In this edition of ASIAN VOICE, we welcome Cafuné, a handbag brand from Hong Kong founded by Queenie Fan and Day Lau in 2015. Envisioning the tender act of running your fingers through a cherished one’s hair. This seemingly ordinary gesture transforms into the fundamental essence that inspires the founders. With their simplistic yet distinctive designs, they embody the profound emotional bond between a handbag and its owner, celebrating the narrative of love woven into each accessory. While each creation exudes an understated elegance, the founders possess an unwavering commitment to meticulousness and an ardent appreciation for genuine craftsmanship. Cafuné’s fusion of timeless traditions and contemporary aesthetics serves those with an independent spirit, an inquisitive nature, and a penchant for thoughtful and deliberate choices. It caters to the imaginative and creative souls of individuals.
Day Lau: Cafuné was founded by Queenie and myself in 2015. After graduation, Queenie was working in the US as a handbag designer and she experienced first-hand the boom in contemporary handbag segment during then. There was a strong demand for affordably priced, well-designed and well-made accessories. We thought this is an opportunity that can be explored in Asia. As we have different experiences and different skills set, we decided to join force and start Cafuné together.
Day Lau: We like the tactile, gentle feeling of this action of brushing through a loved one’s hair. It’s a simple gesture, but often packed with emotion, and we strongly value the emotional connection between a handbag and its wearer, because there is a story behind every accessory. The word is not translatable to other languages, making it unique, but it is also simple enough to be universally remembered.
Day Lau: Our design takes strong inspiration from art, nature and organic forms. For example, Spring/Summer 2023 is inspired by German photographer Karl Blossfeldt’s plant photography, especially how he captures close-up the organic and sometimes unexpected details of plants.
Day Lau: Someone with an independent mind, who is curious, who makes mindful and conscious decisions.
Day Lau: As a leather accessories brand, our focus is finding the best, and most sustainable leather. Every season we visit Italy’s biggest leather fair to meet with suppliers and learn about the production process. The sustainable leather we use currently is from a Gold-rated tannery certified by Leather Working Group. It is made with minimal environmental impact.
Day Lau: From choosing the right material for each design, to the construction of the handbag, down to the distance of between each stitch, we work closely with the craftsmen to make sure the design can be perfectly presented.
Day Lau: Social media gives us a lot of space to convey brand information and share design concepts from multiple angles. For example, seasonal inspiration, product details, photoshoot BTS etc. We can also interact directly with customers on social media, bringing us closer to them so as to better understand their needs and preferences. But we also value in person experience, and this can be achieved through pop ups.
Day Lau: My personal favourite brand is Patagonia, I think they set a great example on responsible production. And they also spend a lot of resources on educating and spreading the message, helping us become responsible consumers.
Day Lau: Stay true to your vision, don’t be afraid to ask others for advice.
Stay true to your vision, don’t be afraid to ask others for advice.
