🌿 The Journey of a Crossbody Bag: From Jungle to You

We are so excited! Our next collection of handcrafted crossbody bags is nearly ready. Each one has an adjustable leather strap and a unique pattern and shape. That’s the magic of handmade items—no two are ever the same.

These beautiful bags come from deep in the jungle, where talented weavers create them by hand. The material they use is rattan, a strong vine that grows in the forest. But sadly, good-quality rattan is getting harder to find.

Rattan doesn’t grow just anywhere. It climbs up tall trees for support, so it can only grow in untouched forests. When the jungle is cut down, the rattan disappears too. Now, the men must travel far and wide to find what was once a common plant.

Years ago, all weaving was done with rattan. But now, because of the shortage, many crafts are made with plastic instead. We are proud to still use natural rattan, even though it takes much more time and care.

Here’s how each bag is made:

1. First, the rattan is found and carefully cut.

2. Next, the outer layer is stripped away to reveal smooth stems inside.

3. The stems are then cut into thin, equal-width strips.

4. Some of these are boiled with special jungle leaves to create deep browns, blacks, and greys.

5. These dyed strips are buried in the soil—this fixes the colour so it doesn’t run when washed, keeping the pattern as beautiful as the day it was created.

6. Finally, weavers use both dyed and natural strips to create stunning designs.

Even a small bag can take months to finish!

Each bag is also fitted with a leather strap that adjusts to suit all body types. These straps are strong and long-lasting—unlike many bags, these handles won’t break. We also use leather-covered magnetic clasps, and the final touches are done by expert tailors.

The whole process takes five months or more, but we believe it’s worth every minute. When you carry one of these crossbody bags, you’re not just holding something beautiful—you’re carrying a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and care.