Host 1
Welcome to the Two on One podcast. I’m František, and sitting next to me is Honza. On this show, we chat with inspiring students and alumni from Newton University.
Host 2
And our guest today is Dominik Souček—Newton alum, fashion designer, and founder of the brand Sign Domy. Domčo, welcome!
Dominik
Thanks so much for having me, guys.
Host 1
Dominik is living proof that a tough recovery after a bad accident can spark an incredible story and turn into a full-fledged brand. Take us back to the very beginning, Dominik: how much did that bike crash shake things up for you, and how did it actually get you into sewing?
Dominik
Yeah, the crash completely flipped my life upside down. Riding was my whole world—pretty much since kindergarten. I was on my bike every single day; it was my ultimate passion. Then, literally overnight, a severe injury put an end to all of that. I spent a month in the hospital, and it was rough. I had to find a new outlet. Fashion and accessories had always fascinated me, but they’d been on the back burner for years. After the accident, that interest suddenly took center stage. I started messing around with fabric, sewing little backpacks just for fun to kill time. That’s really how the whole thing kicked off.
Host 1
So it must have been a pretty serious accident, right? Because picking up sewing out of nowhere sounds like you suddenly had a ton of downtime on your hands.
Dominik
Tons of time. Between rehab and recovery, I had nothing but time. I went from getting an everyday adrenaline rush on the bike to absolute zero. I desperately needed something else to focus on. Sewing obviously doesn’t pack that kind of adrenaline—unless you slip with a blade—but it turned out to be just as engaging.
Host 2
Were you completely bedridden at that point, or just barred from doing sports?
Dominik
Well...
Host 2
Like for a stretch of time, or what did that look like?
Dominik
I mean, not totally bedridden in the strictest sense, but it triggered thrombosis—which I unfortunately deal with. Because of those complications, I spent about a month on strict rest, barely moving so the wound could properly heal.
Host 2
Right. And you’ve been sewing for 9 years now. What were those early days like, and how did you feel about your first pieces?
Dominik
Honestly, I loved it. Even though when I showed my work to people, they’d try to be supportive and go: 'Hey, cool hobby, looks like fun... but it’s definitely not winning any beauty contests.' So I just thought: 'Look, I enjoy doing it, so hopefully I'll get better.' I got very blunt, honest feedback from friends and family, like: 'It's a nice pastime, let's not get ahead of ourselves.' I spent roughly two years in that phase—just tinkering. Eventually, I made my first actual items for friends, like a small dopp kit for a buddy to give his girlfriend for Christmas. Those were my very first humble projects.
Host 1
So your first piece was a toiletry bag?
Dominik
Pretty much. In fact, that was my first ever custom order, if you can call it that, roughly eight years ago. Just a basic faux-leather pouch. Looking back at it compared to what I make today, it looks pretty comical.
Host 1
Let’s talk about your new brand. But before launching this one, you had a business partner, and things didn't quite work out. It was a different brand. Before we get into your current label—which I want you to introduce yourself—what was that previous brand?
Dominik
That was Shart. We made accessories, backpacks, and handbags. I ran it with a friend for about four years. It taught me everything about partnering up in business, which is a priceless experience. You have to navigate the thin line between friendship and business, where things inevitably clash, and you constantly have to find your internal balance. It taught me a massive amount. Today, I actually manufacture pieces for Shart, so we still collaborate on a production level.
Host 1
Oh, I didn’t know that. So tell me: is it better to go solo, or if you had to give advice to our listeners, is it better to team up with friends or build something on your own?
Dominik
That’s so tough to answer, and there’s definitely no universal formula.
Host 1
There really isn't.
Dominik
It totally depends on your personality and your drive. If you have an unshakeable, relentless drive and you’re ready to chase your vision no matter what obstacles get in your way, go for it 100% on your own. But if you’re more hesitant, I’d recommend getting some standard work experience first—stepping into the employee mindset. That’s something I feel I lack, and sometimes it holds me back because I miss that perspective.
Host 2
Looking at this bag right here—could you hold it up for us?
Host 1
That’s not a little pouch, man.
Host 2
A full-on bag, just messing with you. What can you tell us about it? How long does something like this take to craft?
Host 1
It's gorgeous.
Host 2
Really sharp. We heard it’s your latest piece.
Host 1
Yeah, exactly, thanks! It's actually one of the first pieces from the line. It features this embroidered logo, which is rarely done because of how labor-intensive and time-consuming it is. It’s an everyday tote designed for both women and men—depending on how bold guys feel carrying it. It fits a large laptop and has structural detailing to ensure it keeps its clean silhouette. Inside, there's a dedicated zippered laptop sleeve so everything has its place and you don't end up digging through a black hole.
