Carrier evolution
Thanks to some funky local designers, messenger bags have become fine art.The Pony Express made utility bags a must-have, but they’ve come a long way since their days on horseback. You might remember the Manhattan Portage of the ’80s or the custom Chrome bags carried by workers for failed dot-com delivery service Kozmo.com. Now San Francisco artists have taken the reins, morphing the courier bag into an inventive, highly personal creation. While the bags are designed for bikers, all kinds of on-the-go urban dwellers use one these days to schlep their stuff. Here are our five favorite companies in this exploding market.
1
THE RECYCLER
Avid cyclist Steve Wong founded Lovelife based on his desire to find a market for otherwise wasted goods. Working out of a crowded basement near 16th and Mission Streets, Wong’s staff have collected more than 300 types of reclaimed upholstery from salvaged or dead stock; they get leftover vinyl from convention banners. Each finished product—whether it’s a classic messenger bag, a Japanese-style book bag, a backpack, or a custom-designed shape—is one of a kind. lovelifebags.com
2
THE UTILITARIAN
Designed specifically for peddlers, Zugster Bags sit snuggly on your upper back, eliminating that annoying flopping factor. Owner Adam Alpern creates a custom-sewn design for each purchaser. Customers bring him ideas—a photograph of a tiger, say, or a drawing of a peace sign—that he re-creates by sewing fabric directly onto the bag. Alpern is a hobbyist with a day job, so he has only enough time to make four dozen bags a year. He’s currently booked up until the spring, so start thinking now about next year’s holiday gift list. zugsterbags.com
3
THE PIONEER
Twenty years ago, San Francisco bike messenger Rob Honeycutt put his knack for the needle to use, and Timbuk2 was born. Today, the company brings in local artists for guest stints designing its custom line, made here in San Francisco and sold online and in Timbuk2’s only retail store, in Hayes Valley. Customers can also play artist by building a bag online or with specialty fabrics at the boutique. (Timbuk2’s Classic and Metro ready-to-wear styles are now made overseas.) One of these durable bags will last until you move on to the next fad—but you probably won’t want to part with it. 506 Hayes St., 415-252-9860, timbuk2.com
4
THE URBANIST
Ramblin’ Worker’s Steve MacDonald made his first bag in the mid-’90s. Although he has showcased his work across the world (including in Paris and Tokyo) at bike and art shows, he prefers to spend time in the Bay Area, where he still meets with all of his customers individually to discuss their perfect bag. McDonald’s specialty is sewing doodles (sailboats, cats, skylines) directly onto each bag. He has also designed a few Timbuk2 artist editions. ramblinworker.com
5
THE PAINTER
Kelty Luber got the idea to start Satchel Studio from her hometown, Portland—the most bike-friendly city in the country. Now a San Franciscan, Luber creates piecemeal designs based on her own drawings, travel photos, and other art, which she heat-presses onto Army surplus and wholesale organic bags. She then adds the finishing touches by hand using a palate of acrylic paints. The colorful images enliven her otherwise understated bags. 415-398-3283, satchel-studio.com
Main photo: Roxanne Swaminathan and Evan Torres-McKay assemble messenger bags in Lovelife’s basement space in the Mission.
1
THE RECYCLER
Avid cyclist Steve Wong founded Lovelife based on his desire to find a market for otherwise wasted goods. Working out of a crowded basement near 16th and Mission Streets, Wong’s staff have collected more than 300 types of reclaimed upholstery from salvaged or dead stock; they get leftover vinyl from convention banners. Each finished product—whether it’s a classic messenger bag, a Japanese-style book bag, a backpack, or a custom-designed shape—is one of a kind. lovelifebags.com
2
THE UTILITARIAN
Designed specifically for peddlers, Zugster Bags sit snuggly on your upper back, eliminating that annoying flopping factor. Owner Adam Alpern creates a custom-sewn design for each purchaser. Customers bring him ideas—a photograph of a tiger, say, or a drawing of a peace sign—that he re-creates by sewing fabric directly onto the bag. Alpern is a hobbyist with a day job, so he has only enough time to make four dozen bags a year. He’s currently booked up until the spring, so start thinking now about next year’s holiday gift list. zugsterbags.com
3
THE PIONEER
Twenty years ago, San Francisco bike messenger Rob Honeycutt put his knack for the needle to use, and Timbuk2 was born. Today, the company brings in local artists for guest stints designing its custom line, made here in San Francisco and sold online and in Timbuk2’s only retail store, in Hayes Valley. Customers can also play artist by building a bag online or with specialty fabrics at the boutique. (Timbuk2’s Classic and Metro ready-to-wear styles are now made overseas.) One of these durable bags will last until you move on to the next fad—but you probably won’t want to part with it. 506 Hayes St., 415-252-9860, timbuk2.com
4
THE URBANIST
Ramblin’ Worker’s Steve MacDonald made his first bag in the mid-’90s. Although he has showcased his work across the world (including in Paris and Tokyo) at bike and art shows, he prefers to spend time in the Bay Area, where he still meets with all of his customers individually to discuss their perfect bag. McDonald’s specialty is sewing doodles (sailboats, cats, skylines) directly onto each bag. He has also designed a few Timbuk2 artist editions. ramblinworker.com
5
THE PAINTER
Kelty Luber got the idea to start Satchel Studio from her hometown, Portland—the most bike-friendly city in the country. Now a San Franciscan, Luber creates piecemeal designs based on her own drawings, travel photos, and other art, which she heat-presses onto Army surplus and wholesale organic bags. She then adds the finishing touches by hand using a palate of acrylic paints. The colorful images enliven her otherwise understated bags. 415-398-3283, satchel-studio.com
Main photo: Roxanne Swaminathan and Evan Torres-McKay assemble messenger bags in Lovelife’s basement space in the Mission.
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