Our Favorite Makers (Rest of the World)

by Carry HQ, February 10, 2017

Making something can be easy. But making it well is where the challenge comes in. Honing techniques and skills, learning from past mistakes, building on and improving designs, and accepting nothing less than world-class quality is hard work. Luckily for the world of carry, the makers below (excluding the U.S.A.) aren’t afraid of hard work. In fact, it pushes them to excel, which is why they’re our favorite makers from around the world…

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Roberu

This Japanese brand has made a name for itself through its meticulously handcrafted leather goods. Roberu offers a variety of pieces that elegantly merge style and function including wallets, camera straps and holders, phone cases and bags.

Thisispaper

Thisispaper is a multidisciplinary design studio based in Warsaw, Poland. Their intriguing carry pieces give a nod to fashion-friendly aesthetics while delivering practical designs. Balancing versatility with clean and minimalist silhouettes, they can adapt to both work and play environments..

HERZ

HERZ have been handcrafting beautiful carry in Japan since 1973. The respected brand is dedicated to making designs that are durable and practical, while also bringing a sense of pleasure in everyday use. Take a more detailed peek into the creative process in our HERZ shop visit.

RUKI-KRYKI

RUKI-KRYKI is a Russian carry brand founded by architect and designer Vladimir Kovalev. Based in Barnaul, Vladimir makes a variety of leather goods by hand using Russian raw materials. His understated designs are both beautiful and durable, and the kind of pieces that you can’t help but appreciate for their attention to detail and ability to slip easily into daily use.

Tailfeather

The Australian carry brand Tailfeather was founded by husband and wife team Scottie and Natalia. Working out of a studio on the Bellarine Peninsula, they craft elegant and minimalist pieces by hand with materials such as Australian-made canvas and kangaroo leather. Practical and hard-wearing, Tailfeather pieces are both aesthetically pleasing and able to take years of demanding use in stride.

Isaac Reina

Isaac Reina gained design experience working with fashion industry heavyweights such as Hermès before founding his own brand in 2006. Crafted in France, the brand’s pieces exude a refined balance of chic simplicity and timeless design.

abrAsus

Compact pocket carry can often sacrifice functionality for space-saving form. However, that’s not the case with abrAsus. Their thoughtful wallets and card cases manage to deliver organization and access without the bulk. Crafted in Japan, their pieces are not only practical but stylish enough to suit a range of settings too.

Porter

One of our favorite Japanese carry brands, Porter have built up a solid reputation through exceptional craftsmanship, functional designs, and urban-friendly styling. The brand was created by Yoshida & Co. in 1962, and has a diverse product offering that ranges from business carry to EDC.

Trakke

Firm believers that adventure can be found anywhere, Trakke make bags to help you go out and seek it, whether it’s on bustling city streets or remote mountain peaks. Based in Glasgow, the Scottish brand make a point of sourcing British-made materials for crafting their durable, sleek and versatile designs.

Treesizeverse

Ronald Ceuppens, the founder of Treesizeverse, crafts his unique and eye-catching pieces by hand in his home studio in Belgium. His creations feature a mix of materials including vintage and recycled fabrics, waxed canvas and leather. To learn more check out our Treesizeverse interview here.

Böle Tannery

When a carry brand’s customers include royalty, you know they’re making top-notch pieces. That’s certainly the case with Böle Tannery who are purveyors to the Swedish royal court. The tannery is a fourth generation family business with an extensive history dating back to 1899, and is the world’s last remaining spruce bark tannery. Delve deeper into the tannery’s creative design and crafting process here.

Stitch Leather Goods

Attractively minimalist and clean, the pieces from Stitch Leather Goods are carefully made by hand from a studio based in Klaipėda, Lithuania. Understated offerings range from card holders and travel wallets, to e-reader cases and phone sleeves.

Bleu de Chauffe

Bleu de Chauffe is a French brand that takes design inspiration from the industrial era of the 20th century, merging fashion and function into each bag. The brand’s workshop is based in Aveyron, and each piece is signed and dated by the artisan who made it. In addition to simple and stylish practicality, Bleu de Chauffe also places importance on the proximity and traceability of product components in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

Bedouin Foundry

Bedouin Foundry are strong proponents of buying quality and buying it once, and they craft their pieces to reflect that. Made by hand in England, their bags are tough enough to go the distance, while delivering effortless casual-chic to your EDC. In addition to English craftsmanship, the bags also feature labels and custom hand-printed linings made in England.

bagjack

bagjack can trace its roots back to a bike messenger bag crafted in 1993, though today the Berlin-based brand offers a variety of handmade bags. Offerings range from their Classics line to the premium NXL lines, with practicality and durability front and center.