What Is Carry Om? Facts About the Local Bag Brand the Internet Is Talking About

If you are someone who is chronically online, then you have probably chanced upon the video of Carry Om founders, Viktoria Salazar and Dhanvan Saulo, calling out SM for allegedly copying their bag designs.

With 5.5 million views and counting, the almost 10-minute long video begins with the couple sharing messages they received from customers, who brought the alleged copying to their attention. Viktoria and Dhanvan then juxtaposed their designs with SM's to support their claim.

The video ends with an invitation from the couple to the conglomerate—"Our inbox is open. Our email is open for discussion on how you guys are going to stop this. This is our challenge to you."

The brand is proudly Filipino.

All of Carry Om's products are designed and made in the Philippines. Championing sustainability, the brand believes that every story deserves a second chance. Hence, their bags are made with handpicked, upcycled fabric.

It is a family-owned brand.

In the aforementioned video, Dhanvan shared that the brand started when his wife Viktoria was undergoing chemotherapy. He also revealed that their kids also help out with the design process. Furthermore, the brand's story reflects a family bag business in the 1970s, which was started by his father.

They are currently available in seven cities.

If you want to see their bags up close and feel the materials with your hands, Carry Om currently has physical stores in multiple locations across seven cities—Alabang, Antipolo, Makati, Manila, Parañaque, Quezon City, and Taguig.

They offer a 10-year warranty.

All of Carry Om's bags come with a 10-year warranty, which covers manufacturing defects involving stitching, zippers, straps, and structural integrity issues. Each bag has a special tag that indicates its manufacturing date, which serves as a guide for the warranty claim.

MALA

A great introductory bag to the brand is the MALA, which happens to be their lightest tote bag yet. It comes in medium (P2950) and large (P3450), which can accommodate up to 12kg, and are available in a wide variety of colorways.

KALA

A versatile pick is the KALA handbag (P3450) that can be styled with the brand's interchangeable straps. Also available in so many colorways, this bag carries up to 8kg in weight and can fit more than what meets the eye.

MALINI

Making a utilitarian statement is the MALINI (P13,950), which is the perfect option for those who love to keep their things really organized. It is also a two-faced bag—the good kind, of course—that has an adjustable padded strap for extra comfort.

You can browse and shop Carry Om's products here.