A handbag is a fashion piece of utility and wonder -- one tiny handbag can fit a smartphone, perfume, must-have cosmetics, tissues, sunnies and more. These 20 local brands have proven their worth when it comes to handbag creations, whether in terms of versatility, design or durability.

Adorable Projects

Ira Hanira and Fajar Nugraha started Adorable Projects in 2008 to finance their dates. The couple started by selling small accessories, such as rings and necklaces. Over time, the brand unexpectedly grew and is now one of the go-to brands for affordable footwear and bags.

Known for its casual designs and decent quality, Adorable Projects sells its bags, from clutches, tote bags and handbags to huge backpacks, ranging from Rp 60,000 to Rp 275,000 (US$4.07 to $18.64) only. The Bandung-based brand is known to exclusively sell its products on its official website, adorableprojects.store.

Antidotline

Antidotline was born amid the height of the pandemic in Tebet, Jakarta. Rizki Dita Pratiwi was aiming for a minimalist design that can fit many things inside with versatile design fits for various occasions. Priced between Rp 385,000 and Rp 585,000, Antidotline creates its products from PVC leather.

Chic, smart design: Antidotline takes pride of its minimalist design and versatility. (Courtesy of Antidotline) (Courtesy of Antidotline/Courtesy of Antidotline)

The premium self-manufactured bags support high mobility, and most of its series are fully adjustable with detachable straps and several customizable features. The most popular handbag is the Arco Triangular Bag, which is quite limited in terms of capacity but is multifaceted in terms of design as it would suit both formal and casual occasions.

Aesthetic Pleasure

Putri J. Ghariza established Aesthetic Pleasure in 2013 as a fashion brand. Initially focusing on urban youth clothing that boasts raw-cut tailoring and edgy drapery, the brand has also started to gain attention with its bag creations.

Aesthetic Pleasure bags are priced from Rp 680,000 to Rp 2,299,000. One of the most popular new arrivals is called Mini Isolation Croc Black. The bag can be worn in various ways, with or without a flap or a strap -- the former can easily be swapped with another one in a different color. 

BYO

Tommy Ambiyo Tedji established BYO in 2014 to channel his fantasy and science-fiction inspiration onto wearable experimental objects. Choosing handbags as the medium, the Industrial Design graduate consistently fuses futuristic aesthetics with traditional motifs for his alien-looking bags from Tyvek and PVC materials.

Sold in many prestigious stores such as Galeries Lafayette, Pillar and The Goods Dept., BYO bags are priced from US$64 to $1,129 for international shoppers or Rp 375,000 to Rp 12,999,000 for Indonesian fashionistas. The brand also recently launched a second line called BYO Logic that focuses on sustainable fashion by making use of post-production leather waste. Check their website on b-yo.com.

Dikau

The brand name is said to be an acronym of the saying "dari kami untuk kamu" (from us to you), which highlights its designs that look personal. The brand experiments with various materials, from faux leather and canvas to knits.

Its current best seller is the Gabe Knot bags, a mini tote that dons basic earthy colors and huge knots accents on the side. Dikau's bags are priced between Rp 270,000 and Rp 345,000 and are mainly sold at dikauofficial.com.

KEAlivelaughlove 

From Warhol's Campbell Soup to Converse's cartoon sneakers, pop culture and daily knick-knack references have always been a big thing in fashion. KEAlivelaughlove embodies that passion -- and fashionistas are clearly flocking to the brand's one-of-a-kind products, such as its Indomie clutches, embellished with beads and embroideries, or the Teh Botol-inspired crocheted tote bag.

Edgy: KEAlivelaughlove screams quirky and kitschy without being tacky. (Courtesy of KEAlivelaughlove) (Courtesy of KEAlivelaughlove/Courtesy of KEAlivelaughlove)

Established in 2014 by Mariko Tampi, the brand is not as popular as the others on this list. However, quirky fashion lovers know where to seek these precious handmade pieces, sold between Rp 1,000,000 and Rp 4,000,000 on Instagram @KEAlivelaughlove.

Lusso

Another affordable, popular brand straight out of Jakarta is Lusson. Founded by Jova in 2020, Lusso champions its recent Saira Top Handle Bag as the customers' favorite. The bag, which screams classic elegance, was made of canvas and faux leather.

Lusso bags are priced between Rp 150,000 and Rp 200,000 and are currently exclusively sold on Shopee as the brand is revitalizing its social media.

Lykkeinhand

Lykkeinhand is one of the brands to go to for beaded bag lovers. Established in 2020 in Surabaya, the brand was initially known for its Lykke Wisteria phone bag. These small bags, with their trademark beaded fringe detailing and bright colors, can only fit modern smartphones and probably personal identification necessities.

The brand was instantly popular with its striking design and affordable price of Rp 189,000 to Rp 399,000. It is currently available only on Shopee and Instagram @lykkeinhand.

MANNEQUIN PLASTIC

Evan Driyananda and Attina Nuraini started the business in 2010 but only officially established MANNEQUIN PLASTIC as a brand in 2012 in Bandung. The brand is known for its unique and playful designs made from faux leather or polyester fabrics for those with quirky personal styles.

One of a kind: Mannequin Plastic is known for its unorthodox shapes and materials, but their goods remain functional. (Courtesy of Mannequin Plastic) (Courtesy of Mannequin Plastic/Courtesy of Mannequin Plastic)

Every collection has an interesting underlying story, such as its Duckling Dash, Dino Collection and Pleated Bucket Bags, which were mainly inspired by "happiness, magic, fantasy, dreams, fairy tales and everything related to playful activities". 

Available in HGL Store, LocalStrunk, The Goods Dept and several e-commerce sites, MANNEQUIN PLASTIC sells its bags in the range of Rp 150,000 to Rp 500,000.

