The Melbourne label making the everyday messenger bag of your dreams
IMAGE VIA @n1n.ab/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
“My curiosity to create has always been stronger than my actual skill level.”
Designing the perfect, everyday bag is no easy feat. It needs to be sturdy, versatile and the right size, while adding character to your outfit. It’s a tall order, one that Melbourne-based label, Ninab, has worked hard to refine.
It all started during the Covid lockdowns in 2020 when founder Catherine Bounos (known to her friends and family as Nina) received a sewing machine for her birthday. Every day, she’d dive into sewing and create something new. Three years later, Nina was after a new challenge and turned her focus towards bag-making.
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But learning to work with leather wasn’t easy, especially without the right tools. “My only proper tool was my grandpa’s old leather hole punch, which left me with blistered hands from overusing it. Without any machinery, everything had to be done by hand which was painstakingly slow and sometimes painful,” she says.
Eventually, the challenge paid off. Though Nina admits she felt naive when she first started, she says the slow-and-steady approach has made the process far more enjoyable than it might’ve been otherwise.
What started as a creative project has now evolved into a small-scale, consciously made label. Each leather bag carries a signature Ninab touch, whether it’s the thick belt-style strap, silver and gold eyelets or vintage-inspired messenger bag flap. And yes, it fits the brief: sturdy, versatile and the perfect size.
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Fashion Journal: Hi Nina! Tell us about you. What’s your fashion background?
Nina: My name is Catherine Bounos (though to family and close friends, I’m just Nina) and I’m based in Melbourne. I’ve never formally studied fashion or sewing. Everything I know has come from a mix of trial and error, and plenty of mistakes. Looking back, I think my curiosity to create has always been stronger than my actual skill level but that curiosity is exactly what’s driven me on this journey and for that I’m grateful.
My maternal grandma and her sisters, all amazing seamstresses, also passed down valuable skills that shaped me along the way. Creating and experimenting with different materials has been a constant in my life. As kids, my two sisters and I would make up our own brands, filling folders with designs we dreamed of bringing to life one day.
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How did Ninab get started? Talk us through the process and the challenges.
It all really began during the 2020 Covid lockdown when I got a sewing machine for my birthday and became completely obsessed with it. Every day, I’d dive into sewing and create something new, from skirts to dresses and even handbags, using that time to teach myself how to sew.
Specifically, I started designing my own patterns and slowly began making clothes – not perfect by any stretch but I loved the process. By May 2023, I was itching for a new challenge. I happened to be on the hunt for a new everyday bag and thought, why not just make one myself?
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The first bag I made was a deep wine colour with gold and silver eyelets, and I took it everywhere. Pretty soon, people started asking where it was from and friends began requesting one of their own. That’s when I really dove into leather crafting. Learning to work with leather wasn’t easy, especially without the right tools.
My only proper tool was my grandpa’s old leather hole punch, which left me with blistered hands from overusing it. Without any machinery, everything had to be done by hand which was painstakingly slow and sometimes painful. But the challenge was worth it. I loved taking this raw, natural material and crafting it into something functional and full of character.
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How has your label evolved and what are you trying to achieve now?
It all started as a fun, passion-driven project. A way to create pieces that felt like extensions of myself and my love for fashion and styling with no boundaries. My Instagram page was a personal mood board, scattered with my creations, outfits and snapshots from places I’d visited. In the beginning, it was just a hobby. I never imagined it would evolve into a brand and I’m so grateful for how everything has unfolded. Working creatively has always been a dream.
Now that I’ve grown into a small label, my core values remain the same: to create slowly, thoughtfully and in small quantities to minimise material waste. Through my brand, Ninab, I want to inspire people to explore their own creativity. Whether it’s making something themselves or experimenting with their styling, I hope to convey the magic of reusing and making the most of what we already have. This is clear in my styling, where you’ll see beloved pieces reused time and again, a choice that’s especially important to me in today’s highly consumer-driven world.
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How would you describe Ninab to someone who’s never seen it before?
Relaxed, comfortable, fun and eye-catching. Think effortless style that blends timeless silhouettes with bold, playful details. It’s all about pieces you can wear day in and day out, while still making a statement.
What are you most proud of in your work on your label?
There’s so much I’m proud of! The biggest thing is how much I’ve learned and evolved since starting a year ago. I’m especially grateful for all the connections I’ve made and the incredible people I’ve met along the way, whether it’s the suppliers I work with or customers. It’s incredibly fulfilling to hear how much they love and appreciate my pieces. That’s when I feel the proudest– when my work truly resonates with others.
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What do you wish you knew when you started?
Oh, there’s so much I wish I knew! While I have some background in business and finance, nothing fully prepares you for this journey. The most challenging aspect for me has been the emotional side of business. The highs and lows, the self-doubt that comes with any creative pursuit – those moments can be stressful. But in hindsight, I believe those periods are crucial because they often spark even greater creativity. Some of my best ideas have emerged from those tough times.
That being said, I don’t think I’d be where I am today if it weren’t for the ignorance I had when I first started. I didn’t take anything too seriously and everything felt like a fun experiment. That naivety actually helped make the whole process much more enjoyable.
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Who do you think is most exciting in local fashion right now?
There are truly so many incredible existing and emerging brands in Australia and New Zealand right now that are leading the way in fashion. It’s hard to pick just one but what they all have in common is their dedication to reinvesting in the domestic fashion industry and supporting local craftspeople.
They’re also taking important steps to preserve historic tailoring and production techniques that have been passed down for centuries, something that’s been lost over the years due to the rise of fast fashion and offshore manufacturing.
Another exciting trend within these brands is the noticeable shift back towards natural fibres over synthetics, which is especially thrilling from a sustainability perspective.
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What do you think about the fashion industry needs to change?
Fast fashion continues to be a major issue, with local markets heavily influenced by international brands. There’s a clear need to prioritise slow fashion. Fashion waste, particularly textile waste, remains a pressing concern. While circular fashion and upcycling offer solutions, the industry should also embrace more repair services and eco-conscious design principles to reduce waste.
Who are your dream Australian and New Zealand collaborators?
There are so many inspiring brands in Australia and New Zealand that I’d love to collaborate with. So far, I feel lucky to be surrounded by incredibly creative friends who inspire me daily. They’re true masterminds in fashion and design and it would be a dream to collaborate with them, brainstorm ideas and give them space to showcase their talent.
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What labels are in your wardrobe right now?
My wardrobe is filled with vintage finds and unique pieces I’ve collected in Melbourne and on my travels abroad. Some of my favourites are from All Is a Gentle Spring, Frisson Knits and Wixii. And, of course, there’s always an ever-changing colour or style from my own brand, Ninab, to complete the mix.
How can we buy one of your pieces?
You can currently buy my pieces through Instagram DMs or via my newly launched website, ninab.com.au.
Keep up with Ninab here.
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