Collab': our bags drawn by an illustrator from Réunion Island

The Collab' collection brings together three Tropical Factory bags designed with Léa, an illustrator based on Réunion Island: Case créole, Paille-en-queue and Letchi. Her illustrations, inspired by the island’s wildlife, plants and landscapes, appear on bags made from recycled plastic bottles.

Here is the story of this collaboration and what it brings to the range.

Who is the illustrator behind the collection?

On the site’s Collab' page, Léa is introduced as a passionate illustrator based on Réunion Island. Her work draws on the island’s richness: its wildlife, its plants and its landscapes. Her pieces are colourful and invite you to escape and dream. Each illustration is meant as a celebration of nature and Réunion culture, shaped by encounters and shared moments.

On some of the bags in the collection, you can read 'LALA illustration' next to the Tropical Factory logo. That is what you see in this post’s photo.

Why work with a local illustrator?

Tropical Factory was built on one idea: turning waste into objects that tell a story, the story of Réunion Island. Working with an illustrator who lives on the island takes that idea further:

• an insider’s view of the island’s symbols, far from postcard clichés;
• a recognisable style that turns each bag into a small work of art you can carry;
• support for local creativity, by showing an island artist’s work through an everyday object.

The three bags in the collection

The shop’s Collab' range brings together three designs.

Case créole

Case créole celebrates traditional Réunion architecture, with its colourful fronts and carved details. The illustration shows a house with a yellow front, a red roof and blue openings, surrounded by greenery. The design comes as an XL classic (€29), XL insulated (€42), S classic (€20) and classic pouch (€14).

Paille-en-queue

Paille-en-queue features the white cliff bird, one of the island’s symbols. It comes as an XL classic (€29), XL insulated (€42), S classic (€20) and insulated lunch bag M (€27). We wrote a whole post about it: the Paille-en-queue bag.

Letchi

Letchi captures the sweetness and intensity of the island’s iconic fruit, in pinks and reds. It comes as an XL classic (€29), S classic (€20) and classic pouch (€14).

The prices above are those shown in the shop at the time of writing.

One collection, three symbols of Réunion Island

Together, these three designs tell the island’s story through three different doors:

| Design | What it tells |

|---|---|

| Case créole | Built heritage and Creole culture |

| Paille-en-queue | Wildlife and the cliffs |

| Letchi | Fruit, orchards and the end-of-year holidays |

That is what makes it a good collection to give, or to collect: a Case créole tote for the market, a Paille-en-queue lunch bag for the office, a Letchi pouch for your everyday bag.

Behind the scenes of a collaboration

A collaboration starts with two worlds meeting. On one side, a brand that gives plastic bottles a second life and looks for strong designs linked to the island. On the other, an illustrator whose work celebrates Réunion’s nature and culture.

The result is bags where the illustration is not just decoration: it is the heart of the object. To discover the most architectural design in the collection, read our post on the Case créole bag.

Where to find the Collab' collection

• Online, in the shop’s Collab' range, with Colissimo delivery to Réunion Island and Europe.
• At the Saint-Paul street market, at the Tropical Factory stall, on Fridays from 8 am to 2 pm and Saturdays from 8 am to noon.
• At our stockists, depending on their current selection.

FAQ

Which bags are part of the Collab' collection?

Three designs: Case créole, Paille-en-queue and Letchi.

Are the Collab' bags also made from recycled bottles?

Yes, like every Tropical Factory bag, they are made from recycled plastic bottles.

Are more collaborations planned?

To keep up with the brand’s news, the easiest way is to follow @tropicalfactory974 on Instagram.