SXSW sees Yak Pak's Backpacks and original DJ Record Bags on fashionistas

By April MacIntyre Mar 17, 2010, 22:43 GMT

Terracycled messenger bag by Yak Pak

SXSW is well underway in Austin and American accessory company Yak Pak is there representing their line of cruelty free and even recycled bags made from old billboards.

The New York company was the creator of the original DJ Record Bag, and the company has always been an enthusiastic supporter of those on the forefront of the music and been a presence at the music and film festival held in Austin, Texas.

courtesy of Yak Pak

The company was recently tipped by Teen Vogue for their retro styled and useful backpacks which are making a comeback, in the magazine's “Spring Fashion Top 10” March issue.

courtesy of Yak Pak

Yak Pak specializes in affordable (most are under $50) and unusual bags made for specific tasks and backpacks, always unique fabric in fashionable prints that transform schoolyard staples into a fashion statements.

Laptop bag, courtesy of Yak Pak

Even this March 17th, popular fabric patterns seen on festival attendees include collectible Green Shadow Plaid, Hedgehog and Green Secret Garden for their line of handbags, totes, messengers, backpacks and accessories.

Yak Pak was started out of an American college dorm room with the vision that there was an opportunity to bring fashion and innovation to the backpack category. They created the first micro and mini backpacks, DJ bags, origami bags, cross body shoulder bags, etc. Most recently, Yak Pak has pioneered the trend in bringing fashionable prints to the backpack market thus shifting the industry away from stodgy, solid colors.

Today, Yak Pak sponsors numerous music events and charity functions throughout the year and Yak Pak products are regularly featured in film, magazines, on television.

At South by Southwest, Yak Pak will be involved in four parties in Austin throughout the duration of the festival.

The company's hometown heroes Jelly NYC, Mad Decent and IHEARTCOMIX have teamed up to present a carnival extravaganza that will boggle the mind.  Over the course of three days in the heart of downtown, Carnivale Austin will be rich with music, play and plenty of surprises. 

Yak Pak will gift over 1,000 goodies to be used as game prizes, so readers attending the SXSW festival can walk away with a Yak Pak of their own! 

The company plans to be at the Village Voice Media party representing all of their publications.  The band members (The xx, Superchunk, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Surfer Blood) and attendees too will reap Yak Pak swag.

The company is offering a Yak Pak gift bag at the Big Picture Media Showcase while listening to Ahimsa Sunrise, The Colourist, Emii and Ionia.  If you attend the Rethink Pop Music Showcase - you can enter for a chance to win Yak Pak giveaways in between bands like Built by Snow, The Vanguard, The Yes Way or Ambassadors.

As soon they wrap-up in Austin, Yak Pak is heading cover to Miami for the Winter Music Conference.  Celebrating the 25th anniversary of WMC, all nominees of the International Dance Music Awards and conference panelists will receive a limited edition Yak Pak Laptop Shoulder Case to cart around their computing counterparts.

The company will be at the CMJ, the Juno Awards, VH1 Save the Music Foundation and SF Weekly’s Music Awards as well.

The full event listings for parties that we will be participating in throughout SXSW and WMC:

March 18-20, 2010

Carnivale Austin hosted by Jelly NYC, Mad Decent and IHEARTCOMIX

Austin, TX

March 18, 2010

Village Voice Media Party

La Zona Rosa

612 W. 4th Street

Austin, TX

March 19, 2010

Big Picture Media Showcase

The Bayou Lounge

500 E. 6th Street

Austin, TX

March 19, 2010

Rethink Pop Music Showcase

The Fado

214 W. 4th Street

Austin, TX

March 23-17, 2010

Winter Music Conference

Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach (@ Badge Pick-up)

4525 Collins Avenue

Miami Beach, FL