Kipling was founded in 1987 in Antwerp, Belgium. The brand has been a part of VF Corporation since 2004 and has been a leader in selling handbags, backpacks, totes, luggage and accessories. Kipling established itself as a global handbag brand by embodying a lighthearted spirit and pioneering the use of its signature crinkle nylon. Today, Kipling has 250 employees across its corporate offices in Antwerp, New Jersey, São-Paolo and Hong-Kong. Kipling bags are sold in more than 80 countries internationally and can be found in more than 7,500 stores and . It’s among the global leaders in selling durable bags, designed for everyone.
Detailed history
Founding
Kipling was founded in 1987 in Antwerp, Belgium. One Monday, three enterprising Belgians, Vincent Haverbeke, Xavier Kegels and Paul Van De Velde, decided it was time to shake up the conventional handbag world. Inspired by their travels around the world, the trio dared to be different from the start - sometimes without even meaning to! Believe it or not, it was a mistake during the dyeing process that pulled the Kipling look together. One afternoon, the colour dye overheated and the nylon was left crinkled, becoming one of the most recognisable fabric in the world; crinkle nylon! The founders of Kipling were inspired by the children’s popular and playful story, The Jungle Book. The spirit of Kipling is and always has been about adventure, discovery and curiosity. The brand however, has no connection with its author, Rudyard Kipling, as an individual or his sentiments and his historical connections to racism and controversial writings.
Timeline
1986: The original founders of Kipling decided to create a new bags company in Antwerp, Belgium.
Kipling is more than a bag brand. Kipling represents an optimistic outlook on life, a light-hearted mentality, free spirit, and inclusivity. Kipling products are created to inspire mobility, enable you to be yourself, and to Live.Light. Kipling is well known for their signature, furry monkey keychain. Over time, the monkey keychain has evolved with the brand. Now, you will see an array of monkey styles within the Kipling family; puff monkey, pom-pom monkey, robot monkey, and puff tag monkey. Today, Kipling’s design team thoughtfully pairs each unique collection of bags with one of their many lovable monkeys. In 2004, VF Corporation acquired Kipling. VF Corporation is an American worldwide apparel and footwear company founded in 1899 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado. VF Corporation has a diverse portfolio of iconic brands across a broad spectrum of activities and lifestyles including The North Face, Timberland and Vans.
Product
Kipling is famous for its casual-styled accessories, bags, backpacks and luggage. Besides its iconic crinkle nylon fabric, the brand produces bags in many other classic and innovative materials. Its offering ranges from pouches, wallets and small key hangers to handbags, cross-bodies, totes, backpacks, weekenders and luggage. The brand is also popular for its bright, heavy-duty travel pieces, as well as for its colourful and long-lasting schoolbags among kids.
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From the brand's product range, one bag family stands out more than others, the iconic Art. It is a versatile handbag that was introduced in 1988. Since then, each season Kipling provides consumers with new executions on the bag. Another important Kipling style to mention is the Seoul backpack. It is a backpack with a recognisable rounded front pocket, popular among both kids and adults for school and work.
