Journalists and investors at the recent Demo Day were introduced to the project from the previous round of the PrusaLab hardware accelerator – the smart handbag IRMA. This unique product, designed by Klára Šmakalová in collaboration with designer Jakub Stedina, is not just a stylish fashion item, but also a practical helperwhose features increase the safety and comfort of its wearer.
More than just a fashion accessory
Besides its attractive look, IRMA brings many innovations aimed at making women safer when they are out and about in the evening. The handbag is equipped with several safety featuresthat can be a real help in crisis situations.
Its main features include a powerful light, a 120 dB alarm, a GPS locator, an NFC chip and a MagSafe charger for smartphones. Thanks to these features, the handbag can not only provide light on the way, but also a but also dazzle a potential attacker or instantly alert people nearby with a loud alarm. And although it may not seem so at first glance, the phone charging function is also a safety feature – you simply can't call for help with a dead phone. Klára Šmakalová, who previously ran the successful women's fashion brand Akari, and Jakub Stedina, who has extensive experience in industrial design, decided to create a handbag that responds to the real needs of women in the modern world.
Entirely up to you
One of IRMA's key features is its modularity. The handbag is designed so that its owners can swap the side pockets to suit their current needs or mood.
In the future, other practical modules could be added, such as a speaker (or a bento box), as well as limited editions of side pockets created in collaboration with renowned fashion designers, product designers and artists.
Acceleration
The IRMA project received significant support within the PrusaLab hardware accelerator. Besides financial backing and intensive mentoring, our experts designed and tested the technical solution and made the first working prototype. This process took 12 months, right here in our Holešovice workshop.
Ready for market
IRMA should go on sale as early as this autumn. The base model will cost around CZK 15,000, while the prices of special editions will vary.
The handbag is getting ready for its official launch at the Blickfang design fair in Vienna.
What's next?
Klára Šmakalová and Jakub Stedina plan to keep improving the IRMA handbag. Their goal is for IRMA to be not just a seasonal hit, but a long-term partner for all women looking for a combination of style and safety.
The IRMA handbag has the potential to become the new standard in the field of fashion accessories, where safety and style go hand in hand. The Demo Day at PrusaLab thus demonstrated that innovation and creativity know no bounds.
