So, you know those nylon PVC advertising banners that cities hang when an exhibition is in town? You know… these things:

You probably don’t think much of them - they add some pop to the city and serve as catalysts for your partner to say “oh we should see the Gustav Klimt exhibit” every time you drive by.

Barcelona is particularly well-known for these colorful banners given the city’s insane number of museums, festivals, and events. But then the exhibition moves on and the city (historically) would trash the banners. Usually burying them underground where they’d pollute the earth for thousands of years.

Founded in 1999, Demano saw inspiration in these discarded vibrant nylon materials and started turning them by hand into functional accessories - backpacks, bags, etc. The company also makes gear from used kiteboard kites, parachute, and tent materials - and you can donate your own old gear & get a bag in return.

As a result, each Demano piece has a rad local (or personal) story behind it. You can rep the Grec 2022 banner collection, as an example - check out this cool story/gear:

These bags are available for sale on their website, at their storefront in El Born, or at their portable kiosk that bounces around Barcelona.

We’re not saying the bags belong in a museum. But it came from a banner once hanging outside a museum. And people (like Dan) buy the gift shop exhibit ad posters and put them up in his downstairs bathroom so he seems more cultured to his houseguests.

And now an ad, reincarnated as a bag, still carries the aesthetic from the original artist. Representing its past life, including the ghosts of a pretentious gallery visitor’s side-eye.

So yeah, this might be a bag. Or it might be a philosophical statement. Or a portable gallery. Art imitates life. Bag imitates art. And now this metaphysical art can hold your Doritos and gym socks.

If nothing else, we think it’s cool to have a bag that represents something unique and isn’t a Patagonia bag with the logo of your former employer who gave it as free swag during the 2019 holiday party. (Dan has three)

Demano makes sick gear that looks good - that we would (and did) buy anyway. And it represents so much more: artistic creativity, business creativity, sustainable focus, local community, and each piece has a story.

Nick lives in Barcelona, kitesurfs, and loves art. Yet the Demano bag he bought was black. He got it because it was functional and he liked the design. And he gets complimented all the time on it now. So yeah - great story and great design.

Check out their banner collection. It’s a great way to rep Barcelona. And since the locals also shop here, you won’t stand out like a zinc-oxide nosed tourist begging to get pocket-picked on Las Ramblas. Adios!

Swap your old gear (kitesurfing kite, parachute etc.) for a sick free bag. Demano will sell the rest. Email Demano ([email protected]) to coordinate.

Visit the Demano store on your next visit to BCN.

Check out Demano’s Instagram page