinctive "dragon" texture of the bags is the result of Nela's innovative manufacturing process - of digital craftsmanship, which is unique in the world of bags. Manufacturing combines computer modeling, laser cutting and hand assembly.
ZMAI bags are made with respect to traditional manufacturing techniques, passionate attention to detail and visionary search for innovative ideasj. One of the main goals of the brand is to find the ideal combination of functionality and aesthetics. By following the universal idiom of geometry, the company creates "future heirlooms", bags with timeless appeal that transcend trends and will stand the test of time.
Slovenian bags born from values and created with the environment in mind
Locally produced bags DRAGONS are created in own production unit in Sežana, which the brand team likes to call the "Dragon's Nest". Every step of making the bags is carefully planned with the environment, local community and employees in mind. In the company, they ensure high working standards and a safe and healthy environment for everyone who is part of the story. At the brand DRAGONS they love surrounded by beauty, which is born from values and not from vanity.
The ZMAI fashion story was created in collaboration with Berlin designers
The photography of the handbags took place in Berlin and was carried out with the cooperation of a renowned Berlin photographer Sarah Engler, stylists Chanel Fu, make-up artists and hair stylists Justine Snow and model Angelina (Pearl Management). The project involved local Berlin and international independent fashion designers who are part of Berlin's concept stores STUDIO183 and M STUDIO Berlin.
About the founder and designer of ZMAI, Neli Štrukelj
As a Master of Arts, Neli looks for solutions to current challenges in his products with a research and innovation-oriented approach environmentally friendly design. Neli is the first Slovenian fashion designer to make it to the finals of the American competition "Independent Handbag Designer Awards" in the Best Green Handbag category. Along with the enviable ranking among the finalists of the American competition, Neli also received a student faculty award Prešeren's award, an award for a promising young designer, Elle Style Awards and a special mention by the jury at the exhibition Balkan Design Competition for a collection of eco-friendly bags.
Welcome to the new online store
In order for ZMAI handbags to fly faster to all brave women, an online store was also launched recently zmai.eu, where you can see bags of fearless energy and become part of the dragon story.
