Freitag Bags and Accessories

For brothers Markus and Daniel Freitag, it started with the need for a messenger bag that would not become ruined and soaked should it rain on the bicycler who carried it. They ended up making their own bag, created from an old airplane tarpaulin, an inner tube and a bit of recycled seat belt. That one bag turned into a career for the brothers - with an online shop, and their products being sold all over the world. Materials Markus and Daniel continue to use the same materials they created that first bag with - old truck or airplane tarpaulins, inner tubes, airbags and seat belts. All of their materials are previously used, and end up creating amazing accessories rather than sitting in a land fill. They purchase their supplies from individuals who have tarps and the other materials that are not needed. While the materials must be in fairly good shape, the manufacturer's logo and marks are not recognizable on the finished bags. Pieces Freitag makes everything from adorable messenger bags in all sizes to tiny pouches and even luggage for trips! The greatest thing about each and every one of the pieces is that they are unique. Sometimes a bit of logo will be showing on the bag, while other times it will simply be a solid color. You absolutely have the option of choosing how loud or muted you want your bag to be. You can also choose whether there is an actual logo/design on the bag or it's just solid colors. How the Bags Are Made While that first bag was hand-sewn by the brothers, there is now a factory where more than 80 individuals work to create the Freitag products. The company receives the tarps or other products and checks them for wear and tear. When the usable pieces are chosen, they are washed in super-large washers and dryers. The material is then brushed down flat and the pieces for the bags is cut using a transparent pattern. This transparent pattern allows the workers to see what the finished bag will look like, so they know precisely where to cut in order to create the prettiest bag. It is then sewn together and checked for quality before undergoing a small photo shoot. The website shows you more about how each bag is made. Freitag bags are gorgeous eco-friendly luxury products, and a perfect addition to anyone's closet! Photo Credits: Freitag

Ting Creations

Who's in the driver's seat when it comes to eco-forward product ideas? Enter TING creations, a company that uses seatbelts to sculpt masterpieces in home décor and on-the-go fashion. With an assortment of colorful hammocks, luxury bags, and decorative pillows, TING turns one of the most common features of your car into sustainable products and accessories with a sleek, clean appeal. Decorate Your Home Woven from reclaimed seatbelts, TING cushions are not only visually intriguing, but also help reduce the amount of waste that millions of discarded, old cars produce each year. Interestingly, there are no zips or seams used in the construction of this cushion, which makes a pretty decent conversation piece amongst family and friends. Offering colors, such as pink, beige, blue, and black, I personally think the floral print cushion is absolutely amazing. Another product of the TING Home collection is this decorative cube (shown in lime), which falls under their line of home and interior accessories. Shown: Camel/Orange ($185); Floral Print On-the-Go Convenience TING Orange Label also produces a collection of luxury bags using seatbelts as a primary material. Tough, attractive, and ultra-durable, TING seatbelt bags offer designed pockets to carry around your precious Ipod, cell phone, and keys. Popular styles include satchels, messenger bags, laptop bags, and totes. Past clients that have enjoyed the TING Orange Label include Sketch Restaurant & Bar, London; Pilsner; and film and television companies, such as Warner Bros. Shown here is the small cosmetic bag, which comes in red, electric blue, turquoise, hot pink, orange, camel, chocolate and black. Relax and Reflect Providing stylish décor for trendy bars, restaurants, boutique hotels, as well as photo shoots, TING's colorful hammocks are increasingly making fashionable guest appearances in homes around the world. During the Spring 2008 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York, TING unveiled ideas for upcoming designs for their home collection – I can only imagine what's in store for us. About TING TING is the brainchild of Inghua Ting, who established her company in 2000 after graduating from the Royal College of Art. In Japan, Ting worked on developing fabrics of the future and pushed for innovative ways to embrace sustainability in design. Turning recycled materials into luxury products, Ting gained inspiration from old leather belts, reclaimed seatbelts, vintage leather saddles, tie silks, and salvaged fabrics. The rest is TING history. Today, vegetable tanned leathers and vintage leather belts are transformed into belts, satchels, weekend bags, and wallets of various sizes and shapes. The only left to say is 'bucket up' and enjoy a stylish ride through sustainable design with TING creations. Photo Credits: Ting