06Small-batch product development

Summer Tote Capsule

Two original tote formats produced as a four-piece capsule and sold through Instagram.

Four finished red, orange and pink striped tote bags arranged together outdoors — Four-unit capsule · June 2026

Objective: Turn a limited quantity of hand-dyed fabric into useful, repeatable summer products.
My role: Development, sourcing, production, pricing and launch
Material: Hand-dyed woven polyester exterior · waterproof nylon lining
Outcome: Four finished units sold out through Instagram in under two hours at prices from $65 to $90.

Making four bags pushed me to think beyond a single finished object.

I developed a 50 × 50 cm Jumbo Tote and a smaller Everyday Tote. Both use wide straps with extra padding at the shoulder and waterproof lining; the jumbo format adds a gusseted body and exterior pockets.

4Finished units

2Original formats

$65–$90Launch pricing

< 2 hoursSold out

Development and construction

Repeat the operations that should stay consistent while keeping the color and scale expressive.

I standardized the lining, labels, handle placement and order of construction where possible. I cut repeated components together and checked each finished bag for consistent construction and finishing.

Formats: Developed one everyday scale and one oversized 50 × 50 cm format.

Comfort: Added extra padding where the wide straps sit on the shoulder.

Repeatability: Used shared lining, labels, handle placement and construction order.

Launch: Determined pricing, styled and photographed the products, launched on Instagram and handled customer communication.

Orange striped Everyday Tote worn over the shoulder — Everyday Tote · compact daily format · $65

Red striped Jumbo Tote showing its large body, gusset and exterior pocket — Jumbo Tote · 50 × 50 cm gusseted body · $90

Close view of wide padded tote straps and a sewn label — Padded shoulder section and consistent label placement

Waterproof orange lining and tote label beside a sewing machine during production — Lining preparation and small-batch assembly

Outcome

Four finished units sold out through Instagram in under two hours at prices from $65 to $90.