Our Story

We Are MANDRN

Meet Kelly Kong, Founder of MANDRN. In 2018, Kelly made the decision to pack her bags, leave her hometown of Vancouver, B.C. behind and head to Bali to pursue a life inspired by freedom. Once in Bali, Kelly realized it was nearly impossible to find a functional yet timeless travel bag that was also made slow to last a lifetime. Empowered by her new community and ever-changing surroundings, she created her first MANDRN prototype, now known as The Remy Bag. From here the dream of hands-free, easy breezy living really started and continues to inspire all parts of the business.

Inspire Your Adventure

MANDRN encourages an easy-living mindset with timeless creations designed for everyone, everywhere, every day. We hope our community is inspired to live a life where they are free to be themselves, and to follow their hearts down whatever path they choose to take.

Family Traditions

MANDRN has a special story, named after the Chinese mandarins familiar to Kelly's upbringing. During the holidays it was always a tradition to look for mandarin oranges inside her Christmas stockings and get excited for their sweet smell and delicious taste. MANDRN represents the beautiful simplicity, lightness and happiness that this sweet citrus memory brings.

MANDRN x Stella’s Child

For over three years, we’ve partnered with Stella’s Child, a non-profit refuge and education center in Bali empowering underprivileged youth with life skills, entrepreneurship and employment training. With your support, we've helped keep their doors open by covering rent, sponsoring events, donating bags and offering founder-led mentorship workshops. This year, we’re taking that support further by sponsoring three girls to attend their year-long program, covering all living and program costs. Together, we’re working to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future – with every purchase getting us one step closer.

OUR APPROACH

We started making the products we wanted to see in the world and did this with an uncompromising approach to people first and slowly made practices that could last a lifetime.

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AT OUR CORE

FAIRLY MADE

Wear your bag with pride knowing it supports a small, family-run business with fair compensation and working conditions.

QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP

Using only the highest quality Javanese & Mexican leather, each bag is handmade by local artisans who have mastered their craft over generations.

TIMELESS DESIGNS

We believe in conscious fashion. Classic staples designed to last will always be in style, and are what we strive for with each MANDRN creation.

Travel lightly. Move freely. Live intentionally.