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INTERVIEW
Formed from a fleeting moment and built into the sustainable business model and brand it is today, Harper Collective redefines sustainable travel. The fashion faces behind this innovative approach to luggage are Sebastian Mane, alongside his co-founder, music sensation Jaden Smith. Turning trash into travel essentials, the pair have built a solid partnership, stemming from their shared passion for protecting the Earth's oceans. Their journey began at a fashion show, where a mutual love for bold ideas and boundary-pushing fashion solidified the concept of their eco-conscious luggage line, with a commitment to deliver sustainable processes from mindset to manufacturing. We sat down with Sebastian and Jaden to discuss the inception of their brand Harper Collective and their mission to redefine travel with style and purpose.
What inspired you and Jaden Smith to focus on recycled ocean plastics and post-consumer materials for Harper Collective’s luggage?
Sebastian Mane: Our shared passion for water was the driving force behind our decision to focus on sea plastics. Jaden founded Just Water 13 years ago, while I started studying the complexities of the ocean in 2009. This focus progressed when I worked on "Project Ocean" at Selfridges in 2011, which highlighted the dangers of plastic pollution and overfishing. We took concrete actions to reduce single-use plastics and stop selling anything sourced from the sea.
Harper Collective was born from both a dream and a frustration—I wanted to push boundaries and prove that what is often dismissed as worthless trash could be transformed into something beautiful and valuable. That is our vision! In 2018, I met Jaden at a Louis Vuitton show. We connected instantly over fashion and sustainability. I shared my vision with him, and while he wasn’t particularly interested in bags, he was drawn to the innovative concept. I still remember him saying, "I’m not into bags, but I love your thinking. Let’s do it, bro!"
In 2019, we started the research, and by January 2020, we had built the company’s structure and fully committed to this journey. It’s been incredibly challenging—the recycled plastics industry is intricate, and our path has been anything but easy. If we had fully understood how tough it would be, especially in making luggage from recycled materials, we might never have started. But like all independent entrepreneurs, the hardships and frequent tears in our eyes fuelled our determination. Despite the struggles, we persisted and finally launched Harper Collective on August 8th, 2023.
Harper Collective is known for its transparency in production. Can you walk us through the environmental impact of creating each suitcase?
Sebastian Mane: Transparency is a core value for us. We’re committed to shifting global manufacturing practices and are happy to share our knowledge with anyone—Including our competitors. Our manufacturing partners, The "Collective," are listed openly on our website, and we’ve never asked for exclusivity which is quite unique in fashion.
Our mission is to produce as sustainably as possible while ensuring that our products are built to last. We constantly collaborate with our partners and seek new innovations to improve. While we’re not perfect, we’re working hard to transform trash into something beautiful. Because this process remains quite niche in the luxury sector, our collective of partners is small, but we hope our success inspires more brands to adopt the same philosophy.
We also aim to centralise production to minimise the environmental impact of transporting materials. Luggage manufacturing is highly specialised, with different components being made in different factories. Currently, there’s some movement of goods within Europe due to our limited network. But if more brands embraced post-consumer materials—like the recycled fishing nets and trash we use—we could further reduce this movement.
The journey begins with the collection of fishing nets and post-consumer waste on the coasts of Italy. These materials are processed in Germany, where we create the sheets for our luggage shells. The shells are then thermo-formed in the UK. Assembly takes place in both the UK and Italy. Other components like handles, zips, corners, and wheels have been engineered by us and sourced from China, as they’re the best in engineering these parts.
Our consolidation process is intricate, as we need every part—including the double-wall recycled cardboard boxes (which are unprinted to save energy and simplify recycling)—to complete each suitcase. While it's complex, we're continually working to improve our process and make it as sustainable as possible.
What kind of traveller did you have in mind when designing the Harper Collective range?
Sebastian Mane: That’s a tough question for us. Ultimately, we designed something that we wanted for ourselves—something cool, unique, and unlike anything that’s been done before. So, I’d say our target is the early adopters, the trendsetters, and those who value innovation. At the same time, we cater to people who genuinely care about the future of our planet. Our products are for individuals who want to make a statement—not just in style, but also in their commitment to sustainability. When you push Harper Collective cases at the airport, you feel proud that you are a modern activist by choosing a product that make a difference.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to integrate sustainability into their businesses without compromising on style or quality?
Sebastian Mane: Our advice is simple: it has to happen. For us, it may have been a bit “easier” since Harper Collective was founded on the principle of recycling as much as possible—there was no room for compromise in our vision. The world doesn’t need another luggage brand, but Harper’s philosophy reflects what the future of manufacturing must become. We have no choice but to reduce our reliance on virgin materials and focus on repurposing what already exists, especially waste.
To those seeking advice, we can only share what we’ve learned over the years. Many times, we were told, “It’s impossible, use virgin materials!” At that point, it comes down to character—whether you accept those limitations or push back. We thrive by pushing boundaries and embracing new possibilities, even if the outcome is uncertain. Since sustainability in fashion is still in its infancy, you have to challenge the notion that “it can’t be done.”
What’s your favourite travel destination and why? Does your luggage get any special treatment when you're there?
Sebastian Mane: My favourite destination has to be going on safari in Kenya and South Africa. I love seeing animals in the wild, and being in such an unfamiliar environment really forces me to focus on the present—trying to spot wildlife and forgetting about all of life’s problems. There’s something incredibly beautiful about being surrounded by nature and wild animals; I just can't get enough of it.
For longer trips (anything over five days), I always travel with a Trunk. I love how little space it takes up when the case is opened in a hotel, and honestly, I just adore the way it looks. I also bring a Cabin or Cabin+ suitcase. I have to confess, though, I haven’t tested our Cabin+ yet, as it’s been constantly sold out. But I’m heading to Italy next week, and I’m excited to try it out in our new colour—Ocean blu.
What’s one travel hack you swear by that most people wouldn’t think of?
As for a travel hack, I’d say skiing. It’s such a beautiful sport. While I’m not the best at it, I love how much focus it demands. Similar to a safari, it requires you to stay present and completely immersed, which helps me forget any problems I might be dealing with—it’s great for my well-being. My favourite ski spot is Megève in France. The village has maintained something truly magical, and I highly recommend it.
Jaden Smith: Like Seb, I love skiing in the winter—Utah is my favourite destination. In the summer, Bahamas is my retreat.
All images are courtesy of Harper Collective.
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