Handcrafted Leather Accessories and Earrings
Finest Leather Unique Cowhide
The origin of the saddle bag comes from Colombia in the 19th century, and its birth is inseparable from the history of Colombian coffee…
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The globally popular saddlebag has now evolved into a classic in the fashion world, with major brands introducing their unique designs. However, did you know that the earliest roots of the saddlebag trace back to the coffee regions of 19th and 20th-century Colombia? It originated in the form of a leather bag known as the Carriel.
The name “Carriel” is derived from the English words Carry All. With abundant compartments and hidden pockets, its accordion-like design enabled it to carry all essential items in an era when roads were scarce in the Andes Mountains. These journeys, spanning days or even weeks, often involved transporting coffee, vital supplies, and messages via horses or donkeys through mountains and valleys.
Juan Valdez, the largest coffee chain in South America, often referred to as the “Starbucks of South America,” originates from Colombia and has branches worldwide. Their most iconic image features a man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, carrying a Carriel saddlebag, and leading a horse loaded with coffee beans. This image perfectly captures the nostalgic essence of Colombia’s old-time coffee merchants.
The Origin of Carriel Bags and the Colombian Premium Coffee - Paisa Region
Colombia, close to the equator, is a stretch of the northern section of the Andes Mountains. It has high-altitude valleys, ample sunlight and fertile soil. It produces the world’s top Arabica beans and it is the third largest coffee producer in the world. In the 19th centuries, Colombian coffee began to be planted on a large scale and exported to Europe and the United States. It even surpassed tobacco and leather and became the main economic pillar. In order to make the coffee exports of fragmented small farmers more efficient, they not only improved the old planting methods, but also developed new logistics methods. A group of merchants and muleteers collected coffee from various farms along the way. Through collaboration between the private sector and the government, the “Federaciòn Nacional de Cafeteros” was established in 1927. This collaboration led to the creation of the Colombian coffee brand, Juan Valdez, propelling Colombian coffee onto the global stage.
A Great Traveling Bag － Carriel
「 Carriel is more than just a bag, it protects one's most cherished belongings 」
In the era before roads were built in the Andes, coffee, important supplies, and messages were carried by merchant muleteers on horses or donkeys. They often traveled over mountains and ridges for days or weeks.
There are always unexpected things during the journey, so you need to prepare everything, such as what you will use at work: receipts, account books, important letters; cigars, pipes, and harmonicas for entertainment, religious items and even a gun in case of emergency! The Tradition has 12 compartments and 5 secret inner pockets that can hold all your belongings during your trip. In the early days, it was exclusive to men, and there was a rule not to show or reveal secret inner pockets to women.
Top Leather Producing Area – Nariño Region
The southern town of Colombia, bordering Ecuador and nestled along the Andes Mountains, is renowned for its exquisite coffee. It stands out as a distinguished producer of specialty coffee. Unlike typical coffee regions, the altitude is even higher, and its proximity to the equator ensures stable sunlight throughout the year, imparting unique flavors and aromas to the coffee. Nariño boasts diverse landscapes that have fostered a flourishing livestock industry. Large-scale cattle farming produces dairy products and beef, giving rise to a prosperous leather industry that exports top-quality leather worldwide. This has earned the region the nickname “Little Italy” Nariño serves as the exclusive leather source for Bomboná Colombia, selecting only the finest materials — premium Cowhide and Full-Grain leather to preserve their natural textures.
Carriel is more than just a leather bag, it protects one's most cherished belongings
Bomboná Colombia
Reshaping the Classic
Our mission is to breathe new life into the century-old Carriel coffee saddlebag, reimagining it with a fresh modern look tailored for contemporary women. Each leather bag is meticulously handcrafted by traditional Colombian artisans, and the leather dust bags are produced through collaboration with a single mothers’ association in the capital city, Bogotá. We aim to not only share Colombian culture but also contribute to the preservation of traditional craftsmanship and support local economic development. With every purchase, you are not just acquiring our products; you are also assisting hardworking artisan families and single mothers in Colombia. We believe in the power of our customers to make a positive impact on both craftsmanship and local communities.
Cowhide Carriel
A magnificent embodiment of Colombia’s enduring heritage. Its story, entwined with centuries gone by, seamlessly weaves into the captivating narrative of coffee’s development
Pure Leather Carriel
Meticulously handcrafted from the finest full grain leather, our Pure Leather Carriel captures the leather’s texture, aroma, and embodies our dedication to ancient heritage
Triade Pouches
Enchanting your daily life with an elegant fusion of function and style. Our signature trio of pouches, crafted in full-grain leather, seamlessly complements our Carriel collection.
