Getting into a competitive business world, especially after working for years in a government department, is not an easy task. But 59-year-old Essy Issac of Palakkad in Kerala, who retired from government service in 2022, has chosen a road not taken post retirement and is making big waves in the fashion world through her unique handcrafted designer handbags made from leather and rosewood.
What began as a post-retirement hobby for Essy Issac has now turned into a flourishing business, with an Italian luxury fashion brand partnering with her to take her creations to the global stage.
Though she has no formal training in designing, this postgraduate in Economics managed to make premium designer handbags under the brand name “Essyz”, chasing her long-held love for art and designs.
Essy Issac, who retired from a two-decade-long service in the education department, always nurtured a deep interest in design and craftsmanship. “During my young years, I used to sketch embroidery designs for sarees. I’ve always been fascinated by textures—leather, wood, fabric—and how they can come together to form something elegant yet functional,” she recalls.
With no formal training in fashion or design, Essy began experimenting in her small home workshop at Manarkkad in Palakkad, blending premium quality leather with intricately carved rosewood panels to create handbags that stood out for their craftsmanship and cultural richness.
Soon her creations began gaining traction for their unique fusion of tradition and modernity. Her designs caught the eye of fashion enthusiasts and influencers. “We are getting orders from corporates for the designer bags as a corporate gifting item. We hope for a turning point following the discussion with the Italian brand. The partnership is expected to take her handbags to select stores across Europe,” Essy told “Open Digest“.
For Essy, it’s a dream come true. “I never imagined my designs would garner international attention,” she says with a smile, radiating a bold statement that creativity knows no age.
