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What is CÔTE&CIEL?
CÔTE&CIEL is a Parisian accessories brand founded in 2008 by the Paper Rain Group design team in the Le Marais district. The name translates to "coast and sky" – and it's not just a poetic image: the tension between two opposites, the horizon line where they meet, is a key metaphor throughout the brand's work.
The brand's mantra is short and precise: «Bags to wear, not to carry» – backpacks that are worn, not lugged around. Every côte&ciel product is a sculptural form designed as an extension of the body, not as a container attached to the back.
The brand's lead designer is Emilie Arnault, who worked at Delsey and Damir Doma before joining côte&ciel. Since 2008, she has been shaping the brand's unique design language – organic forms, ergonomics, minimalism without compromising between aesthetics and function.
How it all began: Apple, Damir Doma, and the first ISAR
The first côte&ciel products were sold in Apple stores worldwide – tech cases and accessories approved by one of the world's most demanding brands in terms of design. This is not a marketing myth: Apple collaborated with Paper Rain Group even before côte&ciel was established as an independent brand.
In parallel, the team developed backpacks in collaboration with Damir Doma – and thus came ISAR, the flagship model that remains a brand icon to this day. The ISAR concept is a backpack sewn from a single piece of fabric with a minimum of visible seams. No unnecessary stitching, no unnecessary steps. Pure geometry.
Comparison with popular brands: what's the fundamental difference
CÔTE&CIEL vs Herschel — "cool classic" vs "cool future"
Herschel is a lifestyle brand with Vancouver roots that masterfully combines vintage aesthetics with the mass market. Their backpacks are recognizable, functional, affordable ($60–130) – and that's why they're everywhere. That's why they've stopped being special.
côte&ciel exists in a different dimension. There are no striped linings or retro silhouettes here. There is an avant-garde sculpture that can be worn on the back. If Herschel is "cool and comfortable," then côte&ciel is "what is that and where can I get it."
CÔTE&CIEL vs Fjällräven — Scandinavian functionalism vs Parisian avant-garde
Fjällräven Kånken is an iconic Swedish backpack with a retro shape, G-1000 fabric, and the iconic fox logo. It's honest, durable, and eco-friendly. But it has remained unchanged since 1978 – and therein lies both its strength and its limitation.
côte&ciel updates materials and forms every season, but not for trends, but for intemporel – the concept of timelessness through continuous exploration. FW'24 brought new textures: Braided Black, Pleated Black, Jacquard Grey – each of which is a study, not just a new color.
Côte&Ciel vs Bellroy — "smart organization" vs "sculptural ergonomics"
Bellroy from Australia is the benchmark for thoughtful space organization inside a bag. Every pocket is in its place, materials are eco-friendly, price – $150–250. This is an excellent product for someone who loves order and clean design.
But Bellroy solves the question of "what to put where." côte&ciel solves the question of "what this object should be in space and on the body." The difference between a well-organized closet and an architectural project.
Materials: where Côte&Ciel is ahead of the market
côte&ciel was one of the first in the segment to use EcoYarn – recycled polyester from plastic bottles – even before "sustainability" became a mandatory word. Material lineup:
- EcoYarn — recycled synthetic fibers, water-repellent
- Inn Sleek Nylon — ultra-light nylon with a smooth texture
- Braided / Pleated fabrics — new for FW'24, add volume through texture, not through form
- Komatsu Beige — Japanese jacquard fabric, produced in Komatsu
Production – Vietnam, design and quality control – exclusively Paris. The studio in Le Marais is not moving.
Côte&Ciel in NEWBORN K — assortment with links
SAVA Backpack
A stylish backpack made of matte waterproof nylon with a spacious main compartment and a padded laptop pocket for up to 14″. Clean geometry, minimal visible seams – the brand's philosophy in its purest form.
SAVA Backpack at NEWBORN K →
YUKON Backpack
A multifunctional backpack with water-repellent fabric and a large front compartment. The most spacious option in the lineup – for those who need volume without sacrificing form.
YUKON Backpack at NEWBORN K →
NILE S Backpack
Architectural design inspired by the shape of a cocoon. Water-resistant, spacious, with the brand's characteristic sculptural form – one of the most recognizable models in dark gray SLATE.
NILE S Backpack at NEWBORN K →
ORNE Bag
A hybrid bag that can be worn in two ways. An evolution of the iconic ISAR form in a shoulder bag version. Available in classic black and CARGO khaki.
ORNE black / ORNE CARGO khaki
HYCO / HYKO S Bag
An ergonomic crossbody that adapts to the body's shape. Lightweight, water-resistant, with the brand's characteristic twisted silhouette. Available in light gray and CARGO khaki.
HYCO light gray / HYKO S CARGO khaki
Who is côte&ciel for at NEWBORN K
At NEWBORN K, we select brands that have their own point of view. côte&ciel is exactly such a case: it doesn't try to please everyone, doesn't play in the mass market, and doesn't copy trends.
If you wear Carhartt WIP and appreciate that there's thought behind the form, côte&ciel logically extends this line into the accessories category.
All côte&ciel collection at NEWBORN K →
Frequently Asked Questions about côte&ciel (FAQ)
Where was côte&ciel founded?
The brand was founded in 2008 in Paris, Le Marais district. The design studio is still located there. The corporate office is Berlin, but the slogan remains "Designed in Paris."
Is côte&ciel a luxury brand?
côte&ciel occupies a niche between premium and luxury. Prices range from $150 to $350+. It is not a mass market or haute couture, but an independent design brand with its own philosophy.
What is the most popular côte&ciel model?
ISAR is the brand's icon since 2009. At NEWBORN K, backpacks with similar DNA and philosophy are available: SAVA, YUKON, and the architectural NILE S.
Are côte&ciel backpacks suitable for laptops?
Yes. The SAVA (14″) and NILE S backpacks have a separate laptop compartment. The brand was created from the very beginning as a response to the need for technologically savvy accessories for the urban environment.
How does côte&ciel differ from Herschel?
Herschel is a mass-market lifestyle brand with vintage aesthetics ($60–130). côte&ciel is an avant-garde design brand with sculptural forms and its own philosophy ($150–350+). The former is everywhere, the latter is not for everyone, and that is its strength.
Is côte&ciel an eco-friendly brand?
Yes. The brand was one of the first in the segment to use EcoYarn. Sustainability is part of its manufacturing philosophy, not a marketing tool.
Summary
Côte&Ciel is not a backpack. It is an object that occupies a space between fashion, architecture, and industrial design. Against the backdrop of Herschel, Fjällräven, and Bellroy, it looks like the only one in the room who came not because it's customary, but because it has something to say.
At NEWBORN K, we select exactly such brands.
