About TFY

OUR STORY

How did TOTESFORYOUU begin? Let's go back to the start...

TFY began in April 2020, during the first UK lockdown. Having just finished my A-Levels and working part-time in a supermarket, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do next. With just £25, I bought a few supplies and started hand-embroidering designs onto tote bags. I shared the process on TikTok and was amazed by the response. The support gave me the confidence to keep going. By June 2020, I had launched the TFY website and was running the business from my bedroom. I eventually left my supermarket job, invested in an embroidery machine, moved into a small studio and began developing a wider range of products. Five years later, TFY has grown into everything I once dreamed it could be. Every product is still designed by me from home, while friends and family help with packing and fulfilling orders. Although we've grown, the heart of TFY remains the same: thoughtful, original products designed with care from the initial idea through to the finished packaging.

OUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

Every TFY product starts with a real need. When I first began designing bags, I wanted to solve the problems I experienced with impractical totes. Since 2023, we've focused on combining functionality with style, creating bags that genuinely make everyday life easier. From key leashes and laptop sleeves to bottle pockets and organised interiors, every detail is considered. Our collections are inspired by real life — work, travel, parenthood and everything in between.

THE BRAND

TOTESFORYOUU is an independent brand creating multifunctional totes designed to fit into every part of your day. Our bags are made to move with you — from work and errands to coffee runs and weekend adventures. We believe functionality and fashion should work together. As a small independent brand, individuality, quality and creativity are at the heart of everything we do.

THE FACTORY

At the end of 2023, we found our current manufacturing partner in Guangdong, one of the world's leading manufacturing regions for bags and leather goods. Our factory is a smaller team of around 30 employees, allowing us to work closely together throughout the design and production process. We chose this manufacturer because they genuinely care about the products they make and about helping TFY grow. In return, we care deeply about the people who bring our designs to life. Our partnership began with the development of our Corduroy Tote Bag, and we were immediately impressed by the craftsmanship and attention to detail. Our manufacturing partner also holds internationally recognised certifications covering social compliance and responsible production, including BSCI and GRS certification.

FROM SKETCH TO SAMPLE

Our collaboration continued in 2024 with the creation of the Liberty Bag. What started as an idea and a simple sketch with measurements on a kitchen table became a finished product through the expertise of our factory's technician, who has more than 20 years of experience in the bag industry. Every bag begins with a paper or grid template before moving into sampling. Multiple rounds of samples allow us to refine the stitching, seams, structure and functionality before anything enters production. Our manufacturer has been operating for more than 15 years, with many members of the team having worked there for over a decade. Family members often work together too, creating a genuine sense of community within the factory. During our 2025 visit, we were able to watch one of our new designs being produced. Seeing the precision and care involved reminded us how much craftsmanship goes into every TFY product. Quality control is incredibly important to us. Every bag is thoroughly checked before being packed and sent to our customers.

VISITING GUANGDONG

In 2025, we travelled to Guangdong to meet our manufacturing partners in person and see our designs being made. Although we'd previously watched countless videos of the manufacturing process, nothing compared to seeing a design that began at home become a physical product right in front of us. A new TFY design can take around three to six months to move from initial concept through to production. Visiting in person allowed us to review samples, make changes immediately and work much more closely with the team. We also explored the fabric markets, discovering new materials, colours, textures and prints for future collections. After a full day of designing and sourcing, our manufacturers treated us to a traditional Chinese dinner, giving us the opportunity to spend time with their families and get to know them outside of work. We plan to continue visiting our manufacturing partners each year so we can strengthen our relationship and keep developing new designs together.

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER, MAISIE CROMPTON

Thank you for being part of the TFY journey. Every order supports a small, female-founded business with a huge dream: to create functional and beautiful bags that become part of your everyday life. I also want to give a special thank you to my family and friends. Although TFY has always been led by me, I couldn't have done it without their constant support — from helping dispatch hundreds of orders to modelling bags during launches. We're so glad you're here, and we hope TFY becomes part of your story just as you've become part of ours.

If there's anything else you'd like to know, please get in touch. I always love hearing from you.