Host 2
I’ve noticed men’s totes and designer bags making a huge comeback lately. I even saw Messi rocking a Birkin recently. Guys carrying luxury bags used to turn heads, but now it’s becoming the norm.
Dominik
Totally, I saw the exact bag you're talking about. I believe it was a Hermès collaboration with a football brand. Personally, I thought it looked incredible. It was super oversized compared to a standard Birkin, and it worked really well on a guy. Over the past few months, men carrying larger statement bags has definitely become a legit trend.
Host 2
That seems to be where things are headed. Men are getting into skincare and grooming, taking better care of themselves in general.
Host 1
Putting effort into their look, yeah.
Host 2
Exactly. And carrying a sleek bag feels a lot sharper than throwing on a bulky backpack when you just want to grab your essentials and go.
Dominik
Right. It’s an elegant alternative, and with bespoke pieces, you get something tailored specifically to you. When a client comes in and says, 'I want something minimalist, but I need to fit a 16-inch laptop, document folders, notebooks, two phones, keys, and a wallet,' I can build the exact bag around their day-to-day lifestyle.
Host 1
So if I want to commission a custom bag from you, Dominik, what does that journey look like? I'm guessing we don't just meet once. Do you just say yes to every request, or do you push back and guide the design?
Dominik
It always starts with an initial consultation, either at my Trutnov studio or wherever is convenient—Prague, Brno, depending on the client. The first meeting is about getting on the same page and understanding their aesthetic. Then we dive into specifics: their expectations, the style, and custom details. We have an extensive range of leathers, colors, thread weights, and hardware. That first session sets the foundation. The second meeting—either in person or online—is where I present a concrete design blueprint and quote, with detailed sketches so the client can visualize the finished piece. Once we lock in the specs, production takes about 3 to 4 weeks. Clients sometimes reach out mid-build saying, 'Hey, I talked to my partner and had another idea—could we tweak this pocket?' Whenever feasible, I accommodate those requests because the end goal is 100% client satisfaction.
Host 1
Got it. When you...
Host 2
Go ahead.
Host 1
When you're designing, do you pull inspiration from major fashion houses? Because this bag has subtle Hermès vibes, and the other one with the monogram reminds me a bit of Louis Vuitton. Where do you look for inspiration, given how cyclical and derivative the fashion world can be?
Dominik
With that black bag, the monogram actually came from a project I did for a men’s grooming brand. They commissioned a large duffle bag and wanted a custom monogram with the letter 'B' in a specific typography. I gave it a shot, and the finished piece turned out stunning. The monogram debossing looked so rich against the leather—understated, not loud or flashy. It’s the kind of detail you only appreciate up close. I thought, 'That's a gorgeous aesthetic to bring into my own portfolio.' So it wasn't about copying another designer; it grew organically out of that custom project.
Host 1
And what’s the story behind this piece here?
Dominik
With this one, I wanted a versatile carryall that works equally well in hand or over the shoulder, centered around that embroidered emblem. Because embroidering leather requires a totally different assembly process than hot stamping or laser engraving, the construction gets intricate—the leather backing on the patch is layered separately from the main body. I wanted the silhouette to look sleek and framed while fitting a full-sized laptop comfortably without adding bulk.
Host 2
What price point are we looking at for your pieces?
Dominik
For the current Saint Dominique collection, the ready-made pieces range roughly between 14,000 and 26,000 CZK. Off-the-shelf studio models sit at the lower end, while fully bespoke commissions scale up based on the time and technical complexity involved.
Host 1
Every piece is essentially one of a kind.
Dominik
Exactly. It comes down to individual taste—the possibilities are pretty much endless.
Host 2
What type of leather did you use for this one?
Dominik
This is Tuscan pebbled cowhide, specifically an alce grain finish.
Host 1
And the second bag over there?
Dominik
Same Tuscan cowhide, just in a different colorway.
Host 1
Are you expanding beyond bags? Belts?
Dominik
Yes, I make belts too.
Host 1
Any footwear yet?
Dominik
Not yet, and probably not anytime soon. Shoemaking is an entirely different beast that takes years to master. The machinery alone is far more complex and expensive compared to what you need for bags, backpacks, and small leather goods. It’s a very specialized, capital-heavy craft.
Host 1
How do you juggle running this brand, doing the manual craft, your personal life, and fitting in sports?
Dominik
Since Saint Dominique is only a couple of months old, I’m spending practically all my waking hours in the workshop—either crafting or shooting social content so the brand gets seen. In the past, I was purely focused on making products and ignored marketing. Now I’m juggling content creation, video editing, bench work, design, and retail partnerships. It’s intense. As for sports, I can grind in the studio for three straight days, but on day four, my brain is fried unless I get a workout in. If I don’t blow off steam, the quality of my work drops and I lose the joy in it.
