Built to be seen. The wallet and the charm free. The Malaika appliqué leather backpack shown with the "Nayo" duo wallet and the "Asili" leather charm — painted gouache poster.
"Malaika" Applique Leather Backpack
"Malaika" Applique Leather Backpack

Everything in The Seen Set

The backpack$109.95

Leather charm $44.95FREE

Duo wallet $49.95FREE

"Malaika" Applique Leather Backpack
"Malaika" Applique Leather Backpack
"Malaika" Applique Leather Backpack
"Malaika" Applique Leather Backpack
"Malaika" Applique Leather Backpack
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Malaika is the black-and-gold backpack that speaks for the woman wearing her.

She says who you are before you say a word: proud, quiet, impossible to overlook.

A Black woman cut from leather and stitched by hand, in gold and blush, on the bag you carry every day. Nobody has to ask what she means. They ask where she's from.

136 women reserved Malaika in her first six weeks — before a single one had shipped.

The Seen Set

Malaika is the black leather backpack you can wear to work and keep wearing all weekend. Asili is the leather Africa charm that hangs off her strap. Nayo is the small one for cards. Malaika and Nayo in black and gold, and both free pieces come with her this run.

$294.85 sold separately $109.95
$90 off the backpack 2 pieces FREE ($94.90)

96 left in the October run · then Nov 5 – 12

  1. The backpack built to be seen — Malaika — black vegan leather, gold disc, maroon inside10.2″ × 13″ × 5.1″ · fits an iPad, not a laptop · ships Oct 15 – 22Ships Oct 15 – 22 $199.95$109.95
  2. The piece on her strap people ask about — Asili — Africa cut from three leathers, on a gold clasp3.1″ × 2.8″ · clips to a handle, a strap or your keysIn stock · ships this week $44.95FREE
  3. The little one that lives in her side pocket — Nayo — quilted black, two gold Africa charms3.9″ × 3.1″ · cards and a folded billIn stock · ships this week $49.95FREE

Half the women who ordered Malaika put a second piece in the box. With the October run, the wallet and the charm come free with her.

  1. Pre-orderreserved today, Albuquerque, USA
  2. Ships Oct 15 – 22the charm and the wallet ship this week
  3. Arrives 2–8 business days laterby the speed you choose
  • ★★★★★

    “Ordered her in the presale and forgot about it. Then the wallet showed up first and now I check the mail like a kid.”

    Brenda K. · verified review
  • ★★★★★

    “My coworker saw her on the back of my chair and asked if it was custom. Nope. Afroyla.”

    Yvonne S. · verified review
  • ★★★★★

    “Everything I carry for everybody fits in her, and for once nothing is in my hands.”

    Crystal L. · verified review
  • Pre-orderships Oct 15 – 22
  • Ships from the USABlack-woman-owned, run from Albuquerque
  • 30-day returnsunused, in the original packaging

In her words

Six women, six ordinary days, one backpack.

  • Malaika backpack on her lap at the airport gate, passport in hand
    ★★★★★

    Worth every week I waited

    Ordered her in the presale and waited for the October run like everybody else. First trip was Atlanta to Montego Bay, she sat on my lap at the gate with my passport and my iPad in her and the gate agent goes ‘ma’am I need to know where that bag is from.’ Personal item, fits under the seat, no issues at all. Would wait again.

    Denise M.Verified buyer

  • ★★★★★

    iPad yes, laptop no, and I’m fine

    Read the part where it said fits an iPad not a laptop and almost didn’t order. Glad I did. My work laptop stays docked at the office anyway, my iPad, planner, wallet and charger all fit with room, and she hangs on the back of my chair looking better than anything else on this floor.

    Tanisha R.Verified buyer

  • Night mirror selfie wearing the Malaika backpack
    ★★★★★

    The elevator lady

    Took this in the hallway because a woman I have NEVER seen before stopped me in the elevator and said ‘excuse me, where is that bag from.’ Over a blazer it does not read as a school bag at all. The gold is what people notice first.

    Monique W.Verified buyer

  • ★★★★★

    The charm gets its own compliments

    Nayo came a week before the backpack and honestly she carried my cards till Malaika landed. Small, black, quilted, two gold charms on her, and she sits on the table next to my coffee like she belongs there. Asili is the Africa cut from three leathers on a gold clasp, she hangs off the strap now, and people ask about her before they ask about the bag.

    Pamela J.Verified buyer

  • Malaika backpack worn on a city street at noon
    ★★★★★

    It catches the light

    My girl took this on Peachtree because she said two people turned around behind me. Its the gold and the pink — in the sun the gold disc looks lit up and the pink hoop earring is such a small detail but you see it from across the street. Built different, for real 🖤

    KeishaVerified buyer

  • ★★★★★

    For my daughter's 30th

    Opened it on my couch to check everything before I wrapped it and had to sit there a minute. The backpack, the little quilted wallet and the leather Africa charm, all black and gold together, it looks like ONE planned gift not three things I threw together. She has had everybody's back since she was twelve. Now she has this one.

    Angela B.Verified buyer

The Details

Every measurement, before you decide.

10.2 in 13 in 5.1 in deep
Measured across the widest points. An iPad or a notebook fits; a laptop does not.
Size
10.2 × 13 × 5.1 in (26 × 33 × 13 cm). Fits an iPad or tablet, a notebook, your wallet, glasses and a bottle. A laptop does not fit.
Material
Premium vegan leather in black, hand-cut appliqué on the front: gold halo, a Black woman in profile in black leather, pink dress, cream and gold wings, pink hoop earring, gold neck rings. Gold zips and a gold AFROYLA plate.
Inside
Maroon lining, a padded tablet sleeve, slip pockets and a zip pocket.
Carry
Two padded adjustable shoulder straps and a top grab handle. Worn on the back or carried by the handle.
Closure
Gold two-way zip top. One gold zip pocket on the side — the disc on the front is artwork, not a pocket.
Shipping & returns
The charm and the wallet ship this week; Malaika is pre-order and ships Oct 15 – 22, in the order she’s claimed. Pre-order pieces ship in their own box, in the order they are claimed. 2–8 business days to your door. 30-day returns from delivery, both free pieces included.

In the box

  • The backpack — Malaika10.2 × 13 × 5.1 in · ships Oct 15 – 22
  • Leather charm — Asili3.1 × 2.8 in · clips to a handle, a strap or your keysFREE
  • Duo wallet — Nayo3.9 × 3.1 in · cards and a folded billFREE

One more time, the whole of it.

The wallet and the charm are free with Malaika while the October run lasts.

Malaika is $90 off, and the Nayo duo wallet and the Asili leather charm come free with her — $109.95, $294.85 sold separately. The charm and the wallet ship this week; Malaika is pre-order and ships Oct 15 – 22, in the order she’s claimed.

$109.95$294.85$90 off the backpack · duo wallet and leather charm FREE

96 left in the October run · then Nov 5 – 12

Malaika ships Oct 15 – 22 · the charm and the wallet ship this week · Albuquerque, USA · 30-day returns from delivery