Design Journey: The creation of the Inea bag

This Milène Journal blog post is about the creation of the Inea Business bag. Each design is the result of a unique journey – from the initial idea to the finished form.

Inspired by architecture, art, and fashion, the design emerges piece by piece from an idea in a creative process. With the help of initial sketches, forms are thought through, functions defined, and proportions and aesthetics experimented with.

Colors, materials, and details are visualized for the first time.

After the initial designs, work on the prototypes begins. Patterns are made and the first shapes emerge.

This phase is very intensive – constant refinement, adjustment, and rethinking. Proportions are checked, functions tested, and details optimized.

Several iterations are required until the perfect balance is found.

Special attention is paid to the selection of materials. Which texture emphasizes the form? Which leather provides the desired tension and the right look?
Quality, durability, and origin are always the focus—because only the right material gives the design its soul.

Design with character – inspired by asymmetry, movement, and individuality

The true personality of the bag is revealed in the details. At Milène, no element is left to chance – every detail is a deliberate statement: functional, aesthetic, timeless.

One example of a characteristic design detail at Milène is asymmetry. Instead of a classically symmetrically placed handle, one end has been extended – it stretches strikingly across the front of the bag, creating a flowing, dynamic silhouette. A strikingly positioned, asymmetrical clasp picks up on this line and gives the bag its unmistakable character.

This design is no coincidence: it stands for self-confidence and courage. For women who go their own way. Who don't follow trends, but show attitude – through fine details, quiet strength, and courageous decisions. Its clean lines make it the perfect companion: versatile, unobtrusive, and easy to combine – whether on business trips, at dinner, or as an accent to a business look.

Clean back – clever in detail

At first glance, the back of the bag appears pleasantly minimalist: a clear cut, neatly edged, with a fine, precise seam. A design detail – one might think. But there is more to it than that.

Inside, there is a practical slip pocket that allows quick access – ideal for when you're on the go. And there's another hidden extra: a discreetly integrated trolley sleeve that can be easily pulled out when needed and just as elegantly hidden away again. When not in use, it remains virtually invisible, maintaining the clean lines of the back.

A detail that perfectly reflects our design principle:

form follows function – but with style.


Functional, yes – but in a language that is quiet, high-quality, and thought out down to the last detail.



A favorite piece that stands out without being loud. And that's exactly why it stays that way for so long.