Aligned with the principles of ‘slow fashion’ UAE-based homegrown brand Ryokō Bags believes in creating items that last a long time and get better with age, thereby creating less waste.
How it started: The backstory
It all started with Ryokō’s co-founders’, Anirban Basu and Noon’s, passion for travel and the need to “carry better.” Being avid travellers they are ever keen to explore new places and love capturing the moments through their camera lens. At a certain point they felt the lack of good quality and spacious bags to carry their travel stuff around. Keen to solve this problem, they decided to design and handcraft one themselves. That’s how Ryokō, which means ‘travel – 旅行’ in Japanese was born in 2015.
From that one bag, the range of leather goods expanded and now includes hand-stitched wallets, briefcases and other travel accessories. The common ingredient cutting across the range is full-grain leather, sourced mostly from Japan and some from Italy and India too.
Commenting on the brand’s retail touchpoints, the co-founders shared, “We operate through multiple channels to reach our customers. We have a store at Wafi in Dubai and Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi, and sell online with delivery options within the UAE and internationally. Additionally, our collections are available through various retail partners in and beyond the UAE.”
Why products must be built to last: The purpose
Ryokō strongly believes that products must be built to last, a reason why its leather goods have a lifespan of over seven years, often much longer with proper care.
“We use high-quality, natural full-grain leather that develops a beautiful patina over time, enhancing the item’s character and appeal. We provide customers with detailed care instructions and offer repair services to extend the life of their items. By promoting long-lasting and durable items, we hope to encourage customers to use each item for many years, thereby reducing waste,” Basu explained.
So far, Ryokō has reduced significant production waste across 8,500+ items sold since inception.
As a small business, Ryokō strives to balance purpose with profitability by staying true to its core values of quality, craftsmanship and sustainability. “Fortunately, over the years, we have been able to reach the right customers who help us by becoming true long-term fans and friends of the brand, ensuring steady growth while maintaining our principles,” Noon added.
Did you know?
The Cleveland Bag by Ryokō can easily last for many years despite heavy usage. In one case, it has travelled to over 180 countries and is still going strong.
What lies ahead: The commitment
Starting with what the brand has achieved in terms of its ESG commitments. Through its repair and recycle programme Ryokō has extended the life of at least 350+ items, thereby reducing waste and supporting sustainability. It has also created employment opportunities for artisans and craftsmen, supporting both local communities and skilled artisans abroad.
“By promoting traditional craftsmanship, like saddle-style hand stitching, we uphold cultural heritage and ensure that our products are made with care and attention to detail. The art of hand-stitching, as seen in our products, highlights the dedication and skill of our artisans,” Noon elaborated.
For a brand like Ryokō that believes in slow fashion and operates with a strong sense of purpose in one of the global retail hubs like the UAE, how difficult is it to balance sustainability and profitability?
Balancing the costs associated with sustainable practices while maintaining competitive pricing has been a significant challenge, Basu admitted. “Finding reliable suppliers of sustainable materials that last and become more beautiful over time has also been challenging but essential for our ESG goals. At the same time, educating customers about the importance of sustainability requires continuous effort and innovative approaches, which also involve cost.”
Having said that, Ryokō isn’t going back on its ESG commitments. If anything, their commitments are becoming more robust. The brand plans to:
Increase the use of eco-friendly materials in its products.
Lower carbon footprint through the adoption of eco-friendly practices, including the use of vegetable tanning processes for some products.
Expand its repair and recycle programme to reduce waste.
Enhance its community engagement initiatives, focusing on education and support for sustainable practices.
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