It’s a difficult ask to get a product that is made out of recycled materials and also looks like something you’d proudly stroll down the boulevard clutching. But trust the Swiss – in 1993 Zurich locals Markus and Daniel Freitag stumbled upon the idea of transforming old truck tarps into messenger bags and they managed to hit onto a design that is aesthetically the absolute bees knees.  

FREITAG has been a long-time love obsession of Merge’s, and today they produce a range of real sturdy products made from recycled materials. The list of what the FREITAG folk spin into gold is impressive – from the truck tarpaulins down through airbags, seatbelts, and the rubber tube inside bicycle tyres. The best part is that each piece produced is a one-off, so there’s no chance of clashing with that other kid who is constantly one step ahead of you (though you still may have to engage in some light fist shaking).   

As far as getting your hands on some FREITAG, make sure your wallet’s bulging – they ain’t cheap. There are a couple of outlets in Sydney and Melbourne that stock the brand, but we’re yet to see anywhere in Adelaide where you can get your disgusting Vegemite-stained fingers around them.  

Until then, check out their website and get drooling.
Photographs by Noë Flum.