Our Story

From a subway hobo to a design icon

It started with a simple observation. Designer Ramón Middelkoop spotted a hobo on the subway carrying a worn, dirty brown paper bag. The bag was falling apart — but its shape was perfect. Honest, functional, timeless.

That moment became My Paper Bag.

Built to last a lifetime

The idea was simple: take that iconic silhouette and build it to last forever. Not from paper, but from thick, durable chrome-free buffalo leather with a solid ashwood base. A bag strong enough to carry wine bottles, books, or everything in between — without ever losing its shape or character.

Every stitch is made by hand, by skilled craftspeople in a fair-trade workshop in India. People who take pride in their work, and whose craft you carry with you every day.

A bag that grows with you

My Paper Bag is not just a bag. It's a companion. The leather develops a natural patina over time — every scratch, every mark a reflection of the life you've lived. The longer you carry it, the more it becomes yours.

This is what we call Eco-Leather: naturally tanned using plant-based extracts, free from harmful chemicals, biodegradable, and responsibly sourced as a by-product of the food industry. Better for you. Better for the world.

Dutch Design. Crafted to last.

Flexible, loyal, adventurous, iconic — My Paper Bag is built around the same values as the people who carry it. From the market to the office, the beach to the city. For every occasion, every season, every chapter of your life.

My Paper Bag. Your best friend forever.