As a child, Vincent Lai would sometimes help his mother at her job in a garment factory in Brooklyn. He would cut loose threads, do some sewing, ironing, or even just sweep the floor. He loved every minute of it. It now seems inevitable that after graduating from the School of Design this devoted Brooklynite would end up back home, designing and handcrafting satchels with an urban polish.


Vincent Lai’s collection of bags is called Skinny Vinny.

Lai graduated from Carnegie Mellon in 2006 with a BFA in Industrial Design. After a year of working for a design consultancy in Soho, he decided that it was time for a change. “I wanted to combine my product design education with the soft goods and pattern-making knowledge I gained growing up in a garment factory.” Lai started his own studio and named it after his own playful nickname: Skinny Vinny. Using the skills he honed in design school—from photography to jewelry making—Lai designed a line of bags that are functional and beautiful. The bags are made of rich materials such as pinstriped wool, distressed leather, and heavy-duty canvas. “I wanted to create everything out of eco-friendly materials, but as a small business, I just can't afford them. It's so expensive, about ten times more.” Despite setbacks such as this, Lai kept trying and wasn’t afraid to make mistakes. Lai still tries to keep an eye on sustainability by donating a percentage of every sale to the National Resource Defense Council and he hopes to begin experimenting with environmentally friendly fabrics in future collections.

This well-rounded attitude is evident in his designs, which combine everyday usability and unconventional styling. Lai spends his days researching potential buyers, crafting and distributing hand-bound look-books, and designing his next line. This close attention to details has caught the eye of the design world. Skinny Vinny bags have been featured on design blogs such as Coolhunting, Refinery 29, and Notcot.


Skinny Vinny bags can be purchased online via Supermarket and Chocoshoa.

Lai cites design blogs such as these as one source of creative inspiration, but his imagination can be sparked anywhere. “Sometimes, when I see people fumbling with their bags, their struggle points me to a direction.” Even his classmates have become a source of inspiration. “We correspond through email practically everyday. We have healthy discussions about everything from design, politics, current events and pop culture. A lot of them are doing really neat things and I hope we will collaborate on a few projects soon. They are also really great illustrators and I was hoping to use some of their work to use as a print for my bags… Their amazing work pushes me to strive to be at their level.”

Lai’s time at the School of Design definitely contributed to the success he enjoys today. “My professors are really good at what they do and the care and attention they gave each and every one of us was inspiring… to come to an institution where the studio classes are so personal and the professors actually know your name, that’s something I wasn’t used to and found really special.”



Posted on Oct 27, 2008