Savoir Faire
05/08/25
Cabas Tote Stories
THE CABAS TOTE, FROM HAND TO HAND
An everyday heirloom, the Vanessa Bruno Cabas Tote passes effortlessly from generation to generation. Born from the desire of a young mother to combine elegance with a busy life, this iconic bag has, for over twenty years, embodied a certain vision of women on the move: free, active, multifaceted.
Made in France and instantly recognizable, the Cabas Tote has become more than a bag: it’s a companion, a witness, and sometimes even a bond. Whether passed from mother to daughter, lent for a milestone moment, or simply shared in memory, it tells both an intimate and collective story.
In this Journal, women open the doors to their daily lives—and their Cabas Totes. Through their gestures, words, and rituals, they trace the outline of an object that has become essential. An icon that slips seamlessly into life, and stays there with grace and ease.
Discover the Cabas Totes
Made in France and instantly recognizable, the Cabas Tote has become more than a bag: it’s a companion, a witness, and sometimes even a bond. Whether passed from mother to daughter, lent for a milestone moment, or simply shared in memory, it tells both an intimate and collective story.
In this Journal, women open the doors to their daily lives—and their Cabas Totes. Through their gestures, words, and rituals, they trace the outline of an object that has become essential. An icon that slips seamlessly into life, and stays there with grace and ease.
MICHAËLA THOMSEN
What you hope to teach your child:
Kindness, gentleness, and most of all, the freedom to be different—to be free, sensitive, and dreamy.
A day in the life of your Cabas Tote—what’s inside?
In the morning: a lipstick without its cap and a notebook. A forgotten hair clip, tangled earbuds, a receipt, a stray pacifier, and a Thomsen lip balm. Keys always at the bottom, under a never-opened novel. My Cabas Tote is a blend of order and curated chaos.
If your Cabas Tote could talk, what would it say about you?
That I’m always on the move, a bit messy, but I always have a perfume with me. Like a Cabas Tote, I’m good at keeping your secrets, your keys, and sometimes, your little troubles.
A gesture, passed from woman to woman, that still carries you today:
A hand on the shoulder, when things feel a little too heavy.
The Cabas Tote to you—armour or cocoon?
Both, of course! My Cabas Tote is a second home, in a way.
How do you like your Cabas Tote? Weathered with time and cherished like a talisman, or always pristine?
Strangely enough, even though I’m not the most careful person, I like my Cabas Tote to be immaculate—at least on the outside.
Kindness, gentleness, and most of all, the freedom to be different—to be free, sensitive, and dreamy.
A day in the life of your Cabas Tote—what’s inside?
In the morning: a lipstick without its cap and a notebook. A forgotten hair clip, tangled earbuds, a receipt, a stray pacifier, and a Thomsen lip balm. Keys always at the bottom, under a never-opened novel. My Cabas Tote is a blend of order and curated chaos.
If your Cabas Tote could talk, what would it say about you?
That I’m always on the move, a bit messy, but I always have a perfume with me. Like a Cabas Tote, I’m good at keeping your secrets, your keys, and sometimes, your little troubles.
A gesture, passed from woman to woman, that still carries you today:
A hand on the shoulder, when things feel a little too heavy.
The Cabas Tote to you—armour or cocoon?
Both, of course! My Cabas Tote is a second home, in a way.
How do you like your Cabas Tote? Weathered with time and cherished like a talisman, or always pristine?
Strangely enough, even though I’m not the most careful person, I like my Cabas Tote to be immaculate—at least on the outside.
DOLORÈS DOLL
The most valuable lesson passed down by your mother:
Never give up.
Your very first memory with the Cabas Tote:
In the school courtyard, with my Cabas Tote on my arm.
What your mother carried in her bag that always fascinated you:
Her leather planner.
Who would you pass the tradition of the first Cabas Tote to, and for what moment?
My daughter, for her first day of middle school.
A day in the life of your Cabas Tote—what’s inside?
Wallet, metro card, blush, nail stickers, and snacks for the kids.
How do you like your Cabas Tote? Weathered with time and cherished like a talisman, or always pristine?
Both. Weathered for the large Cabas Tote, and always pristine for the small evening Cabas Tote!
Never give up.
Your very first memory with the Cabas Tote:
In the school courtyard, with my Cabas Tote on my arm.
What your mother carried in her bag that always fascinated you:
Her leather planner.
Who would you pass the tradition of the first Cabas Tote to, and for what moment?
My daughter, for her first day of middle school.
A day in the life of your Cabas Tote—what’s inside?
Wallet, metro card, blush, nail stickers, and snacks for the kids.
How do you like your Cabas Tote? Weathered with time and cherished like a talisman, or always pristine?
Both. Weathered for the large Cabas Tote, and always pristine for the small evening Cabas Tote!
ELISABETH BENTO
The most precious lesson your mother passed on to you:
“Never lose your elegance, even in difficult times.” A gentle strength that still carries me today.
What you hope to instill in your child:
That she dares to live by her own dreams, and knows that freedom is a treasure worth protecting.
