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Minnessak partners with Alpha Industries to make bags out of deadstock MA-1 flying jackets

Tom Bottomley
08 January 2025

London-based sustainable bag brand Minnessak has today announced a partnership with US outerwear giants Alpha Industries to repurpose MA-1 flying jackets for its AW25 collection of bags and accessories.  

Minnessak already upcycles vintage and deadstock MA-1’s, but this new deal means it now has access to jackets from one of the original and largest suppliers to the United States Air Force (USAF).

Peter Keep, co-founder of Minnessak, said: "Minnessak was established on a commitment to upcycling and repurposing everything from fabrics to hardware, and the styles at the heart of the brand lean heavily into vintage military-grade nylons taken from USAF MA-1 jackets.

"So, it makes perfect sense that Minnessak’s first official partner is Alpha Industries, the brand most associated to the instantly recognisable MA-1 jacket."

Matthew Pantoja, Chief Brand Officer at Alpha Industries, added: "At Alpha Industries, we are always exploring the profound influence of military style on fashion.

"Collaborating with Minnessak allows us to see this influence through a new lens as our iconic MA-1 jackets are reimagined and upcycled into something unique. We’re honoured that Minnessak considered Alpha Industries as a partner in its innovative journey."

Now stocked in over 20 premium fashion stores internationally, including END in the UK, Minnessak’s "planet-friendly" bags were born from a commitment to sustainability and a dedication to reclaiming the highest quality deadstock materials.

It’s the brainchild of Minnessak co-founder and Creative Director, Jas Sehmbi, whose former leather accessories brand Jas M.B. sold in over 500 stores including Selfridges and Liberty, with own own-brand stores in London, Tokyo and Shanghai.

Sehmbi said: "For us, it all begins with people. When we design our bags, we first imagine how people move. How they carry themselves. How they stand. Function informs each of our designs with the execution rooted in sustainable practises.

"Minnessak is the Swedish word for ‘keepsake’ and due to the craft and quality of the materials and production, our bags are designed to be used every day and cherished for a lifetime. Ultimately, we’d like our bags to become keepsakes."

Each vintage MA-1 jacket is hand cut expertly by Minnessak’s team of ateliers at its London workshop before being meticulously recrafted using deadstock Swiss RiRi zips, soft 20 year-old Italian leathers for trims and hardwearing canvas straps.

The AW25 collection also introduces a swathe of freshly sourced vintage Japanese Obi silks, as well as a limited-edition run of Halley Stevenson dry waxed cotton.

Though the bags are predominantly unisex, wholesale sales for men’s is being driven by long-standing menswear sales agent Robert Excell, who has drafted in former Selfridges, Liberty and My Wardrobe buying chief, as well as more recently global sales agent for Turkish bag brand Manu Atelier, Luisa de Paula, to head up womenswear sales (read our interview with Luisa here).

Minnessak’s complete AW25 collection will be available to view in the ‘I Go Out’ section at Pitti Uomo in Florence from 14-17 January, as well as Show & Tell in Chicago from February 3-4 and D&A in New York from 16-18 February.

The collection will also be presented at Minnessak’s London showroom, with UK wholesale prices ranging from £35 - £239.


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