I have chosen my favourite cities as the name for my backpacks/bags. Here's a word on why these cities are close to my heart.
Brussels - basic backpack
I studied Tourism in Brussels at Erasmus University College a long time ago. Every day I went from my dorm to class with my backpack. But it also came in handy before or after class to explore the city centre on the metro, go for sports, shop in the Nieuwstraat or go to the flea market on the Vossenplein. What a wonderful time it was.
Ghent - Rolltop backpack
I grew up near Ghent. Here I went to secondary school, danced at the Charlatan or the Vooruit and took sewing classes. I lived there for seven years and worked for many years. The many restaurants, the nightlife, the nice shops, interesting museums, ... . I keep coming back to this beautiful city. In recent years, I saw more and more students and working people on bikes with rolltop backpacks. Here was the inspiration for my own rolltop backpack
Tallinn - small backpack
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia is small and perhaps not well known as a city trip destination but this is unjustified. The beautiful old center, the surprisingly modern architecture around it, the delicious and affordable gastronomy, the modern museums, the location by the sea, ... this city has stolen my heart. My compact backpack is a tribute to the compact city of Tallinn.
Bangkok - fanny pack
After my studies, I lived in Thailand for a year and visited Bangkok regularly. Due to the heat and crowds, I prefer not to carry a backpack here but a light fanny pack. All I need to explore the city is my hotel card, mobile phone, bank card and a map of the city. Taking the skytrain to Silom, on the waterboat to Wat Pho, wandering around Chatuchak market and indulging my taste buds in Lumpini Park. I love it!
Sustainability is obviously very important for ifluo. That's why I chose to work with sustainable fabrics and do the production in Belgium. Even though this costs me a lot more than having everything made in Asia with cheaper fabrics and production costs.
90% of the fabrics used for the ifluo backpacks come from Spain. My supplier specialises in making fabrics with recycled materials. The raw materials they use are PET bottles or clothing scraps. These are ground and treated into yarn so that new fabrics can be woven from them.
Production is done at the tailoring company De Zonnehoeve in Nazareth, 8 km from where I live. They offer paid work in an adapted, protected working environment for people distanced from the regular labour market. Several deaf ladies and gentlemen work in the sewing workshop, cutting and stitching materials with the utmost care. And this within cycling distance! I am so happy with this collaboration.
The buckles, zips and reflective materials do come from Asia. For these, I am still looking for European suppliers who offer somewhat affordable. Please let me know if you know or are a supplier.
The idea for the ifluo bags was born a few years ago out of frustration. On my way to work by car, I saw many cyclists in dark clothing carrying dark backpacks. Some even without bicycle lights. Some cyclists did wear a fluorescent jacket but then wore a dark rucksack above it, making the fluorescent jacket of little use. A few wear their fluorescent jacket over their rucksacks, but that is also a strange sight. Fluorescent covers for your rucksack are great but also a hassle and an extra cost. This can be done better, I thought.
I went to the fabric shop and bought black, fluorescent and reflective fabrics. I took out my Brother sewing machine and started stitching. As a child, I also liked sewing handbags and pouches and after a few years of sewing in night school, this too would do. My first designs were basic but I got good reactions from colleagues and friends anyway. After a few years of procrastination, covid, busyness at work, I finally made a go of it in 2022 and started ifluo in a secondary capacity.
The search for suppliers, manufacturers, right fabrics, making prototypes, writing texts for the website, ... took a bit longer than expected but I found it a very instructive and interesting period. The new people I meet through this, the ups and downs that come with it; it gives me so much energy and I enjoy being creative again alongside my desk job. In 2023, all the pieces of the puzzle have finally fallen together. Production has started and the website is live. I love it when a good plan comes together!