Few bags attract as much attention as my Lea Roesch. It’s a seemingly universal experience among my friends as well (yes, we all carry them). Even though our Lea Roesch bags are rather minimalist, they sometimes evoke the feeling of an affordable Berlin Birkin Bag: a timeless classic, highly coveted. I have the No.7 in brown and carry it with me everywhere — whether it’s on the streets of Paris, a morning visit to the café around the corner, or packed full as hand luggage for flights. It doesn’t just look beautiful, it feels indestructible too. It’s handmade from truck tarpaulin which makes it particularly durable and waterproof. Lea, founder of her namesake label, studied fashion design and describes the bags as more of an object than an accessory. She created her first design in 2013 before a visit to Japan. At that time the bag was made of a slightly shiny coated fabric and completely white. What remains now is the shape and desire to create designs that are interesting, functional and wearable. Lea is inspired by her everyday life in Berlin, always keeping in mind what she wants in her closet.
The label was officially launched in November 2019, with a coat model and bag No.1. Then Covid intervened, following the closure of the daycare centers. Lea, herself a mother, felt compelled to take a break and move more slowly. Over the last five years, a deliberately limited collection has been created, which currently consists of three water-repellent coat models, a quilted vest, recycled scarf, and a range of bags that vary in size, color, shape and material. While the truck tarpaulins for the bags are sourced from Belgium and Spain, there is also a made-to-order leather version (No.1), made from European deadstock, a waste product from the food industry. Production is currently carried out by a small team of bag makers in Berlin and Lea herself. However, a collaboration with the Stephanos production facility in Kyritz (Brandenburg) is also planned for the future. How the collection will develop and expand is still open at the moment. A lot is being considered, but Lea wants to keep an open mind and see what comes her way. But one thing’s for sure, I’m already clearing space in my closet for one or two more pieces from Lea Roesch.
Text & Photos: Sophie Doering
Lea Roesch
@learoesch
