More than just the trendy bag of the moment, backpacks are becoming a true wardrobe staple. No better time, we reckon, for Tuesday Style Fashion (TSF) to share the collection of African-inspired backpacks by local designer Gabrielle Sadé Clarke (GSC) who, by her own account, was drawn to the Rastafarian culture the result of being christened and raised in an Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

“Even though I started UWI to study the sciences, I was always around elderly creative people who were really good at garment construction and pattern making, and that’s where I developed the skill,” she shared.

Indeed, her first bag was made at UWI out of necessity. Starting a collection or selling was hardly top-of-mind. “I just wanted a bag for school,” she shared. Unbeknownest to her, her talent was being observed by her dormmates who encouraged her to participate in a fashion show that would be hosted by the UWI.

She’d need a name for the collection. Enter: Quaint, birthed in 2015.

“The name Quaint came about from brainstorming for a label name that would stand out and evoke conversation. Quaint refers to something unusual or interesting, just like my creations. My aim has been to increase African awareness one Africa-inspired item at a time while empowering others to follow their passion and do what they love. I believe that it’s important to know your roots and represent it boldly,” she said.

All Quaint by GSC bags are made with leatherette at Clarke’s studio and feature a printed outline of the African map. She’s not oblivious to the attendant scepticism around the use of leatherette… “I try to source quality leatherette for a premium finish… I’ve been using it to create bags since the inception of my brand and I haven’t had any complaints. The backpacks are durable and have been fortified with multiple measures of reinforcement, and their outer coating never strips.”

Whatever your plans are, slinging a backpack over your shoulders adds convenience and comfort, allowing you to be hands-free. So, whether it’s a sporty style that will take you from the office to the gym, a sleek and edgy one for everyday use, or a compact bag for exploring a new city, TSF selected a few from Quaint by GSC that you might want to carry.