A New Travel Bag from Matt Bruening and Sig Zane Designs

Complete the Look: 1. 1960s Omega Seamaster 300 vintage watch with Nato strap, $2,900, Honolulu Time Co., 1311 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite 101, 591-2611. 2. Taylor Stitch for Leather Soul button-down shirt, $130. 3. Drake’s London for Leather Soul knit tie, $170. 4. Trickers for Leather Soul Newbury derby brogues, $550, Leather Soul, 119 Merchant St. #100, 523-7700.

Since graduating from UH Manoa's fashion program in 2009, local designer Matt Bruening has held a permanent spot on our ones-to-watch list. Recently, he turned his focus to travel gear, teaming up with Big Island aloha wear label, Sig Zane Designs, on a limited-edition duffle. The impetus? “I was frustrated with finding the perfect travel bag—something lightweight yet spacious, and aesthetically minimal, but with little, cool details,” says Bruening.

Hip and modern, the (M)B Travel Bag features a camouflage canvas shell and durable, top-stitched nylon straps that zigzag across the front in a subtle M pattern. An exposed metal zipper adds edge while nylon tabs perched atop the side panels provide easy-access to keys.

Inside are two handy side pockets and a bold, contrasting lining made from Sig Zane Designs reclaimed remnant fabric (a single print or a mix, depending on availability). To Bruening, Zane’s patterns, representative of indigenous Hawaiian plants, are much more than just eye-catching graphics, they’re meant to inspire. He says, “Each piece is made so that its owner can share the stories and culture of its origin while jet setting from place to place.”

(M)B Travel Bag, $140, available by custom order via mb@mattbruening.com.

This article appears in the August 2013 issue of HONOLULU Magazine.