We design bags and accessories that keep up with modern life—smart, stylish essentials made for the multi-dimensional mover and shaker. In 2010, our founder Helen Lo had back issues and needed a stylish yet functional bag that kept up with her frequent travels, so she set out to create it. Her two devoted sons Jan and Derek ditched their respective day jobs in product design research and advertising (and nightly gigs as DJ’s) to help make Helen’s dream a reality. We are intentional in all our business choices, from product development and manufacturing, to the delivery process and returns. At our core, we want to see our customers out in the world: exploring, connecting, working, and discovering. And while we obsess over products' design and functionality, we’re equally concerned with our larger impact on the environment. We’re committed to sourcing and utilizing the highest-quality sustainable materials, a process that requires extensive research, user testing, and iteration to ensure we make products with durability and longevity for our customers. No detail is overlooked—we're not only improving the body and lining materials of our existing and future products, but every component in between, because every element matters when creating products built to last. In the manufacturing and shipping of any consumer goods, there’s a lot of unnecessary waste from bubble wrap, protective coverings, and even hang tags. So in 2019, we started a full-scale packaging audit to reevaluate what is truly essential in our production process, limiting waste and moving towards recycled and recyclable materials. One change we are especially proud of is the transition to certified recycled and recyclable plastic packaging. We take into account an array of aspects from the design to the materials, and are constantly striving to eliminate as much unnecessary waste as possible while ensuring our products make their way to you in pristine condition. We have made major strides, from custom designing a shipping box for some of our best-selling collections, to removing all foam packaging in our wallets, to eliminating plastic coverings on our hardware where possible. We have transitioned to 100% recycled dust bags and hang tags; we even improved on small details such as using recycled string and soy-based ink for our hang tags. While we expand our sustainable practices, it will take time to integrate sustainability into all elements of our business—from our supply chain to fulfillment operations. As a small business, we need to prioritize rigorously. To do so, we’ve created an internal sustainability board that ensures we’re progressing and pushing ourselves to be ambitious. For example, we are working towards becoming a B Certified business (B Corp), which would mean we’ve met “the highest standards of verified environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.” Materials like “vegan leather” are great for those looking to avoid animal products, but they’re not harmless. Many vegan leathers (specifically PVC) are a form of plastic; therefore, they aren’t biodegradable and they can contain harmful chemicals that damage the environment. In the past, we opted to mainly use traditional leather over “vegan” leather, until we found a plant-based alternative and introduced our Nopal cactus leather line. We continue to research emerging resources that offer a promise of sustainability, are non-toxic, and allow us to uphold the high standard of quality that defines our products. Internally, we have to weigh this kind of tension when choosing materials, and we always prioritize with our customers’ best interests in mind. We’re driven to create positive impact—not just for the planet, but for people. We feel our business should generate profits and do good. That’s why we partner with non-profits and contribute to positive social initiatives that we believe in.