Dragon Diffusion: a centuries-old history of wandering craftsmanship
A few weeks ago we told about Korean brands that, among other things, are distinguished by their insularity and separation from the rest of the fashion world. Today's hero is the brand Dragon Diffusion — not from Korea, but he also did not enter the public space for a very long time. Craig Wright founded his own brand of leather accessories in 1985 — and until last year, the brand had neither a website nor an Instagram profile. At the same time, it cannot be called unknown, as Dragon Diffusion products have been represented by fashion giants Matches Fashion and Net-a-Porter for several years now. What is the secret to the success of these bags? Let's find out below.
Craig Wright turned his attention to the traditional basket weaving of the indigenous peoples of the Asian islands: there, baskets are usually made from plant fibers and used for harvesting or other everyday needs. Moreover, woven baskets are used in everyday life in almost every country in the world: from tribal bags on the islands of the Pacific Ocean and New Zealand to stunning Japanese bamboo baskets and traditional wicker paniers in France and Great Britain. "Why not create such baskets from leather?" Craig Wright pondered and infused all this "basket" experience into his craft leather production.
Despite the fact that the brand's office is located in Brussels, all production is concentrated in India. The artisans of Dragon Diffusion not only have a special weaving technique but also a unique method of dyeing leather with natural plant dyes. Thus, each bag is completely handmade by the craftsmen — creating one unit can take up to four days!
Thanks to the high-quality buffalo leather and the tight weaving, Dragon Diffusion bags are almost eternal — as Vogue writes, this is a ‘forever and for always tote’.
Over time, they become covered with a natural patina, which gives the bag a crafted look and emphasizes once again that it was made by hand.
When it comes to style, Dragon Diffusion bags clearly refer us to the aesthetics of the noughties — but not to the one that is currently bringing low-rise jeans and ultra-short tops back to the runways and our wardrobes, but rather to the style of boho girls — the glamorous fashionistas of Manhattan and all those who wanted to be them. The word "boho" comes from the adjective "bohemian," although in general, the boho-chic style is more akin to a reinterpretation of the hippie style, mixed with the maximalism of the loud noughties.
In the case of Dragon Diffusion, the spirit of freedom takes shape without changing its essence: these bags successfully balance between boho elegance and chic sophistication.
The capacity and the bonus in the form of the Saint Christopher sign — the patron saint of all travelers — tell us that the owner of the Dragon Diffusion bag can embark on the journey of her dreams at any moment she wishes. Moreover, any outing from home is a small journey: in time, space, and, of course, in the soul. By choosing a Dragon Diffusion bag, you are choosing a centuries-old history of traveling craftsmanship and freedom, which has found its place in the wardrobes of various generations around the world. Embrace it in 2021.
