On Sunday, December 8th, we took part in the Klimaty – Trójmiejskie Targi Twórców (Tri-City Creators’ Market) at Stary Maneż in Gdańsk. Among nearly 100 exhibitors, we – Plant Inside – were there with our bags, cases, lunch bags, and plenty of stories to share. And what a beautiful day it was!
Our booth – upstairs, but right in the heart of it
Our stand was located on the mezzanine level, but we had plenty of space and a great view of the bustling crowd below. The lighting was a bit dim, but thankfully the exhibitors were incredibly helpful – special thanks to the lovely lady from Mizo_Jewellery for lending us an extra lamp! The atmosphere was warm, friendly, and full of good energy – this is exactly why we love local markets.
New models and the surprise: Wait, that’s… corn?
We introduced three brand-new designs:
- a brown shopper made from corn-based leather,
- a black shopper made from grape-based leather,
- a long “dachshund-style” black bag, also made from corn leather.
These pieces had just left our workshop and weren’t officially for sale yet – but they drew a lot of attention, especially from the ladies.
Among the men, our plant-based laptop bags were the clear favorite – stylish, classic, and functional.
One visitor, Mr. Janusz, couldn’t believe his new bag had its roots… in cornfields. That conversation was just one of many we’ll remember.
Plant-based leather? Really?
The reactions were priceless – people were genuinely curious and amazed:
“Which part of the corn is used to make this?”
“Wait… it’s not real leather?”
“It looks so high-end. I’d never guess it’s plant-based!”
Our well-used sample bags, which we’ve personally carried for 3–4 years, made a big impression too. They still look great – living proof that durability and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Meaningful encounters
The conversations we had were open, authentic, and often inspiring. We gathered valuable feedback – about colors, formats, and usability.
We also made new connections, including a lovely team from Korzenie – Kosmetyki Naturalne – natural cosmetics creators who, just like us, care about what they make and how they make it. It’s always a joy to meet kindred spirits.
Gratitude & motivation
We handed out plenty of flyers and business cards, and many visitors looked us up on Instagram. These moments mean the world to us. There’s still a long way to go to make plant-based bags mainstream – but every genuine interaction brings us closer to that goal.
And one more thing…
A few days after the event, we received a phone call from a guest – Ms. Joanna, who had fallen in love with our brown Viridis® shopper. She asked if it was possible to buy it now, even though it wasn’t yet officially on sale. Of course we said yes!
Her joy was contagious – and now that bag has a new home. For us, this was a heartwarming moment and a sign that we’re on the right path. We’re now moving forward with the first small production batch of this model – and we can’t wait to share more soon.
Thank you!
Big thanks to Mirka and Anna – the organizers of Zimowe Klimaty, to everyone who visited, to our fellow exhibitors, and to all the wonderful conversations we had. We’re heading back home full of ideas and inspiration – and with the certainty that this work truly matters.
You can always catch more behind-the-scenes content, updates and photos on Instagram:
Your Plant Inside Team