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Neharika Manjani profile imageNeharika ManjaniPublished on
10 homegrown bag brands you need to know about now

With social commitments crowding our calendars, we have a reason to buy bags again and these Indian labels have options aplenty

The last two years have pushed us to get creative with our wardrobes. We came up with the concept of “waist-up dressing,” which kept our statement earrings and pretty blouses from collecting dust by putting them to good use during virtual meetings. We also introduced “nap dresses”–a trend that was welcome because it gave us an excuse to wear our summer dresses around the house. However, there were still several items that we couldn’t find a purpose for at home and one of them was bags. Now that we’re slowly moving towards some semblance of normalcy and our calendars are filling up with social commitments yet again, we are making up for lost time by stocking up on bags in every shape and size from our favourite homegrown sources. These are some of the names on our list.

MistryYou know the crescent-shaped bags that you’re spotting on almost every fashion influencer you follow? They come courtesy of New Delhi-born brand Mistry which uses reclaimed leather from large factories to craft its many cool offerings ranging from shoulder bags to totes with bamboo handles. Fun fact: Their products are customisable–you can add your initials or opt for a broader shoulder strap with a pocket that accommodates your airpods. Shopmistry.com

Mistry

You know the crescent-shaped bags that you’re spotting on almost every fashion influencer you follow? They come courtesy of New Delhi-born brand Mistry which uses reclaimed leather from large factories to craft its many cool offerings ranging from shoulder bags to totes with bamboo handles. Fun fact: Their products are customisable–you can add your initials or opt for a broader shoulder strap with a pocket that accommodates your airpods.

Shopmistry.com

AdiseeBefore she founded Adisee, Aditi Khorana worked with Strathberry, a Scottish brand whose crossbody bags and totes are famous for being a mainstay in Meghan Markle’s closet. Today, Khorana’s own brand, which combines classic colours with structured detailing to create everyday leather bags that are far from boring, has garnered quite the fan following. Adisee.co.in

Adisee

Before she founded Adisee, Aditi Khorana worked with Strathberry, a Scottish brand whose crossbody bags and totes are famous for being a mainstay in Meghan Markle’s closet. Today, Khorana’s own brand, which combines classic colours with structured detailing to create everyday leather bags that are far from boring, has garnered quite the fan following.

Adisee.co.in

MokobaraJetsetters will attest that the ingredients of an insouciant yet impactful airport look always include chic cabin luggage. So, if you’re in the market for something that will carry and compartmentalise your belongings in style, Bengaluru-based brand Mokobara’s suitcases are made in many shades and sizes. There are options both light and bright, big and small, and are just as stylish as they are sturdy. Mokobara.com

Mokobara

Jetsetters will attest that the ingredients of an insouciant yet impactful airport look always include chic cabin luggage. So, if you’re in the market for something that will carry and compartmentalise your belongings in style, Bengaluru-based brand Mokobara’s suitcases are made in many shades and sizes. There are options both light and bright, big and small, and are just as stylish as they are sturdy.

Mokobara.com

Wicker WeavesIt’s hard to not love a brand that ups both the cool and conscious quotient of your closet. Founded by accessory designer Tanvi Shah and interior designer Niyati Shah, Wicker Weaves uses rattan to make cruelty-free bags that feature finishing touches in the form of faux leather detailing, pretty pearls and chunky chains. They are just the breath of fresh air your brunch wardrobe ordered. Instagram.com/wicker_weaves

Wicker Weaves

It’s hard to not love a brand that ups both the cool and conscious quotient of your closet. Founded by accessory designer Tanvi Shah and interior designer Niyati Shah, Wicker Weaves uses rattan to make cruelty-free bags that feature finishing touches in the form of faux leather detailing, pretty pearls and chunky chains. They are just the breath of fresh air your brunch wardrobe ordered.

Instagram.com/wicker_weaves

Sneha BagrechaSeveral years ago, Sneha Bagrecha left behind the stiffness of the corporate world to satisfy her creative cravings. Today, she travels across India in search of artisans who use traditional and non-mechanised methods to craft her eponymous brand’s wide variety of clutches, including a particularly popular one with a supersized stone at its clasp. Influencer Masoom Minawala was recently seen holding on to an ivory iteration at the 75th Cannes Film Festival. Instagram.com/snehabagrechaofficial

Sneha Bagrecha

Several years ago, Sneha Bagrecha left behind the stiffness of the corporate world to satisfy her creative cravings. Today, she travels across India in search of artisans who use traditional and non-mechanised methods to craft her eponymous brand’s wide variety of clutches, including a particularly popular one with a supersized stone at its clasp. Influencer Masoom Minawala was recently seen holding on to an ivory iteration at the 75th Cannes Film Festival.

