1/10
Zagond
Many people start a brand because they need a solution for their own personal needs, and realise it could help others too! This is what happened in the case of Ramóna Nádasi and Lili Varga who simply wanted to design a bag for their own use that was comfortable, a bit sporty, and goes well with an urban wardrobe. It was also intended to be just as practical to wear while on a bike as on foot. This is how MINIMAL was born, inspired by the sack of couriers, although the end result is an improved, more sophisticated, cleverly thought-out version. Its material is strong and the heavy-duty leather straps, which can also have a metallic gloss, are positioned at critical points. Even though the sack is “top-loading”, it still has a zippered pocket that can be opened on the side. The best news is that these backpacks are made in three sizes, so we can decide whether we want to be the owner of a size S, M or L urban accessory.
Price: from 50 000 HUF
Available at: Zerka, Győr, Wine and Go webshop
2/10
Juhasz Dora
Dóra Juhász sure knows what makes a backpack perfectly practical, since she spent the past five years designing leather bags, backpacks, wallets and various cases. One of her most popular items is the beautiful, simple backpack that might be low-key in form, but has a design which is likely to show our own character in the end. The designer works only with high quality leather that becomes even more beautiful with time. We can choose safe, basic colours that match everything, bold hues or even a dyed-hair version. Naturally, there are ready-made pieces of the unisex model, but we can also buy customised backpacks. These practical bags can hold anything that we might need, be it a laptop, books, or even sports equipment – because of its size, it is even perfect for a weekend outing.
Price: 36 500 HUF
Available at: Lucky Shepherd Showroom, wonderLAB
3/10
POPO
Even the brand name is playful, not to mention the fabric and leather backpacks themselves. POPO offers a variety of clothes and bags, and each piece is the result of enthusiastic teamwork. The brand was founded by four designers: Barbara Badacsonyi-Móga who is responsible for the bags and other accessories, Réka Sümegi who designs the patterns of the used materials, Apol Temesi who designs the unique fabrics of the bags, and Borbála Vértesi who dreams up the clothing line. Our favourites are the fabric and leather backpacks, which act as bon bons of happiness in the sometimes grey urban life. Dynamic and bold colors, friendly designs, which are inspired by a different story every season. This year’s summer collection was inspired by the story of a rather diverse team, the Town Musicians of Bremen.
Price: 37 500 HUF
Available at: Heinrich Creative Workshop, wonderLAB (from March)
4/10
AGNESKOVACS leather design
The brand offering high quality bags – and lately, jewelry – has one of the most promising lines among the local bag market. The sleek, simple cut models are always made from a single piece of material. Their beauty comes from the sophisticated materials and perfect proportions. A graphic designer, Enikő Déri also contributed to this collection called Breakline, which shows on both the folding form factor of the bags and their centre-adjusted patterns. The seven-part, quite minimalistic series is also complemented by jewellery, and the backpacks are only available in black, premium quality cowhide leather and felt and cross materials.
Price: leather backpack - 70 000 HUF, felt and cross backpack - 44 000 HUF
Available at: Black Box Concept Store, Rododendron Art&Design Shop or through e-mail
5/10
Blind Chic
Blind Chic was one of the first fashion brands that respond specifically to the need of the cyclist subculture was founded by fashion designer Juli Vesmás and Slovenian graphic designer Neza Petereca in the summer of 2011. Their relationship started with a bicycle tour on the Ljubljana-Budapest axis, but the real adventure was yet to begin. Constant movement and wandering is still present in their designs, as well as simplicity, durability and functionalism. The starting point is the 21st century nomadic lifestyle that seeks independence, and where frequent locomotion is the part of our life regardless of culture. Blind Chic now offers a variety of backpacks, so choosing will not be an easy task.
Price: from 30 000 HUF
Available at: Café Analóg, Kontakt Store, Lollipop Factory Budapest, Retrock
6/10
Jurekka
We love old-school stuff, especially when it comes to fashion. The brand of Judit Járadi and Réka Halmai plays on this trend and resurrects the world of classic fake leather schoolbags with a hint of nostalgia and irony, but still catering to the expectations of the 21st century lifestyle. The series Newschool introduces bags made from real leather and with meticulous handwork, characterised by traditionally bulky, angular shapes, distinctive buckles, as well as contrasting, bright and energetic colours. We can stuff these backpacks with books, but they are more likely to give space to laptops and tablets. The designers know this well, which is why the interior design of each Jurekka bag is specifically tailored to the needs of our machines. At the same time, each piece is full of life and happiness, without a trace of the usual boring and uniform laptop bags.
Price: from 90 000 HUF
Available at: Mono art & design, TheGardenStudio, wonderLAB
7/10
KAG
Exciting closing mechanisms and folds - a nice geometric game all in the name of bags. This is KAG. The models drawn along parallels, perpendiculars and diagonals can all be worn in different ways; the bags can be folded, and so their packable space can be doubled. There is no need for two bags when traveling or for ugly plastic bags after grocery shopping. This duffle bag fits sleekly on our back even when it is empty. KAG bags have a long life expectancy: the leather is beautiful and durable, and the blue canvas is a perfectly impregnated, UV-resistant, Teflon-coated and made with high-tech material. If you would like to break with the conventions but do not like extra attention then these bags are for you. As the icing on the cake, if you order one of these backpacks, you will receive a handcrafted, individually numbered piece.
Price: approx. 36 500 HUF
Available at: Flatlab, WonderLAB
8/10
Hajdú Anett
If you like animals, the brand new backpack collection of Anett Hajdú will be sure to entice you. For those familiar with Hungarian designers this name might ring a bell; a few years ago she took part in the foundation of Kepp Showroom, and then worked as a designer for NUBU. The nice little bag named Kis Farkas ('little wolf') is a feminine piece in every detail: its curved form and soft, furry leather material captivated us at first sight. Each model of the recently debuted collection has its own personality, and represents the character of a wild animal. According to Anett, the series was inspired by the blend of harmony and conflict between women and animal characters. One thing is for sure: we would caress these foxes, sheep and wolves anytime.
Price: 165 850 HUF
Available at: online
