The perfect bags for the modern creative professional. Super stylish, totally functional + made in the USA. Designed by Elliot Aronow.
About this project
Like our hero Ralph Lauren, Jacques-Elliott started with The Perfect Tie.
And now… We’ve created Side One by Jacques-Elliott, the perfect bags for the modern creative professional.
Side One bags combine the sexiness and effortless cool of a “style bag” with all the functional features of a “tech bag.”
Let’s face it: fashion bags are useless and overpriced and computer bags are over-designed and ugly.
Until now, it was impossible to find a super stylish bag that’s tough enough for travel, slickenough for the office, and smart enough to put your digital lifestyle at the forefront of its design.
After the successful funding of our first Kickstarter for The Perfect Tie, a dope tie collaboration with style icon/rocker Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes,and glowing coverage in GQ, The New York Times, Monocle, Esquire and Bloomberg, we set our sights on expanding our accessories line to include another must have item that was ready for a modern make over, THE EVERYDAY BAG!
To bring you this Perfect Bag, we thought (and re-thought then thought some more) about what features and vibes were most needed to improve on the classic “commuter tote” and “carry on/weekender” bag styles.
Then, we worked direct with our manufacturing partners, a family run business just outside of Downtown NYC who have been making luxe bags for over 30+ years, to design and manufacture The Perfect Bags. All Side One bags are ethically Made In The USA!
Because of our direct to consumer model, we are able to offer these incredibly high end, hand made bags at a very fair price, for hundreds less than our competitors (brands whose names rhyme with Nilsson or Pack Slade) and with many, many more thoughtful features.
We know that once you bring them into your life they will seamlessly fit into your lifestyle, like an elegant friend who loves to carry your stuff.
Side One bags combine the sexiness and effortless cool of a “style bag” with all the functional features of a “tech bag.”
They are designed by style entrepreneur/GQ columnistElliot Aronow aka “the punk rock Ralph Lauren“, so you know that they are going to look dope and bring you some discreet, positive attention.
Outside, they look amazing and sleek, free from tacky logos and unnecessary details. Inside, they offer elegant, unfussy storage solutions for all your most critical possessions, like your computer, phone, chargers, keys, chips and other hip lifestyle signifiers.
Did we mention they have a fully padded laptop sleeve with leather closure built right into the bag?!
Side One Bags Are Available In Two Super Practical Must-Have Sizes + Two Awesome Colors For Each Size.
Our SLIMLINE COMMUTER BAG (13” wide x 15” tall x 4” deep) comes in handsomeClassic Navy or Olive 100% waterproof 18 ounce cotton canvas with adjustable, removable shoulder strap.
Our larger sized WORLDWIDE CARRY ON bag (16” wide x 15” tall x 5.5” deep) comes in gorgeous Steel Grey or Deep Caramel 100% waterproof 18 ounce WAXED cotton canvas with adjustable, removable padded shoulder strap.
Side One bags are handmade in the USA just ten minutes from NYC the real deal old fashioned way, with each bag requiring over 3 hours of highly skilled labor to complete.
# 1: SIDE ONE BAGS LOOK DOPE AND WILL ONLY IMPROVE WITH AGE, LIKE YOUR FAVORITE PAIR OF JEANS.
Sexy, Butter Soft Full Grain Italian Leather Accents
Fully finished leather handles
Removable, adjustable strap with crisp, clean chrome hardware
Unbreakable YYK Zippers with sexy leather pulls
They are totally unbranded on the outside. No logos, no tacky add ons.
# 2 : EVERY SINGLE TECHNICAL FEATURE IS DESIGNED TO ELEGANTLY AND SEAMLESSLY FIT INTO YOUR MOBILE LIFESTYLE.
Built in, fully padded laptop/tablet sleeve with elegant leather tab closure comfortably fits up to a 15” Macbook Pro.
Super useful external “easy access” pocket: perfect for phones, headphones, keys and anything having to do with airport security lines. One zip and everything can go in, one zip and everything can come out.
Built In Key Ring/Fob
Vertical and horizontal internal pockets offer elegant, unfussy storage. We specially designed the vertical pockets to hold your glasses and computer chargers, which is a nice touch.
Waterproof Nylon interior with contrasting accents so you can find your stuff.
All models come with removable, adjustable shoulder strap. The Deluxe Carry On straps include a padded leather cushion, while the Commuter straps are classic, sturdy webbed cotton. Comfortable in both cross-body or over the shoulder mode.
Perfectly sized for unisex pleasure, not too big and heavy or too small and delicate.
# 3 SIDE ONE BAGS ARE ETHICALLY MADE BY HAND IN THE USA BY EXPERT CRAFTSPEOPLE, JUST TEN MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN NYC.
We believe that people making our bags here in USA should be paid well, treated great and celebrated for the incredible craftsmanship, time and skill that go into producing each Side One bag.
By supporting this project, you are directly supporting ethical manufacturing and the kind of old school quality that only comes with artisan goods made by hand.
# 4 SIDE ONE BAGS MAKE GREAT INVESTMENTS : BUY LESS LIVE MORE
Rather than spending $90 on three inferior bags, we believe it’s best to invest in something of superior quality and then love and use it for years.
This reduces waste, stylishly subverts consumerism, and gives you more free time to do fun, creative stuff!
Says our CEO, Elliot Aronow : “As a lifelong entrepreneur, I’ve had money and I’ve not had money and I can say that products like our bags, products that are made by hand the old fashioned way from top quality materials, have been the things I’ve used and loved the most. Not only do they look great with age, they tell a story.”
