For nearly a decade, we’ve explored some of the most exciting next-generation materials we could find — always searching for new ways to balance beautiful design, functionality and durability.
Along the way, we’ve worked with materials including Piñatex®, made using pineapple leaf fiber; MIRUM®, a plastic-free plant-based vegan leather; cork; apple-based alternatives; and other innovative materials. Each brought something different to the design process and helped shape the way we think about what a handbag material can be.
When we began developing the Vita Tote, we wanted to take everything we’d learned and create something distinctly our own.
Starting with organic cotton
We began with GOTS-certified organic cotton and developed a heavyweight canvas finished with a water-resistant, PVC-free TPU coating.
The goal was to create a material that could stand up to everyday life while retaining the natural foundation of cotton — something practical enough for work and travel, but refined enough to carry every day.
Creating the Svala print
The next step was developing a pattern that would be unmistakably Svala.
Our custom print is built around a recurring diamond motif formed from our swallow — the namesake of Svala and a symbol of freedom, resilience and new beginnings.
The result became our signature canvas: a material and motif created specifically for Svala.
Finding the right finishing material
For the straps and trim, we chose Sileather®, a 100% silicone material engineered to capture the soft, refined feel of calf leather without the use of animal leather.
Naturally stain-resistant and designed for durability, it gave us the combination of feel, performance and finish we were looking for.
Listening to Our Community
During the making of the Svala Vita Tote, we focused heavily on listening to the feedback from our community regarding the traditional heritage canvas tote. While that classic silhouette has long been a staple of the modern wardrobe, the everyday reality of carrying a traditional luxury designer shopper often falls short of contemporary needs.
Our community expressed frustration with unstructured, "floppy" silhouettes that completely collapse when set down, chemical-heavy synthetic PVC coatings, and open tops that leave tech and essentials completely exposed. We designed the Vita Tote to be a direct, sustainable alternative to these legacy heritage totes.
The Vita Tote
By pairing our custom lightweight and water resistant GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas with a recessed top zipper, architectural protective metal feet, interior organization and a detachable wristlet, with room for a 14-inch laptop and a structurally reinforced base, we created a high-end daily workhorse that fixes the traditional design flaws of old-world travel totes without compromising on conscious luxury.
The finished Vita Tote brings these elements together in a bag designed for work, travel and everything in between.
For us, the Vita represents the next chapter in a material journey that has always been central to Svala: continuing to explore what’s possible while creating something that feels distinctly our own.