Cordsbag & Bags For Benefits – The Corduroy Tote For A Good Cause

{Aidan Miskella}

When you think of the 70’s, you think of bell bottom pants, disco, roadtrips in a station wagon or van, and last but not least, corduroy! There is no fabric that screams 70’s like corduroy does. “The timeless fabric is durable, form-fitting, supremely comfortable and pretty grooving looking”, says Phoebe James, founder and creator of Cordsbag. 

Cordsbag originated in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, when Phoebe wanted a corduroy tote bag. So she made one. Then she made some for her friends. And now, for the last couple years, she’s been making one after another, after another. From what started as a hand-made tote bag, it soon turned into a range of cord hats and face masks made from offcuts and recycled materials when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, with countless apparel ideas which are currently in the works.

Along with hand making these stylish and durable tote bags, Phoebe also focuses her efforts on designing and producing samples of future items, inspired by the cords community, feedback from friends, and her local area - we all know how diverse Melbourne is to leach ideas off. 

Ensuring quality is one of the three most important elements in the business, along with her customers, and doing her part in helping out the community and the environment – which is a never ending journey. 

The brand’s most recent project comes in the form of Bags for Benefits. The exciting fundraiser is a collaboration with local artists, allowing them to design a print for the bags’ lining with all proceeds going to a charity of the artist’s choice. The first Bag for Benefits was designed by Okey Poke, the moniker for Melbourne-based artist Natasha Carmeni. The design featured an abstract take on Australian flora which was colourful and contrasted the camel coloured tote perfectly. Best of all, the full $65 went straight to the Dementia Australia Research Foundation – a cause that Carmeni holds close to her heart. Extremely popular, the limited edition tote has already sold out with punters eagerly standing by for the next design.

If you know what’s good for you, you would be keeping an eye on what Cordsbag has got coming up in the future, with a range of of apparel including jumpers, skirts, shorts, and pants are all in the works, as well as more Bags For Benefits to come.

If you want to purchase any product from Cordsbag, head over to the Instagram; @cordsbag or jump on the website www.cordsbag.com to secure your awesome, handmade corduroy goods!