From the streets to the parades, the backpack is everywhere. A schoolyard accessory that could have been nicely considered old-fashioned in the 1990s, it is now regaining its former glory. It is part of a social and cultural dynamic and meets all the needs of working people: it is practical, stylish and accessible. To leave for the weekend, carry his computer and all his belongings, by bike or by public transport, he invites himself on the backs of city dwellers and no longer intends to dislodge them.
A success with working people
“The lifestyles of working people, in recent years, have tended to move towards more functionality and practicality”, begins Dinah Sultan, trendy stylist at Peclers Paris. Inspired by the trend of gorpcore – which consists of wearing technical clothing for hiking, in the city, the backpack has been reinvented by many brands. The beginnings of the return of this accessory date back to the 2000s, Dinah develops, in particular with the Eastpak brand which was everywhere in the playgrounds. If it was then confined to college students, in 2014, when the hipster trend was in full swing, it regained its place in the streets and on the backs of young adults. Brands such as Rains or Herschel have redesigned the bag in a more current way.
However, the real comeback of the backpack has taken place in recent years. French fashion brands have started to reinterpret it. “The versions are more practical, you can slip a computer in, travel with it, it adapts to a more nomadic lifestyle,” says the designer. Indeed, at a time when nomadism is more and more common, with the development of teleworking, coworking spaces, but also soft mobility such as the taf bike, the relationship with cities is changing. Therefore, the backpack becomes an essential. “Small, easy to carry, it’s a real Mary Poppins bag,” confides Dinah. The icing on the cake: it goes wonderfully with all silhouettes, “it doesn’t break the structure of the body since it doesn’t take a weird fulcrum”, explains the specialist.
All brands are getting into it
Dior, Chanel or even Valentino, fashion houses imagine elegant and timeless models, to be found during fashion shows. This accessory is no longer intended only for urban dwellers whose style is inspired by streetwear, but for all fashion enthusiasts who wish to bring a practical touch to their dressing room. As Dinah Sultan remarks, “if brands put it on the catwalk, it’s because it meets a real need”.
Just like for sneakers, designers are not lacking in ingenuity to offer modern and up-to-date backpacks. Cabaïa, the brand originally specializing in hats with interchangeable pompoms, launched its range of bags based on the desires of its customers. “We created a model by including our community by taking their needs into account,” reveals Emilien Foiret, co-founder of Cabaïa. By freeing itself from the obsolete codes which lavished on women to opt for a handbag and on men a briefcase, this object underlines the evolution of lifestyles. With Cabaïa, Emilien relies on functionality with a wide-angle opening and numerous storage tips, but also on aesthetics, thanks to personalization.
A trend that is here to stay
Versatile lifestyles make this accessory a must-have. According to Gaétan Bouzac, co-founder of Pachamama, the French brand that produces leather backpacks made by Bolivian artisans, this trend is not going to stop. “Active workers are no longer afraid to put on a backpack to get to their place of work. Before, they thought it would give the outfit a bit cheesy, but we got over it. “. In different styles, colors and sizes, in 2023 there are backpacks on the market for every purpose. Far from hiking models, French brands design it as a daily tool to have in your dressing room.
In addition, they adopt an eco-responsible approach. With Pachamama, Gaétan highlights Bolivian craftsmanship, “our bags are made of leather using a vegetable-based tanning technique. Bolivian craftsmen are remunerated fairly for the know-how and the product they develop. “. On the Cabaïa side, Emilien and his team produce bags with the lowest possible impact, which last the longest. “We guarantee our bags for life,” he concludes.
With its undeniable qualities, in the office as on vacation, the backpack has not finished making people talk about it.