Well-known for their superior craftsmanship, design, and practicality, premium bag and apparel brand ROKA London have announced an exciting collaboration with the globally renowned Natural History Museum.
The duo has joined forces to design the Waterhouse Field Backpack, named after Alfred Waterhouse, the visionary architect responsible for the iconic Natural History Museum. This collaboration introduces a modern and urban twist to the conventional ‘field backpack,’ commonly utilized by scientists during outdoor expeditions.
Widely recognised for using premium, weather resistant materials, this new highly anticipated ROKA London bag is made from recycled waterproof canvas to keep tools, equipment and possessions safe against the elements whilst out on the field or exploring day to day! The material itself is made from old plastic water bottles and materials unable to biodegrade, and with NHM’s commitment to achieving a more sustainable future combined with ROKA London’s ethos as a B-Corp business, the launch integrates the core values of both companies.
Speaking of the exciting collaboration, Peter Gough, Chief Operating Officer at ROKA London enthuses:
“It’s an honour to partner with such an iconic museum in London with this launch which raises awareness for environmental conservation and showcases our combined passion for sustainability.”
Emma Russell, Senior Licensing Manager at the Natural History Museum says:
“The Museum has long admired the ROKA London brand and their ability to seamlessly integrate fashion, sustainability, and practicality within their collections. We know first-hand how well designed and crafted their bags are and it has been a delight to work alongside the ROKA London team to create a new style that suits a wide variety of lifestyles, agendas and expeditions. We’re incredibly excited to launch the Waterhouse Field Backpack and we hope our audiences will love using these bags as much as we have developing them.”
The story of inception of ROKA London by founders Emma and Brett is a relatable one. With 20+ years of experience in fashion and retail, London newcomer Brett (originally from a country with year-round sunshine) ventured into Oxford Street in jeans and a t-shirt on a sunny day, with a trusty notebook in an old backpack to plan his next steps in the city. Of course, the typical British weather struck, and one downpour later, Brett and the contents of his backpack were left drenched. In that moment, ROKA London was born. It became a brand of functional, weather-resistant bags suitable for all types of weather and with compartments for all requirements – with the added bonus being sleek and stylishly designed to suit a multitude of occasions.
Other than the new Waterhouse Field Backpack, ROKA London also offers Crossbody and Tote Bags, accessories such as purses and knitwear, and a variety of other backpack styles including roll tops and of course, the original Bantry Backpack in numerous colourways and designs.
The Waterhouse Field Backpack (RRP £79.95) developed in collaboration between the Natural History Museum and ROKA London, is available in 5 colourways, and can be purchased right here.
