In 2020, my sister and I founded RIVERANDBOATS.
I am a shipwreck archaeologist. While traveling widely for fieldwork, I became captivated by vintage bags—their storied silhouettes, leathers, and fabrics enthralled me from the start.
I longed for a functional, lightweight piece with the timeless style I love, yet at a sensible price. As an academic without a stable income, I often had to plan meticulously just to afford a well-crafted, distinctive bag.
I realized many women, like me, seek a durable, stylish bag of outstanding workmanship—one that doesn’t require sacrificing life’s small pleasures to purchase. Finding nothing that met all these expectations, I decided to create it myself.
After completing my Ph.D. at Oxford, I charted a new course as an independent bag designer.
In my research, I discovered that a large share of a bag’s price often goes toward advertising—a cost that can push a quality bag beyond the reach of many.
Determined to make premium bags more affordable, we forgo paid advertising and rely solely on word-of-mouth from satisfied customers.This straightforward approach cuts prices by 30–50%. Our bags use top-tier leathers and rugged fabrics, crafted by seasoned artisans—yet with no advertising costs, prices remain as low as possible.
Now in its third year, RIVERANDBOATS owes its growth to early customers who believed in us and helped spread the word. Each bag’s design is inspired by the various vintage bags I encountered on archaeological expeditions around the world, and every piece bears the name of an ancient ship.
Life is a river—may our bags be your steadfast companion on every journey you long to take.