Product test

I’m in love with this Swiss-designed, Italian-crafted bag

31.1.2023

Translation: Katherine Martin

Until recently, I hadn’t heard of the Swiss brand 0714. I’ve since lost my heart to its Heidi bag, immediately going on to stick more designs on my wish list.

So, you’re in the market for a new bag. But where should you start looking? Honestly, I’ve no idea. In the best-case scenario, you just stumble across it by chance in the way I did. I was scrolling aimlessly through the endless expanses of our product range recently when,

suddenly, Fantino popped up in cornflower blue. I was smitten. Boom, open in a new tab. Ooh, and look, the handy calfskin flap bag is a Swiss design. Based in Frauenfeld, Thurgau, 0714 promises to be «more than normal». It’s a nod to the German expression «08/15» which, when applied to products, means they’re run-of-the-mill or bog standard. Not only that, but it pays tribute to founder and CEO Barbara Tschanen, whose birthday is on 14 July.

Sports bags

0714 Flap bag

The label has me in its grasp. Now with a desire for more «than normal», I click out of Fantino and make my way through some other designs on our shop. It’s not like I’m actually looking for anything, but I quickly find something I seem to need: Heidi. A shiny black dream with long handles that gets my 90s heart racing. I’m immediately transported back to that era, with Carolyn Bassette, Cindy Crawford and Jennifer Aniston sauntering by in my mind’s eye. Oh, the nineties. Oh, Heidi.

Heidi, your world ... is now my home.
Source: Laura Scholz

For scale: Heidi on my shoulder. — Heidi, your world ... is now my home.
Source: Laura Scholz

It’s not just the exterior with its glossy calfskin, comfortable straps and detachable label pendant that’s right. It’s what’s inside. In fact, across its 35 × 11 × 19 centimetres there are all sorts of zips and pockets to provide space and order for all my bits and bobs. Even a book could go in there. On other days, it’s a brolly – I’m sorted for any situation.

Feeling inspired as I was riding my wave of accessory-induced bliss, I browsed through more of 0714’s designs. All of which, by the way, are crafted in Italy. If you’re not quite as 90s crazy as I am, are looking for something more classic or need to carry a laptop around every now and again, I’d recommend these alternatives to Heidi.