Baggu

Profile

Founded by San Diego natives and childhood best friends Emily Sugihara and Ellen Van Der Laan, Baggu started in 2007 with a simple, rip-stop nylon bag designed to be functional and durable. The Standard Baggu could be carried either over the shoulder or in hand, could hold up to 50 pounds, and was available in a plethora of appealing colors and patterns. Since then, they’ve extended their minimalist design to a variety of bags made of leather, canvas, nylon, and even a “wetsuit” bag, designed to be waterproof and billed as ideal for surfers. Their colorful store, located in the bustle of Williamsburg, features shoulder and tote bags of all sizes, as well as pouches and key chains made from scraps of fabric leftover from the construction of the bags. Leather pouches can be used as purse organizers that double as clutches (or, in a smaller size, as a wallet). The brand now carries military-style canvas backpacks, iPad cases, and laptop sleeves, as well as the standard nylon Baggu in sizes ranging from “baby” to “big.” — Erica Schwiegershausen