January 07, 2008
Posted at 05:00PM

Helen Hoppock of Helena De Natalio

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What did you do before going into handbag design?
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A

I worked in the Peace Corps in Paraguay for two years as a business development volunteer.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: Where'd the name Helena De Natalio come from?

Natalio is the name of the town I lived in Paraguay. I used to go by Helena (pronounced Elena) but there are a lot of women named Elena so my friends from other towns started calling me Helena de Natalio and it stuck. When it came time to name my handbag line it was too appropriate to pass up.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Quote: From the it became a love affair; I became inspired and loved how people used fashion as a form of expression. From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What sparked your interest in South America?
I ended up in South America because I wanted to work as a Peace Corps Business Consultant in a Spanish-speaking country and they assigned me to Paraguay. From there it became a love affair; I met my husband (from Seattle) in Paraguay, became inspired by local crafts and women’s groups in Paraguay (where I learned to sew) and loved how people use fashion as a form of expression in Argentina. I ended up living in South America for 4 years and still go back every 3-4 months to design, find new leathers and check in with my production facilities.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question - Who is your biggest inspiration?
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
I’d have to say my husband keeps me motivated and committed to not accepting the status quo and fulfilling my dream. But, I’d say that experiencing other cultures is my biggest inspiration. I love visiting other countries, where people are not afraid to try new things, and I always find inspiration walking down the streets of South America. It is a stark contrast from the environment I grew up in where people strive to drive the same car and wear the same clothes. I find that traveling helps me think outside the box and increases my creativity.
 From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Atada handbag in eggplant, Ella clutch in gold

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What sets Helena De Natalio apart from other handbag lines? From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Photo of Helen with production team in Argentina.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
Our socially responsible production, the buttery soft leathers we use, and the handmade detailing are our signature elements not found on mass-produced bags. My number one priority when producing HDN bags is that the work helps Argentinean artisans. It is remarkably difficult to find production facilities that operate legally in South America but I have worked hard to find those places that pay fair wages, and provide benefits and healthy working conditions.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Photo of Helen buying leather. From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What are the biggest hurdles in running a socially responsible luxury brand?
Because I work with artisans and all production is done in South America, I find that they are not on my “American” time schedule. I’ve learned to stretch the truth when it comes to production deadlines in Argentina so that I make my commitments in the U.S.
 From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: Describe the Helena De Natalio customer, and which bag can she absolutely not live without? Helena De Natalio Magy handbag in dark teal

I find that the Helena de Natalio customer shops in boutiques, loves fashion, and cares about where their purchases come from. At the moment, the Leti Bag is a definite must-have. It is classic, multifunctional and its buttery soft leather just gets softer with use.
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: Do you plan on expanding your collection to go beyond handbags?

Not at the moment. I’ve learned my lesson. When I first started, a Spanish girlfriend and I began a small clothing line on the side and it was way too time consuming.

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What are some of the brands you admire?

I love Isabella Fiore. I respect their design style, textures and leather colors.

From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Helena De Natalio Ella clutch, Atada handbag, Nena handbag, Leti hangbag
From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Stay Tuned! Helen Hoppock blogs on Tobi. From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A; Question: What's your favorite South American Dish, and where do you go when you get the craving while back in the Bay Area?
In Argentina there is a lot of Italian influence, and it’s known for red meat and wine. These days I’m not so into eating out, but I love to cook so I frequently bring back my favorite olive oil from Mendoza, Argentina and Uxmal Malbec wine to enjoy with friends.
 From the Designer: Helen Hoppock Q&A
Helena De Natalio Atada handbag in eggplant Helena De Natalio Ella clutch in gold Helena De Natalio Helena De Natalio Helena De Natalio Ella clutch in black Helena De Natalio Atada handbag in tan Helena De Natalio Nena handbag in chocolate Helena De Natalio Leti handbag in ruby red Helena De Natalio Helena De Natalio Helena De Natalio Helean De Natalio Magy in dark teal