Omar Munie has carved a reputation for himself as an outstanding and innovative young bag designer of his generation. He makes bags that are handmade and exclusive.
At the age of 9, Omar Munie migrated with his mother, brothers and sister to the Netherland at the height of the civil war in his native Somalia.
*Omar Munie
Omar Munie (25) had no intention of becoming an accountant as his mother wishes. At a young age, Omar wanted to work with his hands to bring out his creativity and so, he went to fashion school to achieve his dreams. At school he focused on clothing.
In 2007 he won the prestigious 'Best Student of the Year and one year later the' Best Entrepreneur under 25.
After graduation, Omar began to show more interest in designing handbags. He started a unique handbag company for both women and men. His bags range from weekenders, purses, soirée bags, laptops bags, shoppers, and everyday bags.
The Somali born Dutch designer’s collections include handmade leather bags, laptop bags and overnight bags. He designs only 25 pieces of each model. The bags are now sold in over 11 shops in the Netherlands, among them, 'Maison de Bonneterie' in The Hague and Amsterdam. Omar's bags are also sold at Macy's in New York, as well as shops in Valencia (Spain), Lech (Switzerland) and Dubai (UAE). Prices range between 300 and 700 euros.
He now has his own shop Omar Munie Flagship Store, in which the mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb cut the ribbon at its opening.
*Omar Munie with Model Kim Veenstra
The new accessory collections include covers for the Blackberry and the iPhone, available in various colours and prints.
The young designer born into a family of tailors is considered an inspiring example of a refugee who saw and took his chance, and became a success story.
Out of his busy schedule, Omar is part of a new campaign aimed at the secondary education in the Netherlands called 'MBO Roadshow Marshals'.
Among the accolades received by Omar Munie are: Best Entrepreneur under 25 years (Sprout Magazine), Most Original product (Jaarbeurs Utrecht), Design exclusive key-hangers and bags for Samsung, which sold 18,000, Youngest ever in Museum of Bags and Purses designer with a special exhibition. Most Innovative Entrepreneur 2011 (Big Improvement Day) among others.
Media Blackberry
