You can find them in all the colours of the rainbow, but not in a Rotterdam version in the colours green and white. That is about to change! The New Shopping Bag in ‘Wena & Rotte’ will be presented by SUSAN BIJL and Rotterdam Tourist Information on Friday 17 May, at 17:30 at Rotterdam Tourist Information Coolsingel.
A tribute to Rotterdam
For SUSAN BIJL, this special edition is a tribute to Rotterdam and Rotterdammers. You come across SUSAN BIJL’s bags all over the world, from Copenhagen and Los Angeles to Tokyo. Here in Rotterdam, you see them on every street corner. Many Rotterdam locals are proud of this recognisable product with Rotterdam roots, and that is being celebrated with a Rotterdam edition. Susan: “Customers are enthusiastic when they tell us about the bags that they give to friends outside of Rotterdam. It’s lovely to hear all those anecdotes in our store. We don’t see ourselves as just a local brand and focus on the world, but it is something we can’t ignore. I attended the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, and my friends and family used the first bags that I made myself. They were the brand’s first ‘ambassadors’. This bag is a tribute to the many ambassadors in Rotterdam who promote our brand with such enthusiasm.”
Special edition
The white colour ‘Rotte’ refers to the river Rotte. The green colour ‘Wena’ refers to the Hof van Wena, which was approximately located on the site of the former Hofplein Station. Everyone who buys a Rotterdam version of The New Shopping Bag will also receive a poem from city poet Dean Bowen. The poem is part of a special packaging containing photographic portraits of a variety of Rotterdammers and their story about Rotterdam and SUSAN BIJL. Rotterdam Tourist Information and SUSAN BIJL join forces for this special edition. Renske Satijn from Rotterdam Tourist Information: “SUSAN BIJL represents the typical Rotterdam mentality: international, entrepreneurial, raw and pioneering. Her DNA fits perfectly with Rotterdam Make It Happen. It is an ideal collaboration.”
Rotterdam Tourist Information
SUSAN BIJL worked with Rotterdam Tourist Information for the realisation of The New Shopping Bag in Rotterdam colours. Rotterdam Tourist Information is part of Rotterdam Partners, the city’s marketing organisation. In recent years, the demand from visitors for a Rotterdam souvenir or gift has increased sharply and the range of Rotterdam products has also increased. A bag in green-white-green was still on the wish list. Rotterdam Tourist Information sells gifts and souvenirs to tourists and locals from their locations at Coolsingel, Rotterdam Central and Hoek van Holland. ‘Wena & Rotte’ from SUSAN BIJL ♥ ROTTERDAM can be purchased exclusively from Rotterdam Tourist Information and the SUSAN BIJL flagship store.
Come join us at the official launch party, May 17th at Rotterdam Tourist Information Coolsingel in Rotterdam!
Photography by Jan Bijl