How BAG TO LIFE came to be: The story behind our upcycled bags made from life vests

How a life vest turned into an idea that lives on to this day

Sometimes it all starts with a very inconspicuous moment. No business plan, no grand master plan, but an idea that takes hold and doesn't let go.

In 2009, Kerstin Rank was on a plane to London. As often happens, the flight attendants were giving the safety briefing. A routine that most people barely notice. But this time it was different.

Her gaze lingered on one detail: the life vest.

A bright yellow, a trendy color at the time. An item intended for emergencies, yet rarely used.

And suddenly Kerstin asked herself a simple but crucial question:
What actually happens to a life vest when it's no longer on the plane?

An idea that wouldn't let go

At this point, Kerstin was a young mother, a trained advertising executive, and always someone who didn't just throw things away. For her, sustainability was not a trend, but an attitude.

The thought from the plane wouldn't let her go.
A material made to save lives, then simply discarded?

At the same time, an idea formed:
What if you could create something new from precisely this material?

The beginning: A single life vest

The vision for BAG TO LIFE was born, but its implementation presented Kerstin with a whole new challenge. Life vests are not freely available materials. They are subject to strict safety regulations, and airlines must meticulously document when they are used and how they are disposed of. From the moment they leave an aircraft, they must never again be put into circulation as safety equipment.

For Kerstin, this primarily meant one thing: patience. She contacted various airlines, made inquiries, explained her idea, and repeatedly encountered hurdles. After many attempts, she finally managed to get her first life vest - from Lufthansa. A single piece of material that laid the foundation for everything that was to follow.

From the kitchen table to the first upcycled bag

With this one life vest, Kerstin began to turn her idea into reality. At home, at her own sewing machine, she experimented with the material she had only known from the airplane until then. She had learned to sew from her aunt. Now, this knowledge was put to use in a completely new way.

The challenge was great: She only had this one life vest. She could hardly afford to make mistakes. Every cut had to be precise, every seam well-considered. Step by step, the first prototype was created, and from that, the first BAG TO LIFE product ultimately developed.

The Classic Flyer Bag was born. A bag that was not only functional but also carried a story, and which, many years later, is still part of the collection, albeit in a refined form.

Discover the evolution of the first idea: Classic Flyer Bag

Why life vests are so special

What initially seems like an unusual choice of material turns out to be almost ideal upon closer inspection. Life vests are made of a highly developed composite material, a robust polyester mix, specially designed to withstand extreme conditions.

They are water-repellent, UV-resistant, tear-proof, and surprisingly light. These are properties that are intended to save lives in an emergency and are also perfectly suited for manufacturing durable bags.

This is precisely what makes them special: This high-tech material already possesses everything a high-quality product needs. And yet, it is usually disposed of after its useful life.

BAG TO LIFE steps in here and transforms discarded life vests into functional, sustainable companions for everyday life.

An idea against the status quo

When BAG TO LIFE was founded in 2010, sustainability was far from as prominent as it is today. Terms like upcycled bags or sustainable bags played hardly any role in public awareness.

For Kerstin, this meant not only developing a product but also communicating a new way of thinking. The idea of reusing seemingly discarded materials first had to be understood.

Of course, in those early days, there were also moments of doubt. Situations where things didn't go as planned or obstacles seemed bigger than expected. But one thing always remained constant: the belief in the idea and the conviction that this path was the right one.

The mission: A second life for materials

The lifecycle of a life vest is strictly regulated. It can remain on an aircraft for a maximum of ten years, but is regularly inspected and often replaced sooner. In most cases, it has never been used; it simply lay under the seat, waiting for an emergency that, thankfully, rarely occurs.

After its decommissioning, this lifecycle normally ends abruptly. Despite being in perfect condition, the material is disposed of. A process that not only wastes resources but also generates CO₂.

This is precisely where BAG TO LIFE's mission comes in. Instead of destroying functional materials, they are reintroduced into a new cycle of use. The life vest gets a second life, as a bag, accessory, or design object.

Thus, a product that was never used becomes something that is used daily.

Why upcycling is more sustainable than many alternatives

Sustainability is a central theme in the fashion and design industry today. Many brands rely on materials like recycled plastic or organic cotton. These approaches are important, but they also have their limits.

Because even sustainable materials first need to be produced or processed. This means energy consumption, resource use, and thus CO₂ emissions.

Upcycling takes a different approach. No new material is created; instead, existing materials are reused. A product that was actually intended for disposal is transferred into a new context.

Especially in the field of sustainable bags and upcycled products, this approach is particularly consistent. BAG TO LIFE shows that design, functionality, and sustainability are not mutually exclusive, but can complement each other meaningfully.

From idea to European production

What once began as a single project has now become a structured process with clear, enduring values. Product development still takes place at the headquarters in Lichtenfels. Here, ideas are conceived, concepts are developed, and prototypes are manufactured.

Production takes place in family-run businesses in Europe, including Bosnia and the Czech Republic. An important aspect is that all work steps take place as much as possible in one location. This avoids unnecessary transportation and reduces CO₂ emissions.

This close collaboration not only ensures high quality but also transparent and responsible production.

More than just a bag

What began with a single life vest is now far more than a product idea. BAG TO LIFE stands for an attitude that runs through all areas of the brand.

For the conscious use of resources.
For design that tells stories.
And for the conviction that materials deserve a second chance.

Every bag tells a story

Every BAG TO LIFE bag has already lived a first life. It was part of a system designed to ensure safety and now becomes a companion in everyday life.

This is precisely what makes it special.
Not just the material, but the story it brings with it.

And perhaps the next big idea begins just like that:
With a moment others overlook.