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In a world where AI tells us how to write our emails, smartphone Apps coordinate our lives, and mass-produced products flash in front of us every few minutes, brands like Bleu de Chauffe remind us that beautiful things are still being crafted slowly, by hand — with the long haul in mind rather than instant gratification. And even your life is seemingly full of the aforementioned hyper-modern hell-tech, a mindfully produced, rugged product like Bleu de Chauffe’s Gaston & Baskia Bags can be a daily reminder that heritage quality is alive and kicking in a world gone mad.
All of this French maker’s output has workwear DNA, but this duo is on the more rugged end of the Bleu de Chauffe spectrum. Both are made from a choice of top-quality, water-resistant materials: a heavyweight 18 oz. lick wax canvas from British Millerain or a stonewashed ‘Jeep’ Canvas from a maker in Northern France — a material used by Jeep collectors to restore Willys MB hoods. Each of these fabrics are available in a range of classic colorways, each paired with vegetable-tanned leather.
Let’s start by looking at the Baskia, a 12L messenger bag inspired by the newspaper delivery bags of old. Whether you’re delivering good news or bad, this piece can do it in style, with its large main compartment with dual entry points for easy access to your valuables on the go. What really sets this piece off, though, is the adjustable strap that meets the main parts of the bag with thick vegetable-tanned leather buckles that match the rest of the leather accenting. Simple yet satisfying design at its finest.
If you need something bigger, the Gaston has you covered for busier excursions. It’s made in the landscape format with a roomy main compartment, roll-top closure, dual side pockets, and a handy rear zip pocket that fits magazines, A4 workbooks, and 15″ laptops. As well as looking stunning across all colorways, the Gaston can also be carried in 3 ways: in the hand, over the shoulder, or by the strap. The strap is made from 100% vegetable-tanned leather, as are the compartment adjusters, welting, and accents. Did someone say patina?
Each bag is handmade in the South of France by one skilled artisan who signs and dates the piece, making each piece a unique work of art that’s as elegant as it is rugged.
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Available at Bleu de Chauffe from $255.
