The Story Behind the Large Crossbody

When I first started Studio In Progress, it took a long time to decide what our first product would be. I didn’t want to rush into releasing something just for the sake of it. It had to be a piece I was truly proud of, crafted beautifully and with care.

After countless prototypes, the Large Crossbody Bag became the product that finally convinced me we were ready. It came about quite suddenly, once I decided to try something new. I’d been working on perfecting a different bag for almost a year, more of a sling design with a zip closure, but I couldn’t get it to a point I was happy with. So, I decided to leave the zip behind and experiment with poppers instead. Once I found the reclaimed tent fabric that would become the base for the first edition of twenty bags, everything came together quite quickly.

This bag was created as a companion for everyday adventures, the one you can rely on from the city to the coast. Whether you’re commuting, running errands, or exploring new places, the Large Crossbody is designed to adapt to your day. The waxed versions offer a sleeker look and light shower resistance, while the untreated canvas bags have a softer, lived-in texture that shows the marks and character of their previous life.

Next, it was time to spend a ridiculous amount of time figuring out the little details that really say Studio In Progress. The logo is screen printed directly onto the canvas in different positions, inspired by vintage stamps, and each bag features a front patch label cut from the tent’s original branding as a nod to the material’s past life. Inside, a handwritten label records the date the bag was completed, who made it, and its edition number.

True to Studio In Progress’ values, durability is non-negotiable. Every Large Crossbody features double-stitched seams for extra strength and a wide adjustable strap for comfort. The exterior key loops and internal pocket keep your essentials close at hand, while the simple silhouette makes it versatile enough to pair with anything. It’s the perfect balance between function and design. Large enough to fit a laptop, but not bulky. It sits neatly against the body when lightly packed, thanks to its pleated sides, yet expands to hold everything you might need for a day out.

But beyond design, this bag represents a mindset: that the things we carry should last. I believe in making pieces that age well, not just in how they look, but in how they serve you over time. That’s why, if your bag ever rips or begins to wear through, you can send it back to us and we’ll repair it for free. Because we want our bags to stay with you for years.

The Large Crossbody Bag is our first product and the one that defined what Studio In Progress is. Handmade in Brighton, crafted with care, and built for a lifetime of use, it embodies what we set out to create from the start.