Would you pay $660 for a handbag made from a used truck tarp?

In the luxury handbag industry, high-quality leather has long been the material of choice. However, Swiss design-forward brand Freitag is challenging the status quo by offering a new premium line called Reference, where bags are made from used truck tarps. The four bags in the collection, priced from $460 to $660, aim to blend elegance with sustainability.

Freitag's founders, Markus and Daniel Freitag, originally created their F13 Top Cat bag in 1993 using a truck tarp, an old car seat belt, and a bicycle inner tube. Over three decades, the company has amassed a yearly production of around 400,000 products. To source enough truck tarps, Freitag employs teams of "truck spotters" who scour Europe for discarded tarps.

The bags are crafted by washing the tarps with rainwater from the factory roof and cutting them into unique shapes. Freitag already experimented with a high-end line 15 years ago, and customer requests have led to the return of the Reference collection. The new bags feature a trapezoid silhouette, structured side seams, and magnetic metal clasps, while also incorporating a repair kit made of tarp.

Despite the bags' feminine aesthetic, they are unisex and designed for both longtime Freitag fans and design enthusiasts who prioritize quality and environmental impact. The unique nature of the used tarps presents a challenge, but Freitag's solution is to hand-select tarps for their shade and patina. The success of the Reference line indicates that consumers are increasingly interested in eco-friendly, durable, and traceable products.