In 1993, brothers Markus and Daniel Freitag were graphic designers whose work required them to constantly carry their drawings and designs. This made them realize they needed a bag that was not only versatile but also rugged and water-resistant. Inspiration came from the heavy-duty trucks they saw daily outside their Zurich apartment. More specifically, it was the tough tarpaulins covering those trucks that sparked the idea.
Meet the Freitag Brothers
The very first Freitag messenger bag, created back in 1993, was made from tarpaulin, hand-stitched with precision, and featured straps fashioned from old car seat belts.
But an idea alone wasn’t enough - they got hands-on and crafted that first bag from an old truck tarp, giving birth to Freitag, a brand now synonymous with uniquely crafted bags. Want to know why Freitag bags are so distinct? Let's take a behind-the-scenes look at their process:
Sourcing Materials
Freitag’s bags are made from repurposed tarpaulins, the signature material of this Swiss brand. While you might think sourcing tarpaulins would be easy given the number of trucks on the road, it's a more challenging task when you're aiming for high quality. That’s why Freitag employs a dedicated team of five - known as the "Truck Hunters."
These “Truck Hunters” travel far and wide, gathering 300 tons of tarpaulin annually for the brand. Their job involves working with trucking companies and transport firms to handpick the best tarps in trendy, vibrant colors.
Processing the Tarps
Once the tarps are selected, they go through a "pre-processing" phase. Experienced workers examine the tarps for usable sections, as large portions may be too damaged to utilize. This process is like "meat trimming" but with fabric.
The usable parts are then cut into 2-meter sections and folded, ready to be sent to the washing area.
Washing the Tarpaulins
This isn’t your typical laundry - these tarps are covered in grime from years on the highway. However, for Freitag's bags to shine, the material needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Freitag’s secret washing formula plays a crucial role here, ensuring each bag retains vibrant colors and unique characteristics. No two Freitag bags are exactly alike.
Hand-Cutting the Patterns
While most companies use machines for this step, Freitag does it by hand. Designers at Freitag cut the fabric with precision, using templates for each bag model. This step requires intense focus and skill, relying on the craftsperson’s careful balance and calculations.
Final Production
The sewing and stitching are handled by expert partners in Switzerland, Bulgaria, Portugal, Tunisia, France, and the Czech Republic. These locations are experienced in working with tarpaulin—a fabric thicker and tougher than most leather.
After stitching, the bags return to Freitag’s headquarters in Switzerland for photography and listing on their website.
The End Result
Each Freitag bag has its own unique character, with no two bags ever being exactly the same.
The Freitag bag gifted to me is the R511 Carolus, designed with ample space to hold a 15" laptop, books, A4 documents, and more. The distinctive gray color of this bag makes it stand out.
Freitag ships to Vietnam via Swiss Post, with a shipping fee of 35 CHF (~800,000 VND) per order.
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