Merche

A staple brand for most college students and new fledgling in urban offices, Merche offers simple designs and durability. The brand was founded in 2016 by Tari Puji Lestari. Today, it still maintains its commitment to using local faux leather for its products.

Priced reasonably from Rp 215,000 to Rp 225,000, the Bandung-based brand is available in many malls in big cities and on its official website, madebymerche.com.

Nara

Headquartered in South Jakarta, Nara was established in 2021 by Fernando Kose and Althea Hadasa. Despite being relatively new, Nara offers a fairly wide range of types in all shapes and sizes, from clutches to bucket bags, micro to huge totes.

The bags, priced between Rp 149,000 and Rp 499,000, are mainly made of premium vegan leather and have built-in protective suede lining interiors. The current favorite is NARA-PRIDE, priced at Rp 499,000, with charcoal the most popular color variant.

niion

Street casual -- that is the style that pops in the minds of many upon looking at niion's products. Founded in 2013 by Adit Yara and Rangga Yuzar, the Bandung-based brand is known for its quirky utilization of nylon-polyester materials.

Take its Taska series, for instance. With the simple design and striking colors of the solid motifs, the product would make its wearer stand out even if the rest of their outfit were very ordinary. The bags from niion are priced between Rp 101,000 and Rp499,000.

Purotti

Purotti shows different ways of utilizing leather, producing one uniquely shaped bag after another that exudes elegance and luxury. Made from genuine cow leather, imported mainly from Italy and South Korea, Purotti bags are sold with prices ranging from Rp 385,000 to Rp 1,525,000.

High quality: Purotti likes to play around with shapes while still maintaining durability and quality materials. (Courtesy of Purotti) (Courtesy of Purotti/Courtesy of Purotti)

Founder-designer Ryan Syam started Purotti in 2014 with his partner, Rizki Dita Pratiwi. The brand is based in Tebet, Jakarta, but its products can easily be found on its official website purotti.com or eCommerce sites.

Rounn

Rounn was founded in 2014 by Ivan Tiono and Jessica Ariella, aiming specifically for the local high-end market. The products are sold between Rp 1,105,000 and Rp 2,120,000.  Each boasts durability and quality materials, mostly premium cow leather.

The brand made the headlines by collaborating with celebrity Nagita Slavina to create its micro-bag collection titled Rounn x Nagita Slavina, featuring a mini-sized bag from premium leather with croc texture. It also launched a recent series of minis collaborating with celebrity makeup-artist Michelle Quan.

Semata

Semata was established in 2018 in Bandung. The brand, known for its colorful bags made of fur and silk sateen with peculiar shapes, paused its production late in the pandemic, but fans have been faithfully waiting for the eccentric brand to return. 

Its popular Umpak Bag is created from neon-colored taffeta and sateen, shaped like whipped cream on top of ice-cream sundaes. Another popular series was the Haik Mosi Mosi, made from black sheep leather.

Sjk

Sjk is a great alternative for fashionistas who enjoy donning beaded bags without looking over-the-top. Influencer Ana Octarina established Sjk in 2019 alongside Kina Firda Novita, and the duo has been consistently producing colorful beaded bags that are somewhat tamer among its class.

Sjk's designs are sleek, and the colors are solid. One of its most popular series is the Adele bag, made from beaded synthetic pearls with a versatile design that can fit many items inside the bag. The bags can be worn two ways, both as a sling bag and a handbag. Its products are available on its official website sjkatelier.com as well as on several e-commerce platforms for Rp 300,000 to Rp 1,000,000.

S.RW

An artist through and through, 2011 Celeste Prize finalist Syagini Ratna Wulan never fails to awe fans with her S.RW bags. The Bandung-based brand's bags, sculptured with premium leather, constantly steal the show with meticulous (and sometimes uncommon) textured details and popping colors.

Available on its official website srw.id, HGL House and many e-commerce sites, bag lovers can also get unique straps to enhance the look of their daily bags. S.RW also recently launched its latest collection called Lux in Tenebris, championing black leather and 3D motifs inspired by elements of nature. S.RW products are priced between Rp 500,000 and Rp 2,750,000.

Tako Bag 

Established in March 2011, Yogyakarta-native Dita Wahyu envisioned Tako Bag as sleek-looking bags for the youth. The brand is well known for its experimental fusion of traditional fabrics and bright splashes of color while maintaining an elegant vibe that would fit any office look.

The products are affordable, ranging from Rp 159,900 to Rp 338,900. Sneak a peek at available options on its official website takobag.com. Popular item? Its faux-leather drawstring bag, Moochi.

TAM ILLI

The beaded-bags craze is pretty recent, but TAM ILLI has been in the business since 2013. Natasha Jasmin Aprilia, its founder and designer, is known for her outlandish artistry with beads. Initially known for its statement rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets, TAM ILLI is now better known for its beaded bags.

The brand was dubbed the Most Promising Accessories Brand by the 2018 New Fashion Force Awards held by Jakarta Fashion Week, and the promise was definitely fulfilled. Its recent Jardin-Rosie bag made by beading marble balls shows both intricacy and efficient craftsmanship. 

TAM ILLI bags are sold between Rp 1,750,000 and Rp 2,250,000 on tamilli.com, as well as its several retail and e-commerce partners.

Tulisan

Melisa Sunjaya started Tulisan in 2010 with Rp 5,000,000 and an old Singer sewing machine. She started by making tea towels, aprons and cushion covers, but now Tulisan is better known for its clutches and bags.

Most Tulisan products are made from organic canvas that carries the artsy serigraph by the artist, printed with water-based, non-toxic ink. Tulisan products are sold in many of its stockists and on its official website tulisan.com at a varying price range of Rp 90,000 to Rp 2,500,000.

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