Instagram.com/snehabagrechaofficial

NomadaIf you’re headed to sun-dappled shores, you’ll want to save some space in your suitcase for bags from Mumbai-based accessory brand Nomada, founded by Sanaa Ruia and Divya Batra. Their meticulously hand-embroidered holiday bags, which span clutches, belt bags and large totes, come bearing patterns spanning exotic birds, evil eyes and palm trees. Nomada.in

Nomada

If you’re headed to sun-dappled shores, you’ll want to save some space in your suitcase for bags from Mumbai-based accessory brand Nomada, founded by Sanaa Ruia and Divya Batra. Their meticulously hand-embroidered holiday bags, which span clutches, belt bags and large totes, come bearing patterns spanning exotic birds, evil eyes and palm trees.

Nomada.in

Chamar StudioThe brainchild of artist Sudheer Rajbhar, Chamar Studio seeks to support and spotlight the skills of workers from the Dalit community, who were displaced after the 2015 beef ban made it difficult for them to access nappa leather. Today, 50 per cent of the earnings from the brand’s eco-friendly and electric-hued bags, which replace leather with recycled rubber, go to the artisans behind them. Chamar.in

Chamar Studio

The brainchild of artist Sudheer Rajbhar, Chamar Studio seeks to support and spotlight the skills of workers from the Dalit community, who were displaced after the 2015 beef ban made it difficult for them to access nappa leather. Today, 50 per cent of the earnings from the brand’s eco-friendly and electric-hued bags, which replace leather with recycled rubber, go to the artisans behind them.

Chamar.in

Jute SmartIf you were asked to describe jute, your go-to words would probably include simple, sustainable or durable but playful would not be your first choice. Jute Smart, a brand from Kolkata, is changing what the material means, one psychedelic top handle at a time. Count on their latest drop, made of dizzying prints and highlighter hues, to brighten up even the most pared-back basics. Jutesmart.com

Jute Smart

If you were asked to describe jute, your go-to words would probably include simple, sustainable or durable but playful would not be your first choice. Jute Smart, a brand from Kolkata, is changing what the material means, one psychedelic top handle at a time. Count on their latest drop, made of dizzying prints and highlighter hues, to brighten up even the most pared-back basics.

Jutesmart.com

Swarang DesignsWhat first strikes you when you browse through New Delhi-based brand Swarang’s many offerings is the diversity. It’s almost hard to put your finger on a common thread but on closer inspection you do discover one. What binds the designs that are as varied as leather clutches and multi-hued cloth crossbody bags is a goal to shed light on not one but several of the country’s crafts. Each item on their website is accompanied by a strong backstory that shares the age-old technique at its core as well as the names and roles of the artisans who created it. Swarangdesigns.com

Swarang Designs

What first strikes you when you browse through New Delhi-based brand Swarang’s many offerings is the diversity. It’s almost hard to put your finger on a common thread but on closer inspection you do discover one. What binds the designs that are as varied as leather clutches and multi-hued cloth crossbody bags is a goal to shed light on not one but several of the country’s crafts. Each item on their website is accompanied by a strong backstory that shares the age-old technique at its core as well as the names and roles of the artisans who created it.

Swarangdesigns.com

KaerosCo-founded by Kritika Aggarwal Gupta and Shreeda Chakraborty in 2018, Kaeros puts a statement spin on staple silhouettes such as bucket bags, totes and top handles by adding high-wattage hues, shiny studs and python prints to the mix. For those who love accessorising their accessories, the brand also offers a fun range of chain straps, initial charms and flaps. Kaeros.co

Kaeros


Co-founded by Kritika Aggarwal Gupta and Shreeda Chakraborty in 2018, Kaeros puts a statement spin on staple silhouettes such as bucket bags, totes and top handles by adding high-wattage hues, shiny studs and python prints to the mix. For those who love accessorising their accessories, the brand also offers a fun range of chain straps, initial charms and flaps.

Kaeros.co

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