Irish Design Spotlight: My Name is TED

Tell us about you and your brand
My Name is TED is a multi-award-winning Irish heritage brand creating luxury handbag collections inspired by life. The fascinating story of Ted Carbery using his mouth and left hand in the 1950s to make leather bags and accessories inspired Ted’s grandson Brendan McEvoy and wife Kasia to bring the family tradition and brand back to life.

We set out to follow the vision of Brendan’s grandfather Ted in 2017 and started researching, designing, sourcing exquisite materials and producing luxury handbags according to Ted’s notes in his diary. Little did we think our designs would travel far beyond our native country, Ireland. The brand has since established a reputation for exceptional standards of functionality, practicality, and most of all its uncompromising luxury standards using only the finest Italian leathers and solid brass hardware. The well-known signature Door Bag collection has fans and proud owners around the world from New York to Singapore. Each piece is designed in Ireland and handcrafted in Italy, to last for generations.

What is your mission?
Our mission is to be the Mulberry of Ireland, that is, a globally recognisable luxury handbag brand from the Emerald Island. We are aiming to be a household name known for uncompromising quality and innovation. We call this functional luxury.

Did you always know you wanted to be a designer?
We are a team; Brendan is the designer of our collections whereas I as a woman test them and give feedback. It works very well for us as we bounce ideas back and forth with each other about designs, materials and functionality. We want our products to be of the highest quality to last for generations. We are constantly meeting tanneries to understand their heritage and processes to ensure we have access to the finest materials in the world. 

What kind of items do you stock?
Our Door Bag collection comes in different sizes and shapes – from our everyday crossbody bag, to totes for work, mini bags that are designed to seamlessly convert from activewear to evening wear as either a crossbody or convert to a small clutch, phone pouches and compact bags that are medium-sized. We want to make sure that the customer will get what they need to suit their specific lifestyle. 

What new brands or items are on your radar?
We’re working on a new Crossbody Door Bag that we are really excited about. We will be launching it in Paris in the autumn.

Was money/funding a concern when starting out?
Starting a product-based business is costly as you go through number of prototypes before you are fully happy with the product. Building the website and doing photoshoots also adds up. We bootstrapped the business at the beginning, and we are focused on steady growth. You always need to be careful with funds to make sure you can execute all the plans you have and generate revenue to grow the business.

Best business advice you’ve gotten
Have a vision and goal but also have a step-by-step plan of how to get there – both short-term and long-term. Don’t be afraid to ask for help is another one I love – it’s very simple but crucial.

Favourite fashion/design accounts you follow
Rasmit Kaur, Oriona Robb, Blair Eadie, Eider Leite, Lydia Tomlinson and Lydia Millen.

Best fashion purchase
An Helen McAlinden camel coat! I absolutely love it and I live in it during the cold season. It’s sustainably made, luxurious and keeps me warm.

Other Irish brands you love
There are so many Irish brands I love, it’s very hard to pick! There is so much talent out there and so amazing products from fashion to homeware to art. I love Simone Rocha, Not Another White Dress, Kindred of Ireland, Colin Bourke, Helena Malone, Laura Jayne Halton and Shanley Interiors for homeware.

Most useful learning since setting up a business
Success is not going to happen overnight, it will take time, mistakes, learnings, dedication, persistence, hard work and a good team. It’s a journey of patience and passion.

Proudest moment so far
When accidentally, I met a very successful American businesswoman in London at an event wearing our Door Bag Crossbody. She bought the bag in New York, didn’t know anything about the brand or our story but she fell in love with the design. She could wear any luxury handbag brand but she loves My Name is TED and she wears it all the time.

I want my brand to be remembered for… being authentic to our heritage and its legacy and for creating sophisticated products that are handcrafted to uncompromising standards, and that function in our customers’ everyday lives.

If I could have anyone wear my designs it would be… all our customers have their own unique stories and we love and appreciate their support. If we had to choose a celebrity, it undoubtedly would have to be Sarah Jessica Parker.

Imagery provided by My Name is TED