Boston - June 22, 2005

Garbage Bag

Freitag Bags at Uniform

You: an individual with a soft spot for no-one-has-it-but-me accessories.

Them: two brothers with a knack for sewing and an appreciation of European roadside rubbish.

That’s right: highway debris. Zurich-based Markus and Daniel Freitag travel around Switzerland’s freeways scavenging used truck tarps, seatbelts, and bicycle tires. Then they scrub, slice, and stitch their finds into industrial-strength, one-of-a-kind, unisex messenger bags, totes, backpacks, and wallets.

Functionality and ecofriendliness not enough for you? Freitag also appeals to your enduring love of American pop TV with Lassie and Dragnet messenger bags, Brenda and Dylan wallets, and Miami Vice shopping totes that are cuter than Crockett and Tubbs ever were.

Until recently, you had to hit the road yourself to get your hands on one of these sacks. But with the opening of South End style haven Uniform, the only store in New England to carry Freitag, instant gratification is yours.

So do your part. Pick up a bag and help keep Europe’s streets clean.

Uniform, 511 Tremont Street, between Berkeley and Clarendon Streets, South End (617-247-2360 or uniformboston.com).