handsome bag co.

Challenge

This series has become our signature piece. First conceived of in 2009 by Billy Potts, these bags and wallets are made from the ubiquitous vinyl upholstery found in most Hong Kong taxis. This is an exercise in elegant minimal design with sustainability in mind.

Design upscale products from waste taxi upholstery
Create a compelling brand and marketing around these products
Address environmental issues on waste
Involve local community and craftspeople
Draw reference from Hong Kong culture

Solution

The material’s origin is subtly referenced in the red colour scheme of interiors and stitching- a nod to the distinctive red livery of Hong Kong taxis. These products were developed and made in Hong Kong with the help of Hong Kong craftspeople who applied their skills to this new design problem. We are still collaborating with the same family run upholstery shop in North Point.

Create a range of bags, watches and wallets with the material
Manufacture in small quantities with local craftspeople
Coordinate a mutually beneficial relationship with upholstery shops
Create Handsome Bag Co. as the overall brand

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Featured

Small Family Business

The idea was born in this small family run upholstery shop in Tai Hang. The shop has now moved to North Point but was still collaborate with them.

Material With Personality

There were challenges to using the material. It had to be cleaned, it was all the same colour - black, it was plentiful but didn't come according to any set schedule.

Learning and Adapting

After studying the vinyl's properties, it's strengths and weaknesses we decided to put its durable and waterproof capabilities to making bags.

Construction

We soon learned how to use the material - to construct products like origami out of single bent rather than folded sheets, how to conserve and cut with minimal wastage.

A Small Story About Hong Kong

The upholstery shop owner, Mr. Ng, always says that the material is a small part of Hong Kong's story. Its something that everyone in Hong Kong can relate to.

Because of this we emphasized the material's origin rather than hiding it. The distinctive red livery of Hong Kong taxis is referenced in the red lining, the familiar 'stitching' pattern is integrated into the design not disguised. Seatbelt webbing is used for handles.

HK Women's Worker Assocation for Handsome Bag Co.

We collaborated with local Hong Kong seamstresses at the Women Worker's Association to work out the nuances and quirks of this special material.

Home Sew for Handsome Bag Co.

We further developed the design of the bags worked another seamstress, Mrs. Kwan, in Mong Kok.

The Old Neighbourhood

We still take inspiration from Tai Hang and often go back.

Outcome

This project started everything for us. It has garnered international attention having been featured on CNN and been the subject of numerous lectures and talks at the Polytechnic University's School of Design, Monash University,the Baptist University School of Art, Lingnan University and the University of Hong Kong and several others. We were awarded Perspective Magazine's prestigous 40 Under 40 Award for this project and named one of Asia's top up and coming young designers.

Product line was succesful
Recipient of several design awards
Press attention was leveraged to bring attention to social and environmental issues