Erika op den Kelder’s journey from crafting a custom watch strap to founding a fashion brand showcases the power of creativity and innovation.
In 2015, the journey of Erika op den Kelder into the world of fashion design began serendipitously. The Dutch native, residing in Sofia, Bulgaria, undertook a creative project when her husband at the time needed a wristband for his vintage Doxa SUB 300T Divingstar watch. Drawing inspiration from military aesthetics, she repurposed an old parachute harness to create her own version of the Marine Nationale strap, a style traditionally associated with military watches.
“I cut off the webbing and started fiddling with it,” Ms. op den Kelder recounted in a recent phone interview. Utilizing the cool metal parts from the parachute, she crafted an adjustable strap that combined functionality with a unique design aesthetic.
Their initial endeavor soon transformed into a burgeoning business, as her husband showcased the newly designed strap on social media. Shortly thereafter, he informed her of a surprising response: “I have about 30 orders for you,” he told her, indicating that her creative initiative had struck a chord with others.
This incident marked the beginning of a career that would see Ms. op den Kelder capitalizing on her innovative approach, blending practical solutions with stylish designs, eventually leading to her establishing a name in the fashion industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
