Wicker Wings is a family business founded in Manchester by sibling duo James and Belinda to empower artisans with financial independence through their handmade, sustainable wicker bags.
origins
In 2015, after discovering the story of their grandmother Māma (奶奶))(, who weaved baskets by hand to support her family in China, James and Belinda Yu decided to continue this artisanal path and design a modern take on the wicker basket Family history and culture as well as design are the cornerstones of Wicker Wings.
evolution
Every single bag is handmade. Wicker Wings uses the highest quality rattan, a plant that grows from a single seed along with the vines. Due to its rapid growth and ability to regenerate, rattan is a very sustainable material. The bags are handmade in a small village in Indonesia and then sent to the UK where they are finished with leather. The leather comes from Italy and is tanned with tree bark and flowers, which have a significantly lower impact on the environment than traditional tanning methods.
The fan bag quickly became the label’s signature, with its sculptural and eye-catching design.
Current
Wicker Wings, now an internationally renowned brand, has managed to make wicker bags an integral part of the modern wardrobe. The brand now also produces mobile phone cases and card holders. They are made from the remaining 15 percent leather that is left over from the production of the bags. James and Belinda’s grandmother is still involved in the manufacturing process of the products on a daily basis.