“Hardcore handcraft in its purest form” promises Berlin backpack brand, Cho’jac (pronounced “tscho-chac”), and to that we would add good looks and plenty of soul. The small Berlin business with a big heart is reviving the traditional “cho’jac” net bags of Mexico’s indigenous Tzotzil Maya, which are created from agave leaf fibres in the high Mexican mountains. The woven nets are then brought to Germany and crafted into sleek, practical backpacks with linen lining and thick leather straps, by people with disabilities in traditional workshops around Berlin. Take a closer look at the bags — available in “asphalt black” or “natural coffee” — on Cho’jac’s online shop, and while you’re there, don’t miss the short film that provides a heartwarming insight into the work and lives of some of the Tzotzil Maya artisans the brand works with. It offers a fascinating insight into a humble partnership that’s paving the way for the future of sustainable, fair and conscious production — all whilst in style. (Text: Anna Dorothea Ker)
Cho’jac — backpacks by tms*, online store, Instagram.
