Your friends return from vacation with treasures from souks. You: a “Go Buckeyes” tee from your native land.

One-up everyone with accessories from Akis.

When Defne Veral and Minima owner Eugenie Perret aren’t commissioning sandals and scarves from artisans in Turkey, they’re putting folks at a Philadelphia textile mill to work. Better known for winding rugs that look at home in Grandma’s kitchen, the third-generation producers tinker with leftover yarn to create designs that are more contemporary, less Cracker Barrel.

Totes strapped with sturdy leather handles can carry a few days’ worth of groceries, and richly hued braided baskets lend an air of exotic to any space.

Even if all they hold are old travel mags.

Available at Minima, 118 North Third Street (215-922-2002 or minima.us), $92-$208. To see styles, go to akisdesign.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Akis