Mandinka Designs: Our process begins with the Hunt. We love to go hunting in thrift shops for gorgeous suit coats with fabulous linings and labels.

The labels are like little works of art in and of themselves. We “ooh” and aah” loudly while people look at the two strange women flipping through the men’s suit rack. Once we get the coats home we “fillet” them into the various parts- sleeves, collars, pockets, etc.

Then the real fun begins as we collage them into the varying styles of handbags, totes and accessories. Of course, no part of the coat should be wasted, so we make our adorable bugs out of the leftover sleeves.