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Born in Bangkok, Thailand into a family of shoemakers, Danny Kong worked as a shoe designer in the family business while attending college. In 1986, after graduating with a degree in accounting, Kong immigrated to the United States and soon began working with a large interior design firm in Los Angeles, California.
At work one afternoon Kong was given a sample of beautiful Italian tapestry from a nearby showroom. He took the fabric home and, using the skills he had learned as a young man, came up with a simple but beautiful tapestry tote bag. “I felt so happy,” Kong reports, “to be back at work doing something I love.” The following weekend he hung the bag in a friend’s booth at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market. That first bag sold quickly and soon Kong had a booth of his own with a steadily growing following of loyal customers.
Twelve years since that humble beginning both the sophistication of Kong’s designs and his selection of fabrics continue to grow. He has long since left his job with the interior design firm and now works on the bags full time. Adding to his early experience making shoes, Kong sought additional training in pattern making and design and has established a reputation for handcrafting the highest quality handbags. “Learning new techniques and experimenting with new designs,” explains Kong, “is an important part of my business.” And the most enjoyable part of the business? “Searching for beautiful fabrics and hearing from happy customers,” Kong says.
Kong has devoted himself to making the best bags possible. He hand cuts the fabric in every bag to highlight the beauty and design of the tapestry. Kong always has some new idea he is working on and existing designs are constantly re-examined for the possibility of further improvement. “Feedback from our customers is so important,” says Kong. “We’ve changed many features and come up with some of our best ideas after talking with customers.”
Kong has created something for everyone in the Danny K. line of handbags: the sturdy Tote with lots of pockets, the Classic Backpack that is hands-free and secure, the Organizer with hidden pockets that can be worn over the shoulder or around the waist and the new Maggie Purse with built-in pocket for water bottle to name a few. And, of course, all the accessories to match, like the Cosmetic Case, the Cell Phone Case or the handy little Coin Purse. Kong has sent bags to customers in every state in the US and his bags have been sold at high end shops coast to coast – from the Luxor Hotel (the big black pyramid on the Las Vegas strip) to the National Gallery of Art (in Washington, DC).
Joining the Sugarloaf family has allowed Kong to showcase his handcrafted bags on the East Coast for the first time. He’s had a warm welcome and loves being a part of the shows. When hearing that Kong’s home base is in Los Angeles one Sugarloaf patron exclaimed, “I thought so! I knew something was different about your bags – they have a West Coast flair!”
Kong has lots of new creations to show this season. Be sure and check out Kong’s booth to see the complete line of Danny K. handbags in the newest shapes and colors.
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