Mokobara is a new age luggage Brand that is seeking to make a mark in the premium lifestyle travel space.

The word Mokobara comprises two words ‘moko’ and ‘bara’. The Maori tribe in New Zealand bear unique face tattoos which are called moko. It’s an integral part of their identity.  Bara is Swedish for ‘carry’.  It is these two words combined roughly translate to carrying one’s identity which is the ethos of this new age brand.

Mokobara is a travel and lifestyle brand that started up in January 2020 and just when it was going strong, things changed. “Navigating through the pandemic was hard but it really helped us go back to the drawing board and strengthen our vision for what’s to come. We doubled down on the design of our very first product – The Cabin Luggage. It was a time we spent in research and development. A time we spent questioning everything that we do. And we came out with incredible results,” says Apoorv Sharma, Head of Retail at Mokobara.

Mokobara has launched its first retail Store ever at Phoenix Marketcity, Whitefield, Bangalore. “It has been a few days, but the response has been extremely positive,” says Sharma. This launch is only the first of many stores to come for Mokobara. The premium travel and lifestyle brand that was founded in early 2020 is now ready to open 25 new stores in the next 18 months. The brand aims for a good distribution of stores across the metro and larger cities. Apart from the new store the brand has closed two more stores in the Mall of Asia and one in Indiranagar as well as one in Connaught Place in Delhi. They are also looking to open at least two stores in Mumbai. “The way we are approaching this is that the mall stores are what allows you a lot of walk-ins and potential sales as the mall drives in a lot of traffic. So, we are looking at the mall stores to be revenue drivers and the high street stores to be our brand builders so that must do well for the brand,” says Sharma.

The brand believes that the quality of the product must be top notch so the product is premium priced. The manufacturing is abroad but the company has now started manufacturing its luggage in India as well. The luggage is made using polycarbonate, a premium material. As of now there are now soft luggage available within the brand. Backpacks are microfiber and vegan leather material.  

Starting with cabin luggage, the brand now has expanded into more luggage sizes, totes, backpacks, laptop bags and travel accessories. “We are looking actively at expanding into handbags as this is a category where people have many of them and still want more options. As consumers we have a high bar and when we make our products, we make sure we take care of aspects like the touch and feel, the delight factor one can find inside the products that make the aesthetic and functional design superior as compared to what is available,” says Sharma. So, if you are looking for travel accessories that are functional and stylish, check out Mokobara – coming soon to a store near you.

Zouk

Zouk has great travel accessories that are handcrafted, 100% Vegan, and cruelty-free. Disha Singh, Founder- Zouk says, “these are not just accessories; they are your stylish companions on the road to exploration. Zouk is all about bringing to you products that aren’t just stylish, but ensure maximum functionality. We understand the needs of travellers – the need for versatility, durability, and organization. Our products are meticulously designed to meet these needs while maintaining the highest standards of quality.”

Read the full story that first appeared in Hash#ag Magazine’s Dec 2023 issue here:

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