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About

About


Ittara was born from the need for a stylish, functional, and sustainable alternative to both animal leather and synthetic leather bags. Most 'vegan' leather options we came across were made from PU or PVC, which degrade quickly, end up in landfills, and can take hundreds of years to break down. We also struggled to find a bag that met our needs for organization, structure, and functionality. Bags made from natural materials like jute or cotton often felt limited in style, aesthetics, and practicality. So, we created Ittara with the goal of designing beautiful, stylish, and highly functional bags using the finest sustainable materials. After years of refining designs to maximize space, efficiency, and an organized, intuitive experience, we found some of the best craftspeople in India to handcraft our bags with care. The result: visually stunning, innovative bags that are lightweight, easy to carry, and designed to keep you organized.

Artfully Engineered Luxury

At Ittara, we are rethinking handbags—how they are carried, their contents, shape, compartments, and more. In addition to a focus on craftsmanship and aesthetics, every component is intentionally crafted and strategically placed to enhance efficiency, comfort, and organization. People have always used bags to carry essentials, but the functional requirements of handbags have changed significantly in recent years due to busier lives, travel, and increased multitasking. Handbags are now essential accessories at airports, offices, buses, and trains. They often accommodate heavy laptops, documents, and personal items. Many people spend hours carrying these bags on their shoulders. Despite these changes in lifestyle, the handbag industry has made little progress in the functional design and structure of the bags. The primary focus remains on style and aesthetics, while largely ignoring comfort and functionality that can define the experience of carrying a bag. Factors like bag weight, strap shape, strap length, and thickness can greatly impact shoulder fatigue. Strategically designed compartments can define ease of finding keys in a large tote, retrieving a ringing phone while standing in a moving train, or quickly locating a metro card while juggling a cup of coffee with the other hand. Ittara bags are designed to be lightweight and easy to carry. The compartments are designed for optimal use of pockets and space to enable easy access—even with one hand while holding onto a subway rail. We create bags that meet the pace and demands of today’s users. The result is visually stunning, innovative bags that are lightweight, easy to carry, and intuitively organized.

Beauty & Craft

Ittara celebrates beauty in craft, nature, and the planet. Each bag is handcrafted by some of the most skilled artisans in India, using the finest materials with meticulous attention to detail. Ittara bags feature one-of-a-kind options of handmade Bidri, Koftgiri, and Gulabi Meenakari Logos.

  • Bidri Logo: Bidriware is a metal handicraft from the city of Bidar in Karnataka, India. It was developed in the 14th century C.E. during the rule of the Bahmani Sultans. It involves a laborious 8-step process of inlaying pure silver on a blackened alloy of zinc & copper.

  • Koftgiri: Koftgiri, an exquisite and intricate art form, has its roots deeply embedded in the cultural and historical fabric of India. The origins of Koftgiri can be traced back approximately 500 to 700 years, flourishing during the Mughal era.

    It involves engraving intricate designs onto the iron surface and inlaying and ‘beating’ thin wires or sheets of gold or silver into the grooves, so it adheres firmly to the iron surface. The result is a stunning contrast between the gleaming precious metals and the dark, robust iron, creating an effect that is both visually striking and evocative of the era's opulence.

  • Gulabi Meenakari: The holy city of Varanasi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is home to Gulabi Meenakari or Pink Enameling, an ancient art form. With roots in Persia, this Mughal-era artform is characterized by its unique pink strokes on white enamel engraved in metal.

In this delicate artform, artisans adorn a metal surface by fusing pieces of different mineral elements over it. Gold was primarily used for this handcrafted metal decoration which is now replaced by silver and copper. Gulabi means pink hence it derives its name from the prominent use of the color pink which has now evolved into fusion of vibrant colors. In India, the versatile art of enameling surfaces of metal is called "meenakari" and the craftsman "meenakar".

Our Bags


Functional and Innovative

Ittara bags are engineered to organize and carry better! Our product team includes mechanical engineering experts who contribute to the functional and structural aspects of the designs.

Structure

Unless part of the design, Ittara bags are built to maintain their shape and structure, making them easy to place on various surfaces. Whether on the floor of a moving bus or train, they will stay steady.

Lightweight

Ittara bags are made from fine cork, which is significantly lighter than materials like animal leather or PU/PVC. All our bags, including larger laptop and shopper totes, are incredibly lightweight, allowing you to carry them for hours without getting tired.

Comfort

Straps can make or break your bag experience.

  • If they're too thin, they dig uncomfortably.
  • If they're too wide, they slide down.
  • If they're too short, they’re hard to put on the shoulder.
  • If they're too long, they obstruct your walking.

After extensive design consideration and testing, we have created straps with optimal width and length for comfortable, all-day wear that won't dig into or slip from your shoulder.

The straps are adjustable in length, allowing them to fit different body shapes and sizes.

Organization

Compartments are thoughtfully designed for intuitive organization and easy access to contents. Depending on the bag type, there are dedicated compartments for:

· Wallet and phone for quick access

· Laptop

· Custom-made key hook that eliminates the need for clunky dog hooks, fasteners, or clasps

· Earbuds

· Charging cables

· Makeup

· iPad

· Water bottle

· Files and documents

· Miscellaneous items

· Spacious main compartment for larger items

Bidriware Logo

Your Ittara bag isn’t adorned with just any logo—it features a rare, handcrafted Silver Bidriware emblem, transforming it into a true piece of art, like a precious ornament in its own right. Bidriware, with a legacy of over 700 years, originates from the historic district of Bidar in Karnataka, India. This ancient craft blends influences from Turkish, Persian, and Arabic traditions with local Indian artistry, creating a timeless fusion of beauty and history. Each Bidri logo on our bags is entirely handmade, a process that takes between 2 to 4 days to perfect. It involves a meticulous 8-step process, where pure silver is intricately inlaid into a blackened alloy of zinc and copper. This extraordinary technique has been passed down through generations of artisans, remaining exclusive to Bidar. In a truly unique touch, a special soil from the Bidar Fort—untouched by rain or sunlight for centuries—is used to enhance the Bidri objects, adding even more depth to the craftsmanship. At Ittara, we are proud to infuse this centuries-old art form into our designs, offering more than just a logo. It’s a symbol of heritage, artistry, and the enduring value of handcrafted perfection—a statement of pride and sophistication for those who appreciate the true meaning of luxury.

Care Tips


CORK CARE TIPS:

Storing: o Store your cork bag in the provided dust bag and ensure it's completely dry before putting it away. o To assist the bag in maintaining its shape, try storing it in a way that prevents it from ending up creased or flattened. o Avoid storing it in humid or damp areas, as this can lead to mold or mildew growth. Instead, keep it in a cool, dry location like a closet or drawer. · Cleaning: o To clean your cork bag, simply dampen a cloth with water and delicately wipe the surface. o Let it dry naturally, preferably away from sunlight. o Avoid exposure to excess heat or water. o Never machine wash your cork bag.

BIDRI CARE TIPS:

The Bidri label can maintain its brilliance indefinitely, if taken care of properly. · Cleaning: Never use soap, salt, or any kind of acid for cleaning. Instead, use water and a soft cloth to clean. · Moisture Control: Keep Bidri products away from moisture and water; in case of water contact, simply clean with a soft cloth and wipe with coconut oil. · Shine Restore: To restore the shine and gloss of silver, wipe the surface with coconut oil.

INR
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