Page 31 - Flathead Beacon // 4.22.15

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BUSINESS
APRIL 22, 2015 | 31
SLEEP WELL
GREENWOOD EURO-TOP
OUTLOOK PILLOW-TOP
$368
$559
QUEEN SET
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6325 Hwy 93 South Whitefish, Montana
862.2455
Open 7 days a Week
FREE DELIVERY
WrightsFurnitureStore.com
Ryan Motley, owner of Bespoke.
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
He eventually contacted the owner of Bespoke, which was at that time build- ing custom car luggage with factories in Turkey.
Motley purchased the business, and maintained it for a couple years while learning the leatherworking craft. Then, he ceased Turkish production, and brought it all to the United States, spe- cifically to his Kalispell work room.
“It just made the most sense,” he said.
He and wife Sara are the only work- ers, though the couple’s three kids spend plenty of time in the workspace too.
But now that Motley feels comfort- able in his craft, he’s taking the Bespoke business in a new direction, away from sports cars and more toward beautiful and sturdy bags.
He is collaborating with a Danish company called Wilkens to design and build a luxury, rolling carryon suitcase – complete with a steamer-trunk look – and a company in San Francisco looking for high-end suitcases to give as compa- ny rewards.
Along with luggage, Motley is also making men’s and women’s bags, us- ing felt wool, leathers, and canvas. The idea is to produce a beautiful, function- al, long-lasting bag that someone would
keep and use for their entire life, he said, moving away from the idea of cheap, re- placeable fashion.
“My goal is to build stuff here that looks good and lasts a long time,” Motley said.
Ideally, Motley would like to build a product line with certain styles, but dif- ferent iterations with various materials, so each piece is unique. Another goal is to be as transparent about where mate- rials came from, like the Scottish leath- er, to show why certain pieces cost more than others.
His new lines will also have new names – Olde Stash for the men’s bags, and Miss Stash by Olde Stash for the women’s bags – marking a distinct sep- aration from the Bespoke car luggage business of the past.
Hopefully, his business picks up enough to add employees, Motley said, but until then, he’s going to keep build- ing what makes him happy.
“I love to create things, I love to de- sign things, I love to make things,” Mot- ley said. “I love to see things come to life.”
For more information, visit www. bespokeluggage.com.
[email protected]
A merino wool handbag created by
Ryan Motley, owner of Bespoke.
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON