L'histoire du sac cabas

The history of the tote bag

The Léonie tote bag arrives Tuesday at 10am for pre-orders. A chic and practical bag, with a slender shape, perfectly fitting the silhouette.

It is made in a family workshop not far from Biarritz, run by two brothers from a family of leatherworkers. It is a historical workshop in the heart of the Basque Country, guaranteeing a quality recognized throughout the world.

The origin of the Cabas bag

There are many stories about the origin of the tote bag, one of which begins in the 1860s in Paris.

The luggage industry was booming with the development of travel. More and more bags of all sizes appeared. The tote bag was originally created for businessmen who travelled with their documents, personal belongings or travel blankets. Made of leather, they are stronger than the canvas bags of the eighteenth century.

Men's clothing styles in 1860

At the beginning of the 20th century, the day bag, also adopted by women, was dedicated to shopping. It kept its very elegant flat shape and incomparable lightness.

In the 1960s, the tote bag really started to take off, and it is not only for reasons of functionality that this bag becomes fashionable. Brands come to "dress up" this style of bag by declining it in different varieties of unique and vivid colors. They are transforming the tote bag from a functional everyday bag to an accessory synonymous with elegance.

The tote continued to be widely used throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s. As the popularity of the tote bag increased, its uses expanded. For example, businesses began using tote bags as an advertising medium. Inexpensive to produce, it is easy to print a logo on the front and sell them as merchandise.

At Valet de Pique we decided to go back to the origins by taking inspiration from the tote bags dedicated to businessmen and offering it to women of the 21st century. An elegant, light and functional bag to carry your everyday belongings.

See you on Tuesday May 11th at 10am.

But who are we?

Two years ago, Valet de Pique's mission was to promote French craftsmanship and know-how.

Alarmed by the impact of fast-fashion and its development, we set ourselves a challenge: to highlight French know-how while rediscovering a sense of proportion in consumption. The objective is simple: to transmit a know-how, a history, a passion for craftsmanship in each of the pieces. All this while promoting jobs, craftsmanship, beautiful products, and materials of excellence by taking care of those who surround us, and what surrounds us.

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