It all
started when Ken Kobrick, an ex-welder, and Angela Greene, an
inventor who doesn't even carry a handbag, decided to dive
headfirst into the incredibly competitive world of the accessories
market.
The idea was born when, in 1999, Angela purchased a backpack made
from inner tubes. Inspired to create their own collection, they
decided to take on the creative challenge of using discarded
tractor tire inner tubes and converting them into high-end, luxury
accessories. Deciding to make a "green" impact on the accessories
market was logical, because Kobrick and Greene
 are
both committed to recycling, and they were passionate about
creating products that were functional as well as unique and
classic in design. Neither had any formal design background, but
soon the couple was experimenting with hand sewn designs.
"We
started making the bags in our 900-sq.-ft house, and had to throw
away our old couch to make room for the industrial sewing machines
that we purchased with our 401K,” explains Kobrick about the
brand’s modest beginnings. “The only room that didn't have inner
tubes or a sewing machine was the bathroom."
Passchal incorporates leather trim and sides to their rubber bags,
keeping them lightweight and enabling the introduction of new
colors and textures. In keeping with their eco-friendly beliefs,
all leathers used are by-products, vegetable dyed and chrome free,
and all bags are handcrafted using the highest quality hardware
and materials available. The inner tubes are collected in VA, Ohio
and GA, and undergo a rigorous but environmentally friendly,
multi-day cleaning process. To date, Passchal has recycled
approximately 20 tons of inner tubes!
The
line launched in May of 2004, and through word of mouth, instantly
caught the attention of both media and celebrities.
Passchal bags
have been featured on The Today Show, and in Entrepreneur and
Rolling Stone magazines, to name a few. They have also been
featured at the Billboard Music Awards and at Olympus Fashion
Week.
In early
2008, Angie and Ken rented the property next door, and converted
the 1500-sq-ft house into a design studio. All of the inner
tubes are still stored and processed on their property. But –
for the record – they got a new couch.
Passchal uses vegetable
tanned and chrome-free leather.
|
