Summer Travel Done Right With The Perfect Bag (Win!)

It’s a no-brainer: the best travel experiences begin and end with a good bag. And no one knows this better than Elizabeth Hardy, owner of and designer at Espe, who creates beautiful vegan bags that are both stylish and purposeful. We chatted with Elizabeth to learn more about her design ethos, and get her insider tips on travel, with bags! —Vita Daily

Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.

I am a very proud mother of three incredible children (I am biased of course) and I am very fortunate to be married for 25 years to a remarkable person. My love for fashion was passed down from my mother.  She grew up in wartime England in a large family with little means but somehow she always managed to be dressed in the latest styles.  She would sew clothes for my sister and myself  – and she whipped up some pretty fabulous outfits. When I graduated from university I moved to London, England where I landed a dream job for an international fashion company called French Connection.  Working my way up through the business, I eventually brought the brand to Canada, and managed the Canadian business for 20 years. 

When and why did you launch Espe?  

Once I left French Connection I decided it was time to use all of the tools I had acquired and start something of my own. At my age starting from scratch seemed daunting so I looked into buying a business.  I found a site called Biz Buy Sell which buys and sells businesses (who knew?).  I saw a vegan handbag company and I knew it would fit right into my wheelhouse. Being an animal lover and advocate owning a cruelty free fashion business was a dream come true.  I signed the final papers on February 14, 2020 and we all know what happened a month later!  The pandemic was a challenge and a blessing. The drop in sales was nerve wracking but I was able to take the time to retool the business to what it is today.

What niche were/are you aiming to fill?

The women I love designing for the most are the 40+ niche.  Women who love their handbags and look for functionality and originality.  She does not necessarily follow all of the trends but wants to stand out in a crowd and she loves lots of pockets and clever places to hold her phone, cards and all the other items she carries with her. 

What products do you currently offer, and what makes them unique?

Espe designs and manufactures cruelty free handbags and wallets for women.  Our whimsical designs are our most popular.  We design functional bags with gorgeous floral designs that our customers love and are known to collect from season to season.

When it comes to travelling, both long distances and short ones, what are some of the most important elements to look for in a bag?

A good travel bag needs to have room and easy access for travel essentials.  The bags we suggest for travelling are compact but have room for a boarding pass, travel documents, cards, glasses and of course easy access to your phone. 

Do travel bags need to sacrifice style for function? What’s your take?

Absolutely not! There is no need to ever sacrifice style!  You can carry a functional bag but make it a brighter colour or whimsical design – you can have standout style and function when travelling for sure!

From Espe’s collection, what is your absolutely favourite travel bag for summer.

The bag I travel with the most is the iSmart.  It has a large exterior phone pocket that makes it easy to access your phone or even your boarding pass.  It is designed with an  attached zip around wallet that keeps all of your important documents and cards safe.  The best thing about the iSmart is that it can be worn as a crossbody. It is always with me and when I am flying and I just pop it into the seat pocket and I know exactly where it is at all times.  Also, the iSmart comes in an amazing selection of colours and whimsical designs so there is one for everyone’s style.

espe.ca

Win! Two Perfect Travel Companions From Espe!

Congrats Marilyn M. of Vancouver, BC, who will receive two Espe items (the perfect travel companions) in the colours of their choosing (based on availability), including:

• iSmart – small crossbody purse with built in wallet making it a great handsfree travel companion with room for cards, boarding pass and passport.
• Charmain – simple and sophisticated larger crossbody bucket bag with practical and functional exterior slip pockets and multiple zipped interior compartments.

Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.