If You Love the Row, You’ll Be Obsessed With This Little Known Bag Brand

(Image credit: Courtesy of Esha Soni)

I am a vintage bag collector. Dior-era Galliano, 90s Miu Miu and Prada, and honestly any vintage Chanel are my vices. It’s something I truly never get tired of sourcing, even though I am quickly running out of room in my apartment to store all of my bags. It doesn’t even need to be practical to capture my heart. I’ve impulse bought many bags so small they can’t simultaneously carry my phone and wallet. Maybe this is a problem but it’s one I’m not willing to tackle or admit I have.

The only thing that’s perhaps positive about this addiction is that I am technically saving money. Most vintage bags retail for thousands less than they did during their heyday! For this reason, I don’t ever feel inclined to shop new bag or bag brands. That is…until I came across Esha Soni.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Esha Soni)

(Image credit: Courtesy of Esha Soni)

Esha Soni is a new bag brand founded by Esha Soni, a designer born in Mumbai, India who moved to New York to study design at F.I.T. Soni went on to work for Michael Kors, Rlaph Lauren, Mansur Gavriel and Proenza Schouler before deciding to launch her very own brand in 2022. Just last year, two years after launching, Soni was awarded the US Fashion Trust Accessories Award by Isabel Marant.

I became familiar with Soni’s work at a press preview for her latest collection, held in a West Village townhouse earlier this summer. For the most part the bags were placed on pedestals which felt right given how sculptural they are. The Orb, one of Esha Soni’s signature bags has a circular base with a curved body and rounded top flap. The hand-carved brass object on it’s front serves as a closure but also feels like a mesmerizing piece of art you can get lost staring at. I love to wear my bags but rarely love to stare at them on my countertops or tables at home. They need to be put away. But the Orb is different, it is the kind of bag I could star at for hours and never get tired of. Actually, I had mentioned to Soni that the bags feel like they could easily double as home decor. She laughed and agreed.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Esha Soni)

The Arc is another one of Esha Soni’s signatures, a saddle french bag with a dramatic curved top edge. Soni tried it on for me, in a gorgeous black leather, and I couldn’t help but swoon. The bag looked so perfect under her arm it was almost as if it was drawn on. Soni pointed out that the bags were made to look good when worn—of course—but also when opened. She pulled the bag open for me to expose the gorgeous baby blue suede lining before explaining that these color combinations were carefully thought out and had to feel just right. The interior of the bags are just as special as the exterior.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Esha Soni)

Below, I caught up with the designer to discuss the difference between a good bag and a great bag, how she decided to start her own brand, and who she envisions her customer as.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Esha Soni)

How did you decide to start Esha Soni?

“I’ve always envisioned creating my own brand, guided by a distinct point of view and a desire to share my voice. After nearly two decades in the U.S. fashion industry—working with American power houses such as Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, and Proenza Schouler—I felt ready. With Esha Soni, my focus is on slowing down, creating with intention, and allowing each piece to live and breathe, encouraging a more mindful approach to consumption.”

(Image credit: Courtesy of Esha Soni)

What are your biggest design inspirations?

“I’m continually inspired by organic, sculptural, biomorphic forms and the emotional power of color. Sculpture, ceramics, and vintage jewelry play a significant role in my creative process, alongside the works of artists such as Jules Olitski, Victor Pasmore, Valentine Schlegel, and Brancusi. Ultimately, my design journey always returns to the dialogue between form and shape, color and material.”

How would you describe the Esha Soni customer?

“The Esha Soni customer is discerning and intentional—someone who values design that feels both timeless and sculptural. She gravitates toward pieces with a strong point of view, but without excess; she appreciates subtlety, craftsmanship, and longevity over trends. More than anything, she seeks objects that reflect her individuality and align with a thoughtful, considered way of living.”