Killspencer designs and makes a small line of high-quality bags in Los Angeles. Finally, something sustainable for the gents! Although, I know plenty of women who could rock these with panache.
I found out about this line via design blog Neu Black, and fell in love. Not only are the bags much sexier than your typical Cordura laptop bag, they’re made right here in Los Angeles. I am a huge fan of anything that keeps artisanal manufacturing jobs in the US. And if that’s not enough, two of the four materials they offer are dead stock and one is repurposed. Even the new material, a black waxed cotton, is made in the US, which is almost unheard of.
Killspencer uses high-quality hardware and fittings, like riri zippers, which are the best zippers money can buy. I use them in everything I make for myself, and have replaced Chinese-made zippers with the Swiss-made riris on more than one garment.
Yes, they’re more expensive than the Chinese laptop bag you bought at that Big Box store. But then, labor costs are drastically higher here in the US than in China, and the materials are top-notch. Speaking of which, they have only a limited supply of the dead stock fabrics, so when they’re gone, they’re gone. Although I suspect to keep the business sustainable, Killspencer will have to find other unused military fabrics. Or perhaps start scouring the flea markets for vintage to re-purpose, like Taxi CDC and Burning Torch do. In fact, I’d love to see one of their Korean War era khaki bags with a khaki repurposed jacket from Burning Torch.