Host 1
It acts as a reset button?
Dominik
Exactly. It recharges my battery. When I’m swimming—which I love—there are zero distractions. You're alone with your thoughts. That’s when the best design ideas and business strategies hit me. When I run, I prefer running without gadgets, but I usually bring my watch just to dictate quick voice memos. I used to tell myself I’d write ideas down after the run, but you always forget. You have to capture the spark immediately.
Host 1
Rumor has it you used to keep a sewing machine right next to your bed. Is it still there?
Dominik
Not anymore, thank goodness! But it was there for years in the beginning. When I bought my first industrial machine for 30,000 CZK, it felt like a massive milestone. I thought, 'Alright, this is the real deal now.' Yet there it was, crammed into my childhood bedroom, where I sewed my first client orders. Looking back at old photos of me stitching a tote for my neighbor in that tiny room is pretty hilarious compared to running a dedicated studio with four machines, skivers, and leather splitters today.
Host 1
You’re based in Trutnov. If our listeners want to experience your work in person—because with leather, you really want to touch and smell the craftsmanship—where can they find your pieces? Any stockists in Prague?
Dominik
Not in Prague just yet, but I’m planning to relocate both myself and the studio closer to Prague next year. Leather goods are meant to be felt and smelled in person—that tactile connection to the raw material and the story is tough to convey through an Instagram screen.
Host 2
What sets you apart from higher-end luxury fashion houses?
Dominik
With heritage luxury brands, you’re still picking from a fixed catalogue of colors and silhouettes. With me, the client gets complete creative freedom. You aren't choosing something that’s sitting on a shelf; you’re co-creating something that doesn’t exist yet. The whole experience lets the client slow down from their daily rush, get creative, and take home both a bespoke product and the story behind making it.
Host 2
Could you scale this model if demand suddenly jumped to 100, 200, or 300 bags a month, while keeping that 1-on-1 bespoke touch?
Dominik
At 100 or 200 bags, definitely not. A single bag takes 24+ hours of bench work. There just aren’t enough hours in the month.
Host 2
So the long-term vision is maintaining that boutique exclusivity rather than mass production?
Dominik
Exactly. The sweet spot for me is keeping a dedicated bespoke clientele, producing single-digit bespoke commissions each month alongside a curated ready-to-wear showroom collection. Keeping volume tight ensures zero compromises on build quality.
Host 1
True luxury exclusivity where every single stitch is crafted by you. Do you have an apprentice or team yet?
Dominik
Not yet. Every single cut, bevel, and stitch is done with my own two hands. When a client receives a piece, I can look them in the eye and say, 'I built this entire bag from scratch.'
Host 1
From A to Z.
Host 2
Focusing strictly on quality over quantity, where clients buy into the craft and the experience.
Dominik
100%. That direct dialogue with the client—geeking out over leathers and edge finishes—is what fuels me. And seeing their genuine reaction when I hand over the finished piece after dozens of hours of work makes the grind completely worth it.
Host 1
The bag connects people. Would you ever consider collaborating with a fashion designer—say, crafting custom bags tailored specifically for their apparel runway collection?
Dominik
It’s definitely on my radar. The brand is still young, so I’m holding off on big collabs for now, but crossing over into apparel, fine art, or pop art down the line sounds super exciting.
Host 1
I actually have someone in mind for that, but we'll save that for off-air!
Host 2
Would you love to see your bags walking Paris or Milan runways one day?
Dominik
That’d be an absolute dream. But no rush—we’re only two months into this new chapter.
Host 1
One step at a time.
Dominik
Exactly. Since I handcraft everything, supplying even 10 boutiques with a couple of bags each would tie up my production for three months straight. I have to stay focused and intentional with my time.
Host 1
To wrap up: when you’re not at the sewing bench, not working out, and not by the barbecue, what does genuine downtime look like for you?
Dominik
Honestly, just quiet time alone with my thoughts. Getting out for a run or swim to clear my head. I haven't gotten into meditation yet, though I probably should!
Host 1
What’s your life motto?
Dominik
Tough question on the spot!
Host 2
Put you right on the hot seat!
Dominik
One quote stuck with me from a high school art project. We had to create a piece centered around our favorite quote. A photo of it resurfaced on my phone recently: 'Every dream begins with a single step.' It’s simple, but that’s the mindset I live by.
Host 1
Love it. Dominik, our time is up. Honza and I want to thank you for coming on, sharing your journey, and giving us a peek inside bespoke leather craft and brand building.
Dominik
Thanks so much for having me, guys.
Host 2
Huge thanks, man. We’d love to have you back in a few years to see where the journey takes you.
Host 1
Big thanks to Newton University and Newton TV for making this podcast happen.
Host 2
And to everyone listening, make sure to...
