Spotlight on: Roka Bags

We pack a lot of things into our shop, online and in real life. We try our best to make sure that when you visit us you know that you’ll be able to find a gift for pretty much anyone, or even a little something for yourself or your home. We carefully research and hand-pick which brands we stock and ensure that what we offer to you is a carefully curated selection of things we would love and use ourselves or give as a gift to a friend or family member. We also hope that you find something that you wont find in every other shop you visit. We like to be a bit different aswell you see!

But there’s a lot to keep track of! So we thought it might be quite nice to pick out a few of our brands from time to time; and to share a little bit more about them. If you know them already and have bought their products before – from us or somewhere else - then you might just learn something new. And if you have never heard of them or they’re a new-to-you find, then lucky you because you’re in for a treat and you might just find a few extra things sneaking into your shopping basket. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Today we’d love to get you acquainted to another one of our favourite brands in the shop: Roka Bags. In fact they’re such a firm favourite with us that most of us have one! We have always said from day one that we’d never stock anything that we wouldn’t buy, love and use ourselves and this a great example of just that!

Roka was founded by Emma Rosenberg and Brett Katz who met and fell in love! At the time Brett lived abroad and Emma in England. Instead of living happily ever after the pair soon realised the pitfalls of a long distance relationship and fast became masters at packing light and what travelling between countries was often like. It didn’t take long for Brett to become wise to England’s ‘changeable’ weather and to realise how invaluable a decent bag was! One that was not only fashionable and looked good but one which would withstand a lot of ’to-ing and fro-ing’ and would keep all of his belongings protected and dry.

He began designing one: A bag that was versatile, that anyone could use whether they were commuting or just pushing a pram and one that looked good too. And so the very first Roka bag was born: The Bantry bag, and so the Roka brand too. Emma was always there, offering support and advice.

With Brett designing even more styles and shapes and Emma beginning to handle the marketing and personal relations, Roka has grew and evolved into the global and successful brand it is today.

Roka strives to be ‘a different kind of company for a different kind of bag’ and they also share that…

At Roka, we take pride in our brand and our products. Our commitment is to our customers and bringing them a bag they can trust and fall in love with. As a global brand, Roka’s goal is to create a bold statement within a daily necessity, bringing customers everywhere a bag that meets their needs and matches their own personal style - for any age, gender, race, season or adventure! Around the world, Roka has been welcomed into the everyday routines of people of all walks of life - business professionals, parents, students, commuters, and more!

All of Roka’s bags are ageless, ethically produced, tough and durable, vegan and animal friendly and fashionable and functional.

Ever since we first stumbled across this savvy brand, stocking them was a no-brainer!

SO WHY DO WE STOCK THEM?

For all of the above! We try to include as many smaller brands and ones that are working hard to produce great products but not at the cost of those who make them or to the environment. While Roka are deservedly now a global brand; they have very humble beginnings and have remained true to their ethos and values throughout their journey. Each of their items are produced in socially compliant factories and each bag is made from recycled plastic. Their new collection also aims to use even less waste during the manufacturing process too. This means a whopping 80% less water and 65% less emissions. Not only that, they’re also packaged in cornstarch-based bags which is a biodegradable material. Tick, tick, tick!!!!

PERFECT FOR…

Everyone! You! Me! us ALL! Just incase we haven’t shouted about enough reasons to love Roka bags one of the best things about the bags is the fact that they’re for everyone! Whether you spend your weekends hiking up fells, or commuting on the tube or even amusing a snack-snatching toddler or two: A Roka bag would tick all of your boxes. Each bag is lightweight, durable and water resistant. It’s fixtures and fittings are sturdy and easy to use. There’s maximum storage for minimal space and each backpack comes with a removable padded laptop or tablet sleeve and internal and external pockets for ALL of the storage! There are durable straps and two carry handles on top which means each backpack can also be carried in a few different ways whether that’s slung over your shoulders or hooked over a push chair or shopping trolley.

FAVOURITE PRODUCTS…

We’ll be honest and tell you we’d stock the whole collection if we could! But you’ve got to draw the line somewhere haven’t you?! We stock the Roka Finchley rucksack in small and medium in an array of beautiful colours and have recently added the sustainable wallets to the shop this year too!

You can find our selection right on the website and we’ve got the same selection out in the shop if you want to pop on in and have a try on. Let us know if you love Roka as much as us and tag us when you’re sporting yours! Also feel free to drop us a message over on Facebook or Instagram if you’ve got any questions!