Your very first memory with the Cabas Tote:
When I arrived at the editorial office of a major fashion magazine in the 2000s, I quickly realized this bag was a timeless must-have. It was everywhere—in magazine pages and on the arms of editors.
Who would you pass the tradition of the first Cabas Tote to, and for what moment?
I’ve already begun: I gave one to Tamara for her first year of high school—a brand-new Cabas Tote to replace the beloved but worn-out Cabas Tote a friend had given her.
What do 24 hours in the life of your Cabas Tote look like?
In the morning, it holds a few quick groceries from the organic market. In the afternoon, it rides in my bike basket filled with pouches for every purpose. Early evening, it transforms into a gym bag. And come nightfall, it sulks on the coat rack, replaced by a mini bag.
What gesture, passed down from woman to woman, still lives on in you?
Picking out fresh flowers for the house after a trip to the market.
The Cabas Tote for you—your armour or your cocoon?
My cocoon—it carries my world, and my secrets.
How do you like your Cabas Tote?
Pristine, just like the first day. I’m not a fan of wear and tear, I take great care of my Cabas Tote.
“Never lose your elegance, even in difficult times.” A gentle strength that still carries me today.
What you hope to instill in your child:
That she dares to live by her own dreams, and knows that freedom is a treasure worth protecting.
Your very first memory with the Cabas Tote:
When I arrived at the editorial office of a major fashion magazine in the 2000s, I quickly realized this bag was a timeless must-have. It was everywhere—in magazine pages and on the arms of editors.
Who would you pass the tradition of the first Cabas Tote to, and for what moment?
I’ve already begun: I gave one to Tamara for her first year of high school—a brand-new Cabas Tote to replace the beloved but worn-out Cabas Tote a friend had given her.
What do 24 hours in the life of your Cabas Tote look like?
In the morning, it holds a few quick groceries from the organic market. In the afternoon, it rides in my bike basket filled with pouches for every purpose. Early evening, it transforms into a gym bag. And come nightfall, it sulks on the coat rack, replaced by a mini bag.
What gesture, passed down from woman to woman, still lives on in you?
Picking out fresh flowers for the house after a trip to the market.
The Cabas Tote for you—your armour or your cocoon?
My cocoon—it carries my world, and my secrets.
How do you like your Cabas Tote?
Pristine, just like the first day. I’m not a fan of wear and tear, I take great care of my Cabas Tote.
TAMARA MORY
The most valuable lesson your mother taught you:
Less is more.
What you hope to pass on to your child:
A healthy routine. Enjoying life’s little pleasures through simple things.
Your very first memory with the Cabas Tote:
Back in middle school, I started noticing everyone had one. One day, a friend gave me hers—it was beige and a little worn, but I loved it.
What gesture, passed down from woman to woman, still guides you today?
Taking good care of myself and those around me.
The Cabas Tote for you—your armour or your cocoon?
Definitely my cocoon—a portable haven where I stash everything I need for a comfortable day.
Less is more.
What you hope to pass on to your child:
A healthy routine. Enjoying life’s little pleasures through simple things.
Your very first memory with the Cabas Tote:
Back in middle school, I started noticing everyone had one. One day, a friend gave me hers—it was beige and a little worn, but I loved it.
What gesture, passed down from woman to woman, still guides you today?
Taking good care of myself and those around me.
The Cabas Tote for you—your armour or your cocoon?
Definitely my cocoon—a portable haven where I stash everything I need for a comfortable day.
NAMI ISACKSON
A word, a gesture, a quiet strength you carry with you:
A smile.
Your very first memory with the Cabas Tote:
In middle school, where every girl had to have the bag to belong. Coming from a modest family, it was a real expense—but Christmas was the moment when wishes came true.
What your mother carried in her bag that always fascinated you:
A burgundy lipstick I always wanted to steal, and her big, overflowing wallet full of papers—I still don’t know why she kept all of them, honestly!
Who would you pass the tradition of the first Cabas Tote to, and for what moment?
To my daughter. Transmission matters—it tells a story, holds a memory.
A gesture, passed from woman to woman, that still carries you today:
Lipstick or balm—there’s something sacred about taking care of or adorning your lips.
How do you like your Cabas Tote? Weathered with time and cherished like a talisman, or always pristine?
Weathered. It’s travelled, it’s endured, and that makes it stronger.
A smile.
Your very first memory with the Cabas Tote:
In middle school, where every girl had to have the bag to belong. Coming from a modest family, it was a real expense—but Christmas was the moment when wishes came true.
What your mother carried in her bag that always fascinated you:
A burgundy lipstick I always wanted to steal, and her big, overflowing wallet full of papers—I still don’t know why she kept all of them, honestly!
Who would you pass the tradition of the first Cabas Tote to, and for what moment?
To my daughter. Transmission matters—it tells a story, holds a memory.
A gesture, passed from woman to woman, that still carries you today:
Lipstick or balm—there’s something sacred about taking care of or adorning your lips.
How do you like your Cabas Tote? Weathered with time and cherished like a talisman, or always pristine?
Weathered. It’s travelled, it’s endured, and that makes it stronger.
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