One-of-a-kind by Alissa

MyTennisFashion had a chance to talk with San Francisco based designer Alissa Anderson earlier this week. Her unique concept of turning Vintage Racket bag covers into colorful unique luggage tags, cardholders, wallets and other travel accessories is truly something special.

Q  Alissa, do you come from a tennis playing background ?

A. Embarrassingly, I am not a frequent tennis player, although I did play in summer camp as a kid!

Q. Take us back to what started the whole mittenmaker concept and what was the inspiration behind it?

A. Mittenmaker started as a recycled fashion line about 7 years ago, soon after I moved to San Francisco. I mostly made reconstructed t-shirts but began to make little vinyl card holders (the ones I still sell now) and got a great response to them. Since I only use recycled materials I was trying to think of a good source of recycled vinyl. One day I found a vintage tennis racquet cover at a thrift store, loved the vinyl and the logo, and the rest is history!

Q  I see your products all fit into the whole eco-friendly recycle and reuse movement. Was this something that you were always into?

A. Yes, I have always valued recycling and reusing things, for political as well as aesthetic reasons. The tennis theme sort of happened accidentally while looking for a source of recycled vinyl, and I’m so happy it did! I also LOVE thrifting so now I get to scour thrift stores everywhere with a specific goal. I also use other sources of recycled vinyl for the insides of the wallets such as old chairs, couches, and luggage.

Q How long have selling your products?

A   I have been selling my tennis products on Etsy since 2005 and also about 2 years before that at events in San Francisco, so at least 5 or 6 years now.

Q What has the response been so far?

A. People have always really appreciated the cleverness of materials and minimal design, but Etsy really helped me get my products out there in the world. I have sent orders to dozens of different states and countries.

Q  Is each item hand made and do you sew them yourself ?

A. Yes, I love sewing! I design the products, make the patterns, and sew everything myself on my trusty industrial sewing machine in my sewing studio. Occasionally friends come over to help me clean covers, which takes a lot of time and elbow grease, as many of them are pretty dirty from being in garages, attics, sheds, etc.

Q  What does the future look like for mittenmaker?

A I n addition to Mittenmaker I am also a photographer, travel with a band, and work at a motorcycle shop! I’ve been touring a lot lately so it has been hard to keep my Etsy store well-stocked, but I hope to be more productive in the next few months and maybe even come up with a couple of new designs. Also, I would love to collaborate on eco-friendly and vintage-inspired designs with a major tennis brand.

Q I understand you were recently featured in Tennis Magazine. What was the response like after that major exposure?

A. The response I’ve gotten from the Tennis Magazine article has been amazing! As soon as it hit newsstands I got a lot of orders, way more than usual. A lot of tennis fans and players wrote me who were really stoked to find out about such fun, unique, and eco/vintage themed tennis products. Also some professional players contacted me who bought products with the logo of the company they’re sponsored by, which is so exciting! My products were always popular among people who valued recycling and reuse, but the magazine article really helped alert the tennis community to my work, which is something I’ve always dreamed about. In July I’ll be working with the Stanford Bank of the West Classic, which I’m really looking forward to.

Q. What is the best way to purchase your product? Do you also have a store location in San Francisco?

A. Currently in addition to my webstore at www.mittenmaker.etsy.com you can also buy them in person at Little Otsu in San Francisco. I also do many fashion and craft events in the Bay Area, and even sell them at the merch table on the road.

Q. You know I can’t let you leave without asking you, who is your favorite tennis player?

A. At the moment I don’t have a favorite player, although as someone with a fashion background I love watching the fierce Williams sisters play! Even just to check out their outfits.

 Thanks so much for stopping by MTF Alissa best of luck with your products.

Check out a few of Alissa’s cool creations.