Luxe from Defy Bags
The tough-as-nails bag maker grows up with a sleek leather brief
For a company that started with truck tarps and military-grade clasps, Chicago-based Defy Bags has taken an unexpected route toward making luxury goods. Founder Chris Tag’s emphasis has always been on apocalypse-ready gear for urban commuters, but that’s all changing with the new Luxe, a briefcase that’s ready for anything—whether that’s the conference room or the end of the world.
Each bag is cut from a single piece of full-grain Horween Leather that hasn’t been sanded or buffed for looks. The leather is first chromium tanned for feel and then re-tanned with vegetable tannins for patina. To finish, aniline dye is hand-rubbed into the surface before the whole thing is burnished with a glaze. Keeping with the military tradition, the seams are bound with tonal military spec thread and the gunmetal carrying clips are made from imported steel.
The Luxe is fitted for 13″ screens with an exterior sleeve ideal for stowing tablets. Lined with black cotton canvas and leather trim, the interior is heavy on organizational accoutrements. In addition to the black and brown colorway, the bag also comes in an all-black version, both of which can be found at the Defy online shop for $495.
Defy Bags is offering CH readers a 20% discount at checkout with the code “coolhunting” through 12 February 2013.
Images courtesy of Defy Bags
