Before starting SÉYGE, I had just begun working in the family business — one that's been in the world of bags for years. I vividly remember attending my first Canton Fair in Guangzhou (2025), not knowing what to expect, but completely amazed by everything on display. Each supplier had something unique to offer, yet they all shared the same thing at their core: a dedication to craftsmanship. Whether it was a factory worker, an employee, or the founder, everyone in that hierarchy carried the same level of dedication and expertise.
But seeing the thousands of bags on show, I noticed a pattern — most pieces were either completely functional but didn’t feel elevated, or entirely fashion-forward with no real versatility. It made me think about the bags I carried myself, and realised none of them combined both either.
I generally start my days with a workout — pilates, or the gym — getting ready there before heading straight to work. On those days, I'd carry my regular tote in one hand, laptop and basic cosmetics stuffed into whatever pocket had room, a water bottle smuggled somewhere between clothes dumped inside. On the other hand, a paper bag with spare sneakers I'd lost more than once, simply because I never had one bag that could carry me through that transition.
Coming back from the trip and settling back into routine, the problem only became more obvious. Being immersed in an environment as fast-paced and corporate as Hong Kong's, I realised there had to be a lot of people who felt the same way — juggling an early workout, the office by 9am, and after-work plans, all in one day. So I started asking friends what they actually carried day to day, what mattered most to them in a daily bag, and what would just be "nice to have." Slowly, the vision came into focus.I wanted one bag you could take to a workout and straight into the rest of your day — something that could hold spare shoes and clothes for after training, space for basic makeup and skincare in the morning, and still fit a laptop, a water bottle, and your valuables, without ever looking bulky or "gym bag-y." That was a lot to ask for, and I hadn't really seen anyone do it. But thinking back to the fair, and to the multi-faceted factories just across the border with incredible expertise and an eye for detail, I knew it was possible.
