Gotta love Berlin’s swagger.

Berlin is the creative workshop of Germany, a trendsetter and a capital of fashion, design and music. The perfect city to gain some fresh inspiration for O My Bag. Today more than 20,000 artists live in the city. It is this creative force that lies behind the city’s distinctive vibe. There’s a sense of peace and freedom in the air here – in stark contrast to the days when Berlin was responsible for unthinkable crimes. With its rough yet friendly charm and cosmopolitan vibe, the perfect fit for O My Bag. I feel invigorated by the progressive spirit of optimism that engulfs the city. Hereby a little impression of a very fun weekend in this lovely city!

Love, Paulien

1 week ago

uncovet:

Humanitarian and creator of O My Bag, Paulien Wesselink, chats with us about the core of what makes her bags unique, smart and progressive.

What were the ideas or characteristics that lead you to design the “Dirty Harry” bag? 

I was searching high and low for that classic vintage bag; one made of rich, yet elegant leather and a smart functional design. It had to be perfect for work, but also casual enough for when going out for brunch in the city. 

So I created a modern schoolbag which became the signature piece of the collection and really started it all for O My Bag. 

I went with a rugged-chic look with eco-leather to present a cool vintage style. I also knew that nobody likes to deal with doing and undoing buckles all day, so the zipper became the “eureka” moment of the design process and the buckles were design for show. Classic vintage but designed for more modern everyday needs.


How do you name your bags?

The signature pieces are Dirty Harry, Frankie Fierce, and Sleazy Jane. My friends and I came up with these names during the very first brainstorm about the brand. We even considered naming the whole company Dirty Harry because we loved it so much. It was from then we decided to name every bag we designed. Some are named after colleagues; like the Betsy Petit. The Lou’s Big Bag is named after one of my good friends; I used to have my first office in the corner of her wooden furniture shop.

Can you tell us a couple things that you did with your company to better the world? Specifically about how they get made?


I made the first bag myself, but decided pretty quickly to leave the bag making to the pros and find myself a manufacturer. That wasn’t too easy. I not only had high standards for the leather and the labor conditions, but also for things like water and energy management and also safety and transportation. It was a long journey and I visited many producers and tanneries. It took two month-long trips, a year’s time and a lot of disillusionment, but I’ve finally found a great producer. They are a local fair trade organization in India that offers education and jobs to the economically and physically challenged. The workers are given fair wage and work under fair conditions. Creating jobs for minorities in India is our way of contributing to important Millennium Goals, like fighting poverty and the empowerment of women. The bags are made in a flourishing environment where men and women are proudly working on O My Bags.
O My Bag is a handbag design company founded by Paulien Wesselink, who is based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The bags are manufactured through a fair trade organization located in India. 
Paulien Wesselink photo - courtesy of O My Bag
Shop the bags: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 
1 month ago

India Wrap-Up Spring 2013

INDIA! 

Paulien and I were lucky to spent 8 incredible days in India, mostly spending our time in Kolkata (formerly called ‘Calcutta’) and neighboring villages, visiting old and new producers, and working on creating some new designs. We were inspired by these meetings with our producers, who are dedicated and enthusiastic in their collaborations with us. We made some fun updates to the core collection as well as some totally new products that we literally can’t WAIT to share with you all! OH we wish we could show you pictures…!! Soon :)

We also popped by to say hello to our warm and hospitable tanner Patrick Lee, and check what new kinds of cool leather he’s making these days. We might have some  s u r p r i s e s  coming your way this summer/fall! Shhh!

At the end of this wild, non-stop 8 days of hard work, Paulien and I still couldn’t help but be amazed at the gorgeous place where O My Bags are born, and at the hands of such kind-hearted people! 

We love India!

XOXO,
Betsy & Paulien

1 month ago

Enjoy some pics from the India travels…

Cheers!

xo,

Paulien & Betsy

2 months ago

Meet the team - Founder of O My Bag Paulien Wesselink

O My Bag Passport

Name: Paulien Wesselink
Job: Founder of O My Bag
Favorite O My Bag: Dirty Harry
Fun fact: Paulien is a massive Oprah fan!

Meet Paulien, Founder of O My Bag. She is 28 years old and graduated Liberal Arts and International Relations at Utrecht University. She started this business from a belief that the choices we make as a consumer can improve our global society. After graduation, she spent a semester in New York studying business management. The concrete jungle inspired her to think about creating a social business venture, which turned out to become: O My Bag.

What is the inspiration behind the bags?
The cool vintage character of the eco-leather inspires their design and their rugged-chic look. The modern schoolbag is the signature piece of the collection and is what started it all for O My Bag. I was searching high and low for that classic vintage bag as a point of inspiration. The zipper at the backside made the design. Nobody wants to deal with doing and undoing buckles up to 10 times a day, the zipper at the back that ends up in the main part of the bag, was the ‘eureka’ moment of the design process. I thought: “This is the ultimate answer!”

O My Bags are made in India, what will be the next step?
As our organization grows, we will be delighted to see our suppliers, tanners, and manufacturers’ organizations grow with us. Providing work is hugely helpful, but we are also looking into other areas where we can make a difference. We are looking to work together with NGO’s in the Kolkata region. Our aim is to make a positive change in the countries we work with. Sell beautiful bags that make the world a little bit better.

What do you personally like about India?
I truly love Kolkata. Even though the streets are much more grubby that I am used to, the spectacle of the streets is beautiful and I love the green of the trees along with the yellow of the taxi’s. It is always buzzing, the perfect vibe to go along with the thrill designing new collections and improving the label.

2 months ago

O My Bag style: our guys

We like seeing stylish guys on the streets. We looked online for you and picked out some inspiration for you. O My Bags are also a perfect fit for men. Whether you’re wearing a suit, casual attire or a sport look you can style our bags really well.

How to style the Dirty Harry

We like seeing the Dirty Harry on guys, because of his boxy look you will be able to wear your Dirty Harry to work as an ultimate business bag. Get your bag here.

How to style Woody Backpacker, Loey’s big bag and Laptop sleeve

Put all your necessities in your Woody Backpacker when going to a festival or a party. When you’re in town and need to do some errands don’t forget your Loey’s big bag where pretty much everything will fit. The Laptop sleeve is of course for your laptop, but can also be used as an accessories piece. Get them here.

How to style the Frankie Fierce

The Frankie Fierce comes with a cool chain. Available in three different colours, this bag you can use for almost every occasion. On your way to school? Or maybe going to see a friend? He will be your best friend. Get your Frankie Fierce here.

2 months ago

Today is International Women’s Day!

As you probably already know O My Bags are made by women in India. They get hired by our producers that work for EMA and they follow the ten principles that are set up by the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). This means they stimulate things like good work environments and create work places for women in India in need.

We want to celebrate these amazing, inspiring and beautiful women in India who make this world a more colourful place.

Love, the O My Bag team.

2 months ago
This is the beautiful environment, where O My Bags are made. Kolkata, India Feb 2013.

This is the beautiful environment, where O My Bags are made. Kolkata, India Feb 2013.

2 months ago
A sunny day of designing with our new producer in Kolkata. Ooeeh, the new summer collection will be banging!!

A sunny day of designing with our new producer in Kolkata. Ooeeh, the new summer collection will be banging!!

2 months ago

Yesterday were the Oscars and we loved the fact that Jennifer Lawrence received the Oscar for Best Actress. We at O My Bag love a gal with a good sense of humor. Be sure to check out her movie Silver Linings Playbook! It’s brilliant!

2 months ago