“Bags Are Cars for Girls,” According to Auto
Meet the cheeky New York-based brand to know now.
It’s a universal truth: tote bags are just modern torture devices disguised as convenience. Enter Auto, the New York-based bag brand here to save us from our own poor packing choices.
Founded by Sandy Liang and Loeffler Randall alum Sarah Brown alongside artist Connor Marie Stankard, Auto started (as all the best ideas do) over drinks and out of necessity. “Connor had just been to LA, throwing everything into her mom’s car instead of using a purse, and was like, why can’t we find a bag that functions like a car? Luxurious, spacious, travels well… blah blah blah,” the founders explain. “And Sarah was like, let’s make our own.” So they did.
Handmade in NYC from fine Italian leather, Auto’s two styles—Model C and Model S—are designed to be no-nonsense, but completely irreverent at the same time. Model C “fits a bottle of wine nicely” (a priority), while Model S, with its streamlined silhouette and handy laptop compartment, might just be the chicest work bag on the market. “It won’t fit a bowling ball,” they admit, “but it will fit what you need.” If you’re quick, Model S in “Gasoline” and “Oil” are back in stock this week.
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Their tagline is “bags are cars for girls,” and their motto: “Auto bags carry you.” Both cheeky, both dead serious. “Like a car carries you,” they clarify. “The bags are designed to move you through life so seamlessly, they almost disappear. You know that feeling when you’ve driven somewhere but don’t remember the drive? That.”
Their campaigns match their bag energy. The brand launched with a corporate rebel spitting her drink at Michael’s New York and taking a meeting barefoot. Their latest shoot—documented in the gallery above—takes a more voyeuristic approach. Inspired by Sophie Calle’s Suite Vénitienne, the founders filmed each other from afar as they lived out their perfect New York day. Think: ferry rides, beers at Jeremy’s Ale House, JG Melon burgers, and feeding the birds. “It was the first warm day of March. We just wanted to have fun.”
As for what’s next for the brand, the playful founders said: “Our first bags were practical, reliable. like a car.” Their next step? “More indulgent… also like a car.” Watch this space.
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