"It’s fair to be skeptical about celebrity-endorsed products—brand deals, influencer marketing, and advertisements have blurred the lines between which products are standouts and which are simply part of paid promotions. Yet, the popularity of Freja NYC’s bags stems from much more than just having Hailey Bieber, Alix Earle, and Gabrielle Union’s stamp of approval. Scroll on any popular social media app, and you’ll find your favorite influencer or editor donning a Freja purse. Their popular East-West style bags like the Caroline (which Bieber endorsed) and the Chrystie went viral for their luxury feel and surprisingly low price tags.
Designer bag prices are skyrocketing to exorbitantly annoying prices. In March, Chanel increased their Medium Flag Bag to cost nearly $11,000. For reference, the same bag cost $5,800 in 2019. It’s not just Chanel, either; luxury brands across the board are raising their prices. Where a young 20-something like myself could once budget and save for a splurge-worthy bag, it’s just not a possibility anymore. Thankfully, brands like Freja are closing the gap, offering affordable pieces with luxury-like silhouettes and materials, with even more transparency when it comes to their pricing and manufacturing practices than their luxury counterparts.
Freja NYC’s bags come in a handful of easy-to-wear neutral tones and functional shapes across shoulder bags, totes, bucket bags, and more. Beyond this, what sets them apart is that the bags are made in small batches with ultrafiber leather, and their most popular shoulder bags are all under $300.
If you’ve never heard of ultrafiber leather, it’s another form of vegan leather that’s actually somewhat sustainable. Why ultrafiber? “I knew I wanted to use a material that I could be 100% confident in, in regards to traceability and manufacturing, and also had a premium look and feel. After a few months of materials research and testing, we decided on ultrafiber,” Freja NYC Founder Jenny Lei said.
Ultrafiber is created using recycled microfiber with a layer of water-based polyurethane, rather than an oil-based polyurethane. Ultrafiber has some impressive stats: It’s OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it’s free of over 100 chemicals. While microfiber is a plastic-based product, the brand uses microfiber made of recycled plastics.
Although a $300 bag is still not an easy purchase, Lei is very open about the cost of materials, labor, and packaging. The brand’s website has a price transparency section, breaking down the costs that make up each bag so you know exactly what you’re paying for. “I think it’s so important to be honest with your customers about what they’re buying and how it was made so they have all the information to make an informed decision,” Lei said. “Personally, these are all things that I take into consideration when making purchases myself.” Lei also has a newsletter where she documents the brand’s journey, product design, and lessons learned.
A brand that’s intentional, thoughtful, affordable, and timeless? Sign us up. Freja NYC is a rare gem that checks off all the boxes, and is allowing us to have a luxury bag experience at a fraction of the cost.
