The Story of the Zurich Bag
Like many good ideas, this one began with a need.
I used to carry a Freitag bag — one which I absolutely loved and still do! But as I balanced work, I found it a little too heavy for everyday use. I began wondering: what if I had something just as strong and functional, but lighter?
Then one stormy day, something unexpected happened. Our sun blinds fell — large pieces of sturdy fabric suddenly lying there, torn from their place. Most people would have thrown them away. But I saw something else.
I sewed some tote bags and gave them as gifts, I still had some fabric left on my stash. So I sew my first rucksack bag (seen in the above picture)from those blinds at the Social fabric. Social Fabric is refugee platform I’m proud to be part of. It’s a space where I go often to sew, connect, and feel part of a creative community.So I made my first bag there. It was simple, but it worked — lightweight, structured, and unexpectedly stylish. I started carrying it to work. Slowly, people began noticing. Friends asked for photos. Strangers stopped to compliment it. That’s when I thought: maybe this isn’t just for me. Maybe it could be something more.
A Textile Journey (with a Twist)
As many of you know, textiles have been my world for years. And coming from India and that too from Jaipur, it could also be in my DNA. I’ve actually been sewing bags since I was around 11 years old — mostly totes from my brothers old jeans, which I often gave away as gifts. That early love never left me.
Now as you all know my clothing label House of Creativ-ity I started in Covid times for the love of textiles, and to be able to support small businesses, connect with a NGO and bring the Hand block printed fabric here in Zürich. But honestly lately I have been seeing a bit shift and a challenge here in Zürich/Switzerland and even all over Europe, in the retail shopping. The big stores have started taking over the businesses of the small stores. For me it was clear, I want to be connected to the textiles, do something creative, local, sustainable and with a social and environmental impact!
But one idea has kept me grounded: to rescue what’s often discarded. Rescuing the fabrics which otherwise would land up in Garbage.
Those sun blinds?
They’re usually thrown away. So are the leftover scraps from fabric production — the offcuts, the remnants, the forgotten bits. I started collecting them. These are all sourced from mainly Zürich and some around Switzerland It’s become my way of working with what’s already around me — sustainable, up-cycycleable and giving new life to these fabrics and also giving hope and jobs to migrated women and also me who have migrated here 25 years ago.
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The bags playful shape was inspired by a popcorn bag — something light, foldable, and easy to carry. I designed it myself, carefully developed to balance structure with movement and practicality!
A Bag with Local Roots
The Zurich bag may have started with me, but it’s now the work of many hands. I got to know such amazing people, with whom I work and without them this bag wouldn't reach to all of you. It feels like they are the member of House of Creativ-ity Family and everyone who supports us too.
The design "IN ZÜRICH" was created by Ahmed Kron /artuflly Ahmed is an amazing Artist, very creative, kind and extremely efficient and a very good friend of mine. He has developed many designs for Zürich, but we had chosen this one for now.
and now thanks to the person who has executed this design on the screen and made the screen locally here in Zurich/Altstetten. He is Chris! Chris Hart, Chris is just amazing at what he does. And how would I not like Chris, he has a picture of Ganesha too in his studio!
And the sewing? That’s done by refugee and migrant women, as part of a community-based production effort. Each bag supports local livelihoods and tells a bigger story of belonging and rebuilding.
More Than Just a Bag
This is more than a product. It’s a piece of a larger journey — one that weaves together sustainability, design, and local community.
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I truly hope you enjoy using it, and I thank you for being part of our journey. You can find these bags at the website and also at our shop from Zuerich tourims from next week onwards, at the Zürich train station, where I also work as a tour guide.
PS: Since some of the bags are used by the old sun blinds, thats why sometimes you might find a little stain or two on the bag. That is not a defect, that is just the last use marks of the bag which is telling its story.
Thank for reading the article and thank you for supporting.
Best Regards
Ity Tiwari
Founder: House of Creativ-ity