Velimir Buchev & Andon Georgiev

Mental Syndicate

Bag maker

Bags and workwear with a stylish twist

Andon and Velimir set up their workshop Mental Syndicate together
They handcraft durable, functional and stylish workwear and bags
They love to work with raw denim

In 2014, self-taught Bulgarian artisans Andon Georgiev and Velimir Buchev founded their workshop, to handcraft aprons for baristas, bartenders, and chefs. The project began when Velimir participated in Bulgaria's first Barista Jam and needed an apron. A passion for creating exquisite professional uniforms was born. This passion was soon met with interest from owners of restaurants, bars, barbershops, concept stores, and coffee shops, who began ordering stylish uniforms for their employees. “Our initial idea was to make custom aprons for baristas, crafted from raw denim, but we soon realised we were capable of much more,” Andon explains. “Today, you can see our aprons in the best restaurants, cocktail bars, coffee shops, barbershops, and many other places across Sofia, and beyond for international clients like La Marzocco, Brita, as well as Heineken and Carlsberg among others.” As the business grew, Boris Etov joined the team and the trio opened their own creative space and workshop to fully embrace their craft in 2018. “By blending raw denim, canvas, linen, natural leather, and the finest reinforcing elements, we aim to make our products your loyal companion for years to come,” Andon says. Today, their workshop has become a popular destination for tourists in Sofia.

Interview

When and how did you start designing aprons?: Everything started with the idea of creating durable, functional and stylish aprons that would help people perform their tasks effortlessly and make their workwear something that distinguishes them as individuals. We established our workshop in 2014 after one of us needed a functional apron for the first Barista Jam in Bulgaria.
How do you define your style?: The style we follow is characterised by our personal philosophy: “Don’t copy, inspire.” The word 'utility' is also fundamental to our personal style. The restaurant industry is demanding and we wanted to bring a bit of coolness, while also ensuring comfort which contributes to a good mood. This led to the idea of creating backpacks and accessories.
What is the biggest challenge in your work?: The biggest challenge is to find quality materials because in Bulgaria it can be very difficult to find them initially. Secondly, being a small business making handmade products makes it extremely hard to establish contacts at first. We do not regret the path we have trodden and would do it all again in the same way.
Where do you find your inspiration?: Our inspiration comes from many different directions, but primarily from functionality and durability, so that our products stand the test of time. We are inspired by products that provide visual pleasure.

Velimir Buchev & Andon Georgiev are expert artisans: they began their career in 2014