# 5 THERE’S A SIDE ONE BAG FOR EVERY PERSON AND OCCASION
# 6 WE ARE ALREADY A PROVEN AND TRUSTED INTERNATIONAL STYLE BRAND. SINCE LAUNCHING OUR TIES ON KICKSTARTER IN 2014 JACQUES-ELLIOTT….
Introduced over 65 new colorways to our neckwear collection, including a line of awesome skinny ties.
Made good on our promise and delivered 100% of the orders from our first Kickstarter.
Collaborated with rockstar/style icon Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes (!) on a capsule collection of rakish ties.
Been featured in GQ, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Monocle, Esquire and more. Bloomberg Businessweek dedicated an ENTIRE PAGE in their June 8th print issue to the project, declaring that AHJ and J-E were “making ties cool again.”
Made fans and friends all across the world, including folks like Trevor Noah, Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo, who regularly rock our ties to events and parties.
Been stocked at some of the world’s finest luxury stores and boutiques including Le Bon Marche in Paris, Odin in New York, The Standard Hotels and Mr. Hare in London.
introduced a line of rad graphic t-shirts that pay homage to our punk rock roots
MEET THE BAG : THE SLIMLINE COMMUTER
Perfect for everyday use : comfortably holds your laptop, chargers, phone, keys + biz cards, with plenty of room to spare for an extra shirt, notebook + bottle of water.
Ethically Made In The USA.
Slim silhouette and sexy looks make it perfect for the office.
Internal pockets are perfectly sized to elegantly store your glasses, computer charger + party favors.
Made from 100% Waterproof 18 Ounce Cotton Canvas Exterior.
Available In Olive Green And Classic Navy.
Top Quality Full Grain Italian Leather Accents.
Unbreakable YYK zippers with sexy leather pulls.
Fully Padded Built In Laptop/Tablet/Magazine Sleeve, comfortably holds up to a 15″ Macbook Pro.
Comes with removable, adjustable shoulder strap.
MEET THE BAG : THE DELUXE CARRY ON/WEEKENDER
Perfect for short and long distance travel : comfortably holds your laptop, chargers, phone, keys + biz cards, with TONS of room for vinyl LPs, a bottle of wine, a change of clothes or two, toiletries + magazines and books.
External pocket is perfect for stress free airport security checks. Simply throw your passport, phone, metal objects inside, pass through the checkpoint and then unpack.
ETHICALLY MADE IN THE USA with over 3 hours of skilled labor required to hand craft each bag.
Internal pockets are perfectly sized to elegantly store your glasses, computer charger + party favors.
Available in Steel Grey or Deep Caramel 100% waterproof 18 ounce WAXED cotton canvas with adjustable, removable padded shoulder strap.
Top Quality Full Grain Italian Leather Accents.
Unbreakable YYK zippers with sexy leather pulls.
Fully Padded Built In Laptop/Tablet/Magazine Sleeve, comfortably holds up to a 15″ Macbook Pro
Comes with removable, adjustable shoulder strap.
Studded feet for extra stability.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT ! HERE ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH THE MONEY WE RAISE
# 1 CREATE JOBS AND GROW OUR TEAM!
Incredible as it may seem given our product range, Jacques-Elliott is a bootstrapped start up run out of a few select cafes and shebeens in Brooklyn. The business is run by one person, CEO/Creative Director Elliot Aronow, and two part time interns, Victoria D’Esposito (graphic design and heavy metal) and Alisandra Pardo (photography and top 40). We want Ali and Victoria to be our first hires, as they have been incredible to work with and deserve to be fully compensated for their talent, skill and passion.
# 2 FIX OUR WEBSITE
Our website was built in 2013 and so instead of putting good money after bad and fixing it up over time, we decided to let it be until we could afford a new rocketship! The time has come to build our new rocketship. We need sophisticated data, we need metrics, we need to be able to blog about fun stuff you can buy.
# 3 EXPAND OUR PRODUCT RANGE AND CREATE MORE AWESOME COLLABORATIONS
We’ve already made ties with rockstars, produced our own fanzines, and now, created the perfect bag for the modern professional. IMAGINE how many people we could inspire/serve if we had some more resources. We could collaborate with bands/MCs to create rad shirts. We could grow our line of bags to include gym bags and backpacks. We could be like Ralph and create clothing for all the occasions of your life. Imagine J-E blazers, rocker boots, raglan sleeve henleys, leather loafers, canvas sneakers…how amazing would that be?!
LINER NOTES/CREDITS:
Written & Produced By Elliot Aronow
Art Direction by Victoria D’Esposito
Product Photography by Alisandra Pardo
Video Editing by Hanna Park
Video Filming by Winston Case + Forest Erwin
Video Music by Tyler McCauley
Risks and challenges
While this is not our first time at the rodeo launching a brand, we have yet to master the art of the logistics business as it pertains to mailing bags. Knowing that this could be a weak spot, we are going to take extra care to sure up our mailing and shipping strategies.
Another area we will focus on post-funding is finding out the best way for you to choose which color or colors you want.
We feel very confident that we will be able to ship all product to all backers by the end of APRIL 2017.
HOWEVER should demand for product be so great that we run out of our current stock, we may need an extra few months for our factory to produce more bags.
Thank you so much for giving us a shot! These really are some beautiful bags.