“Gingham Afternoon Collection” is a collaboration with South African illustrator Katherine Horn. The idea bloomed while we were sitting by the canal at St. John’s College on a warm, sunny day. We wanted to share the feeling of that summer in Cambridge - sunlit picnics, gingham blankets, and the nostalgia of handwritten postcards.

The bag is generously sized and handy, fitting an A4 sketchbook and even my 15-inch laptop! There are two pockets on the outside - one with a zipper and one with slots for pens and markers, or even to hold your sunglasses on a bright sunny day out. The inside is lined with beautiful light green gingham fabric, while the outside is made from a sturdy yet soft-touch twill. The bag is top-stitched in a contrasting color for a fun accent - the white bags are stitched in green, and the brown bags in ivory. Cherry blossoms hold special meaning for me. When I lived in Japan, their bloom signaled spring and new beginnings. Even though they last only about a week, people would gather for hanami (literally translates to "flower viewing"), picnicking beneath the trees with snacks and drinks. I think it's so beautiful that a flower could bring people together and creates lasting memories - just as it did for me.