Millia: Reshaping innovative yet playful craftsmanship at Premiere Classe

As the global fashion industry gathered in Paris for the latest edition of Premiere Classe, a new voice in the world of accessories emerged — Millia. Founded by Carmen Inez, the Amsterdam-based brand offers a bold, conceptual approach to leather good design, drawing from architectural forms, interior design influences, and a rather eclectic color palette. With a deep commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability, Millia's presence under the tents of Premiere Classe thoroughly captured the attention of buyers and creatives alike.

Carmen Inez,  while on Premiere Classe, gave us a chance to discuss her journey, brand’s philosophy, and the challenges and triumphs of launching a new label in today’s particularly competitive fashion landscape.

The birth of Millia: A personal and intuitive creative vision


Millia was born from Carmen’s personal need for a bag that could seamlessly blend functionality with high design particulars. “I’ve always been a fashion girlie,” she admits. “I was searching for something that wasn’t out there, resulting in the initiative of creating it myself.”


With a background in trend watching studies and a career in public relations, Carmen’s  transition to fashion was anything but conventional. “Fashion was always my passion, but I never pursued it professionally until the day I felt a particular inspiration to start sketching,” she recalls. “That led me to suppliers, to materials, and finally to production, through the whole creative process I committed myself to at the time.”


Starting a brand from scratch, however, was no easy feat. “It’s incredibly difficult as a new brand to get in,” she specifies. “Finding the right suppliers, getting factories to take you seriously—is  a pretty considerable challenge itself. But I was persistent and therefore managed to reach the right people and companies to make my vision come true.”


Millia’s production is rooted in quality and responsibility. “I chose to work with a factory in Ubrique, Spain. A lot of people told me to produce in China or India for how it’s cheaper and more practical, but I wanted to ensure the best craftsmanship and ethical working conditions within my overall value chain. For me tt’s about more than just the cost—it’s about creating something that lasts and holds a meaningful value to the people we reach as a brand .”


A thinly carve approach to design: Where Fashion collides with architectural influence


Millia’s creative team tends to take a rather architectural approach to accessories crafting. “I studied trend-watching, and I noticed how 70s and 80s interior design—especially sculptural, playful elements—were making a comeback,” Carmen shares. “I was fascinated by the work of Gustav Westman and how he reinterpreted iconic pieces like the Ultrafragola mirror. That sparked a leading idea in my spirit: why not bring those influences into bags?”

Each Millia bag is designed as a functional sculpture. “The idea was to create something that stands on its own—both literally and aesthetically,” she explains. “If you place it on a table, it holds its shape. If you wear it with a simple outfit, it transforms and enhances the entire look. For me, it was all about making my bags the main character or noticeable piece of an outfit.”


The brand’s signature lies in its bold yet refined color palette. “I first launched my collection with four colours—purple, beige, green, and black. Then I introduced butter yellow and chocolate brown,” she says. “I love eclectic shades, but I also wanted neutral tones so my designs could appeal to a broader audience..”


Craftsmanship and sustainability: A commitment to lasting pieces


Sustainability is a core value for Millia, but Carmen remains realistic about the challenges of balancing environmental responsibility with the demands of a young and upcoming brand. “I initially wanted to operate on pre-order only, but that was difficult as the small label we were when entering the market at first,” she confesses. “Instead, I committed to produce in small quantities to minimize waste and base each new collection on the demand data and feedback we’d get at the end of each season…”


Material choice is another key consideration to the brands’ approach. “I use high-quality Nappa leather, which is the same leather used by brands like Loewe and Louis Vuitton’s suppliers,” she notes. “I believe sustainability also means making something durable—something that lasts above five or ten years instead of being disposable as a trending piece of design..” Every piece is handmade, yet again highlighting the brand’s slow-fashion approach. “It takes longer than mass production in China or India, but I value quality over speed,” Carmen affirms.


Premiere Classe: A defining experience for Millia


As a first-time exhibitor at Premiere Classe, Carmen approached the trade show as a major opportunity to introduce her brand to a broader international market. “I applied after my missing application for January’s,  I reapplied with two new styles and collection propositions for March’s edition, and therefore got integrated” she precises. “It felt like to me like the right moment to expand beyond the Netherlands and experience the hustle of such a major fashion capital as Paris stands.”


Paris again, she found, was a perfect fit. “Dutch consumers tend to gravitate towards established luxury brands. They save for Prada or Gucci for instance…” she notices. “But in France, people tend to appreciate unique, design-driven pieces. The response here has been amazing and thoroughly considering .”

The trade show itself offered more than just exposure—it fostered valuable connections. “I’ve met incredible buyers, including from Le Printemps and Monnier,” she shares. “Creatively, I’ve furthermore been lucky enough to experience inspiring conversations especially. There’s a shared love for structure, movement, and bold design in most of the creatives’ overall approach to design.”


Looking ahead for the future of Millia


With such a promising debut at Premiere Classe, what’s next for Millia we may wonder?  “I want to keep evolving, staying intuitive in my design choices,” Carmen states. “I trust my gut—every major decision I’ve made, from choosing production in Spain to selecting colors, has come from instinct and always resulted in great results!”


Carmen also embraces a rather digital yet life-experiential landscape as a source of inspiration. “TikTok, Pinterest, traveling—these all feed into my creative process,” she details. “I’m constantly absorbing what’s happening in design, art, and culture. That’s my way of capturing my surroundings and continuing to maintain a particular yet trending design approach for each collection.” As for her ideal customer? “At first, I designed for myself. But I’ve realized my bags appeal to such a wide range of people—from young trendsetters to design-conscious professionals,” she precises. “That’s why I offer both playful and neutral colorways—it allows for more inclusivity for each particular audience I might reach with my work for as long as they shall be transmitted and shared over the years…”


Ultimately, Carmen’s vision for Millia has got sharper: “I want to create pieces that aren’t just bags but objects of desire—playful, architectural pieces, built to last.” With its unique fusion of structure, color, and sustainability, Millia is poised to make a lasting impression far beyond the halls of Premiere Classe throughout the accessories and leather goods industry.

Yann Jobard Setzu

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