Creativity in action. Circularity in practice. Community at heart.

Colorful buildings with purple, blue, and white facades under a partly cloudy sky.
Colorful buildings with purple, blue, and white facades under a partly cloudy sky.

Surya — Le Sac Sportif et Élégant — is a circular design project I launched in Cabo Verde in 2024. Rooted in the principles of a circular economy, it transforms discarded kites, sails and donated textiles into unique, durable and versatile bags.

The first collection of 40 bags was produced and sold out in a few months, creating fair work opportunities for local tailors and encouraging an exchange of skills around designing, making and repairing.

Together with Cabo Verde Sustentável, Surya forms part of a wider ecosystem where creativity, circularity and practical action can support local skills, community collaboration and positive change.

The 2026 collection

A new series of one-of-a-kind Surya Le Sac Sportif et Élégant, shaped by the colours, textures, and materials available for our next chapter.

Close-up of a colorful fabric zippered bag with a purple interior, a sheet of paper with red text inside, and a background of a kitchen with various items. Additional images show a flat view of the bag with a grid design, a woman walking outdoors holding the bag, and a cobblestone street with a parked car.
A purple and white pouch placed on a white surface with a blurred outdoor background.
A aquamarine and purple half-moon Surya Le Sac bag hanging on a white wall, with a large brown tan hat with a black band hanging behind it.
A aquamarine and purple half-moon Surya Le Sac bag hanging on a white wall, with a large brown tan hat with a black band hanging behind it.
Close-up of teal-colored small backpack with a black zipper and yellow zipper pull, hanging from a hook or handle.
Close-up of teal-colored small backpack with a black zipper and yellow zipper pull, hanging from a hook or handle.

2024 — The First Collection

Close-up of Surya Le Sac half-moon bag with a yellow, black, and white geometric design, hanging from a person's shoulder.
Poster on sustainable and reusable tote bags called 'Surya - Le Sac'. Features images of people with the bags, a kite on the beach, and close-ups of the tote bag's design and materials.
Poster on sustainable and reusable tote bags called 'Surya - Le Sac'. Features images of people with the bags, a kite on the beach, and close-ups of the tote bag's design and materials.

The story began in 2022, when a friend found a few discarded kites, brought them to me and suggested I do something creative with them.  At the time, I was busy teaching English, researching and writing community projects - and rescuing dogs - so I simply packed them away and waited for the right moment.

A white plastic shopping bag with black, yellow, and gray accents hanging from a wall hook near a window, with an ocean and sky visible outside.

Two years later, I began cutting fabrics and creating patterns for laptop and iPad cases, followed by a half-moon-shaped bag inspired by the one I used to carry my little Surya when she was still a puppy.

Soon followed dog leashes and home accessories, including coasters, table mats and pillowcases. Little did I know that these first pieces would grow into a collection that became popular and sold out within a few months.

A collage of images showing a red and brown sport bag with black and white accents, placed on a beach and on a wooden surface, along with a collection of fabric swatches, a measuring tape, and a paper scrunchie.
Collection of colorful bags and pouches made from recycled materials, with some featuring geometric, abstract, and nautical designs, showcased on shelves, mannequins, and in outdoor settings.
Collection of colorful bags and pouches made from recycled materials, with some featuring geometric, abstract, and nautical designs, showcased on shelves, mannequins, and in outdoor settings.
Colorful drawstring bag hanging on a hook next to a wall with hanging seashells and a decorative heart-shaped sign.

Surya, first and foremost, is my Cabo Verdean dog, who has been by my side since I found her as a puppy on a beach in Sal in the summer of 2020.

Her name means “the Sun” in Sanskrit, and I truly could not have chosen a more suitable one. She has brought light, unconditional love, a great dose of daily laughter, and inspired my commitment to animal welfare on this island ever since.

The very first half-moon bag was designed so she could travel with me on my bicycle. Somehow, that small, practical and lightweight bag grew into something much bigger and naturally, Surya became the name of the project too.

Every project begins with a name

A small black and tan dog with closed eyes, lying down on a pink patterned blanket or fabric.

Le Sac Sportif et Élégant came afterwards. Choosing a French name reflected the close collaboration I established with the francophone tailors who helped me bring the first collection to life, as well as the balance I wanted to achieve between elegance and practicality.