The Tomato Sauce store started as classic music merch. I wanted to sell things to get my name out there. However, I soon discovered that I actually really like the design process, and figured maybe that's something I could pursue alongside creating music.​

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Why I made the Man Bag

I actually came up with this idea as a solution to my own debacle - 'why don't they make handbags for men?' I really wanted a handbag but no matter how much I searched for one, I just couldn't find one that I liked. Totes were too big, too floppy or too long and they'd hit the ground if I held them by my side. I hate satchels because they have that giant flap. I was open to using a handbag that's marketed to women (and I did explore that option) but none of the ones I looked at were really my vibe. Eventually, I gave up looking and said 'stuff it. I'll make my own'. 

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Designing the Man Bag

It took me about eight months of trial and error to finally perfect my design. Months spent sitting at the sewing machine, desperately trying to create a bag with the perfect dimensions and qualities. I experimented with different sizes, fabrics, colours, pockets and anything else I could possibly think of. In the end, my goal was to have a small bag, just big enough to fit my drink bottle, sunnies, chewy and keys. It needed to have a zip pocket and it needed to be somewhat structured. I also insisted that it be short enough that I could carry it by my side without it hitting the ground.

 

I'm super happy with the design I came up with in the end, and it brings me so much joy to see other guys out there also now using these bags. 

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The t-shirts

I wanted these to be light coloured and summery, always a bit gay but also something that even a straight guy from Queensland would be willing to wear. Keep it Fruity was the original. I think it's such a fun design, perfect for the summer and anyone can wear it. I guess it's also a little shout out to my background in nutrition. 

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Fun fact

I also designed a drinking game and fully prepared a bunch of them to sell. Then I found out it’s illegal to sell drinking games in Victoria… 🫠