He's the man behind the carryall known as the D'Emploi Surplus Pack, and Kyle Mosholder definitely has the mind of a maker (he even enjoys an all-night design bender—see question two). Though the Brooklyn-based proprietor of soft-goods company d'emploi favors a Depression-era Singer sewing machine, his designs are anything but antiquated.

What was your inspiration for the D'Emploi Surplus Pack?
I am always trawling Army/Navy surplus places hidden in America. Those who’ve never served know the ubiquitous army duffle, seen countless times in newspapers and movies. I have found this to be an inexhaustible material and cultural resource. So for me, there was something very natural about re-envisioning this bag.

What is your day-to-day like?
Coffee, bagel, email, blog, cut, sew, order material, sew some more, pack, bike, ship, bike, etc. Definitely I feel the sharpest during mid-morning, but I love working late into the night on a crazed design bender. The thrill of making something new is completely unmatched for me.

In what ways do you consider yourself a “maker?"
I guess I am a maker of objects, but foremost a concept: d’emploi. I am a trained sculptor/welder but desire the ability to produce items functionally applicable to people’s daily lives. d’emploi is about how one spends time using their given body and mind. It’s about what we make, how we think, and what we can all do together, skills combined.

What are you working on currently?
Bags, bags, bags. Since they’re slowly becoming bigger and more complicated, I am focusing at present on a backpack under the $100 mark. It’ll be a simple and small daypack—all-American materials and craftsmanship—something well worth the money. And just a heads up, I recently found out i'm doing the Renegade Craft Fair here in Brooklyn on June 11-12. 

What does being a RM100 finalist mean to you?
For me, it means a lot! My surplus sack combines two of my passions equally: thrifting or sourcing vintage stuff and sewing useful bags. In addition, by putting my creations out there I meet SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE. Thanks RM!

Thanks for sharing, Kyle, and congratulations!