We’re thrilled to share the story behind a very special project: our first-ever direct-to-consumer accessories collaboration with a brand partner! In collaboration with Bell Living Lab, we’ve launched a collection of everyday essentials — including a lanyard, card wallet, passport cover, laptop sleeves, and luggage tag — thoughtfully designed to accompany you through work, travel, and life.

This collaboration was born out of a deep alignment in brand values and missions. Both SukkhaCitta and Bell Living Lab share a commitment to sustainability, community empowerment, and purpose-driven innovation, making this partnership a natural fit. Read on to learn more.

 

The Journey Behind the Collaboration

It all began when SukkhaCitta became interested in Bell Living Lab’s M-Tex coffee leather — an innovative material made from upcycled coffee waste. Our team led the design process, creating modern, minimalist designs that were then developed and sampled together with Bell Living Lab’s production team.

The materials used include Bell Living Lab’s M-Tex Brown vegan leather and SukkhaCitta’s signature handwoven fabric, Ikatan. However, merging these two unique materials wasn't without its challenges.

Challenges we faced:

• The natural irregularity of the coffee leather’s thickness and texture made it difficult to create larger merchandise pieces, such as laptop sleeves.
  
• We had to ensure that every design remained functional, sustainable, and aesthetically beautiful — which involved several rounds of adjustments, especially for hardware elements that interacted with both the woven fabric and the coffee leather.

How we solved them:

• To address the need for structural support, our team provided regenerative cotton (kapas) padding, maintaining both the softness and protection needed for tech accessories like laptop sleeves.
  
• Our design team worked closely with Bell Living Lab’s production team to fine-tune the construction, ensuring that each product not only looked good but functioned seamlessly in real life.

 

Left: SukkhaCitta’s Ikatan fabric. Right: Bell Living Lab’s M-Tex Brown fabric.

 

What Makes These Products Special

Every piece in this collaboration reflects the best of both worlds:

• Made from our signature handwoven Ikat fabric, naturally dyed with 100% plants.
  
• Structured with Bell’s M-Tex coffee leather, derived from upcycled coffee waste.
  
• Designed with protective padding, smart compartments, and hidden card slots for modern functionality.
  
• Built to last, with a clean, minimalist silhouette that moves effortlessly with you through work and life.
  
  

The full development process — from initial design to final production — took around five to six months, highlighting our shared dedication to craftsmanship and sustainability.

 

Left: SukkhaCitta’s Ikatan fabric process. Right: Bell Living Lab’s dried coffee waste.

 

Aligned by Purpose and Values

Our collaboration with Bell Living Lab is more than just about products — it’s about creating impact:

• Circular economy: Bell Living Lab transforms agricultural waste into high-quality materials, while we work with a regenerative approach from farm to closet. 
• Empowering rural communities: Bell Living Lab partners with coffee farmers to generate additional income streams. Meanwhile, we work directly with women farmers and artisans through skills training and fair wages in order to empower their livelihoods.
• Purpose-driven innovation: Bell Living Lab pioneers new biomaterials that prioritize aesthetics and sustainability. We innovate fashion with indigenous wisdom, slow production, and regenerative systems.

At the heart of this project is a belief that collaboration — not competition — drives real change. Together with Bell Living Lab, we aim to show that a circular, sustainable future is not only possible but beautiful. By working alongside our communities and staying true to our missions, we hope to inspire others to rethink how products are made and valued.

Discover the full catalog here. 

If you’re a brand that shares these values and is interested in co-creating meaningful solutions with us, we’d love to hear from you! Or if you’re interested in purchasing these items for your organizations’ needs, drop us a message! 

Start the conversation by emailing us at collaborations@sukkhacitta.com.