This Brand Reimagined The Classic Tote
How Pacific Tote Company Channels the California Lifestyle into Its Bags
Photo: Pacific Tote Company
When Roman Coppola and Duffy Culligan got on a boat from Santa Barbara to Catalina Island in 2011, they had no idea that they were about to create Pacific Tote Company. On the boat trip, Coppola and Culligan were completely captivated by the beauty of the California coast around them, and by the time they docked, the idea for a bag capturing the West Coast’s charm was born. What originally started as gifts for a few friends and family has since grown into an established brand that makes long-lasting, playful products.
Today, Pacific Tote Company continues to create with intention, as seen by its signature color blocking with bright hues that give the brand a nostalgic allure. Even with the immense popularity of these bags, Pacific Tote Company still manages to focus on individuality. These totes are not just your regular tote bag; they are, as co-founder Duffy Culligan puts it, “partners in crime,” meant to adventure with you.
We chatted to Culligan to discuss the brand— from its “carry a smile” philosophy that shows itself in its totes to how he plans to carry the brand’s “California living” spirit to every corner of the globe.
The Wake Edit: What inspired you to start Pacific Tote Company, and what did you want the brand to represent?
Duffy Culligan: The reason is simple. We love California. We didn’t start this to fill a gap in the market or to solve a complex logistical problem. We started it because we are deeply in love with the light here, the sense of freedom, and the effortless way life moves between the city and the sea. We wanted the brand to be a physical extension of that love, a colorful and durable carry-all for the California dream. It represents spontaneity and playfulness without sacrificing high-end utility. It is a “Carry a Smile” philosophy that serves as an antidote to the disposable and timid.
TWE: What does “a life well lived” mean to you, and how does that philosophy show up in your bags?
DC: To us, a life well lived is measured by the miles you’ve covered and the stories you’ve collected. It’s defined by freedom, individualism, and spontaneity. We see our totes as more than just bags; they are partners, companions, and co-conspirators in adventure. This philosophy shows up in the physical build of the bags. We use the finest #8 duck canvas and heavyweight handles with reinforced box-and-cross stitching because a partner in crime needs to be tough. It’s built to survive being tossed in the back of a convertible, dragged across the sand, or way overstuffed for a spontaneous weekend up the coast. It is a bag that looks better the more adventures it shares with you.
TWE: Your brand started as a one-of-one for friends. Do you still make special pieces for your loved ones? And what made you grow the brand?
DC: That “one-of-one” spirit remains our DNA. While we have scaled, we keep that intimacy alive through small-batch runs (often just 25 units) and limited-edition colorways. We are even leaning into restoring pre-used totes, celebrating the scars of a bag’s life. We chose to grow the brand simply because people really loved the totes, we couldn’t keep them in stock, and we really loved making them.
TWE: What sets a Pacific Tote apart from other tote bags?
DC: We have a lot of love for the traditional East Coast totes like L.L. Bean, but those bags are kind of coded. They are about heritage and fitting in. Our bags are about being yourself and standing out. Unlike a lot of flimsy, trendy canvas bags people are carrying these days, a Pacific Tote is sturdy and will last a lifetime. Our flagship Big Sur tote features 11 different canvas components, which allows for trillions of potential color combinations. Every bag is handmade in the USA with heavy-duty brass hardware and a signature color-blocked aesthetic that feels both nostalgic and firmly modern.
TWE: In an ideal world, where is Pacific Tote Company in 5, 10 years?
DC: We want to look further out; we aim to be an evergreen brand. We aren’t interested in being super trendy or fleeting. We want to be around in 50 or 100 years. But, in ten years, we will have expanded into anything you can put into a tote that still represents the California lifestyle. Whether it is apparel, beach accessories, or travel essentials, the goal is to remain a cultural institution—a brand that carries the spirit of California to every corner of the globe for generations to come.
