An Afternoon With Sebastian Kruit, Co-Founder Of QWSTION Bags

My first introduction to these modern looking backpacks with an equally intriguing brand name, QWSTION was exactly a year ago in 2015 at an event introducing the bags. This time around, I had the opportunity to meet the person behind the brand, Sebastian Kruit, Co-Founder Of QWSTION Bags for an exclusive interview session where we picked his brains on all matters pertaining to the whole range of his product. 

An Afternoon With Sebastian Kruit, Co-Founder Of QWSTION Bags

A brief history and introduction to the brand is in order. The QWSTION story started in 2008, when Sebastian Kruit joined forces with the creative dynamics of Swiss industrial designers Christian Kaegi and Fabrice Aeberhard, graphic designer Matthias Graf and Hannes Schoenegger. The brainchild of these five remarkable people, the idea came from the search for a bag that closes the gap between functional sports bags and elegant fashion bags. 

Some of the beautiful yet functional bags from QWSTION

A Swiss design, developed in their HQ in Zurich, QWSTION is not just a fashion brand, it is a brand for products. It is the vision of the founders that their products are to be durable and practical companions for QWSTION's customers. The styling cues are timeless in design, while continuous efforts are being put in to evolve with the the collection. 

Sebastian Kruit, showcasing a QWSTION backpack

Let's move on the interview shall we. I did not record down the interview session in audio form, but instead took the traditional method of writing it down. Hence, the answers may not be verbatim, but the gist of it should be accurate enough. 

What is the Brand and Essence of it?

The brand is Swiss, where we merge design with modern functionality. Natural materials are used. Cotton fabric are being used on the majority of the products, while steel and leather are some of the other materials being used to produce the bags. 

I don't see it as a fashion brand. Instead the idea is to make the life of a traveler easier; to solve each travel problem. Functionality is key, during the day you can pack your items into it, and there are different carrying ways, and style. The keyword is multiple carrying option. 

Sebastian demonstrating how the straps can be easily moved from one part of the bag to the other changing its functionality and look

What are the design cues?

Design-wise, QWSTION uses simple lines, for a youthful look. The bags' main objectives are to make people's life easier. Minimalism is an integral part of Swiss design. We don't over design our products.

Is the bag safe for gadgets?

Inside there are protective sleeves, padding and elastics to safeguard your precious gadgets.

What are the materials used, and where are they sourced from?

Leather is from India, vegetable tanned. Minimal chemicals are used in the process to ensure they are as natural as they come. Organic cotton material is sourced from Turkey for best quality standards. Weaving is done in a German company, which should last a very, very long time. In fact our bags are water resistant. 

(Sebastian Kruit proceeded to do a simple splash test using water from a cup) 

Ample padding inside QWSTION bags

Proving to us his bags are water resistant, where the water beads virtually roll off the surface (depending on the material used)

How long will the colours of QWSTION Bags last?

Excessive sunlight may affect the colours, as it may bleach out. But some folks like that 'used' bleached look. There is a 2 year guarantee on defects for every QWSTION bag. I'm confident each product we sell should last a very long time. 

How do you understand customer needs and integrate into future products?

We listen to customers feedback, and if it is viable and good for our product we will implement it. We don't do everything the customer asks though, as there are so many different types of customers out there. Our shop in Zurich has a design office at the back, where customers can actually direct feedback to the designers. 

Sebastian showing off his QWSTION 3-Day Travel Bag

Why the name QWSTION?

We question the norm, and this question has been phonetically written in capitals QWSTION.

Can you help to elaborate the process of from design to producing a new QWSTION bag?

• We first identify the needs. Does it answer the problems?
• Then we draw it up, make a prototype
• After that we test it. 
• Next step, a prototype is send to factory 
• Get it with original material done up. 
• Make 5 of them with changes. 
• The final prototype is produced
• A normal process from start takes about one and a half year, where a lot of details and thought is put into producing it. 

Got to love these. So simple, yet beautiful.

I just had to snap a picture of me with a QWSTION bag

Overall it was a very fruitful interview and personal discussion with Sebastian Kruit, Co-Founder Of QWSTION Bags. From an outsider's point of view, I do appreciate the design of the bags, simple yet beautiful to look at. Every bag serves its purpose perfectly, be it for travelling light, or heavy, to commute, or even to carry it while strolling through the shopping mall. 

QWSTION bags are available at below stores;

Mo.men.tum (Gateway KLIA2  #L2-73b)
46 by Project Gibraltar (USJ 9/5P Subang Jaya #G46-1) 
Acquire (Bangsar Village 2 #2F-23&25)


For more information do head on over to their website at www.QWSTION.com. 

SaveSave