about the name...

I'm Robert Andow, and I launched Mitsi Notame in summer 2021. I'd been quietly making leather goods and accessories for a number of years prior, mostly commissioned one-off backpacks and infrequent small runs. I didn't brand my things with a label name or makers mark, save for the ones I made for my partner Erika, and those I labelled with "Mitsi Notame". Because she always encouraged me to experiment, and because her own bold style inspired me to take chances I might not have for other clients, the things I made for her were always the most exciting to me and the most enjoyable to create. When I decided that I wanted to start sharing my creative work with a wider audience I considered several different names to operate under, but ultimately none of these gave me that same feeling of excitement and personal connection. So now that what started as an inside joke between lovers, which I hadn't imagined ever trying to explain to anyone else, is embossed into every piece I make. I figured I'd help you to understand it. Mitsi Notame comes from a combination of Erika's nickname and a playful working of the Japanese のために ( no tame ni ), meaning "especially for".  so...

Erika Mitsuhashi = Mitsi

no tame ni = especially for

Misti Notame = Especially for Mitsi

Pretty straight forward right?  ;)