Why the Mustkies Sydney Tote Is Worth More Than Most Luxury Bags
From Dream to Design
Before I started Mustkies, I worked for Louis Vuitton, one of the most admired luxury brands in the world.
As a little girl growing up in France, it was always my dream to work there. To me, Louis Vuitton represented everything about French craftsmanship — beauty, precision, and timelessness. And when I finally joined the company, it felt like a dream come true.
I learned what true luxury meant: the artistry, the attention to detail, the heritage behind every stitch. But I also saw something that made me think differently about the future of luxury.
So many incredible women would buy these beautiful bags — and then quietly tell me they wished the bag actually worked for their lives.
I can still hear them:
“I wish it zipped all the way.”
“I wish it had more compartments.”
“I wish it had water-bottle space.”
“I wish I could travel with it.”
Those comments stayed with me. No one should spend thousands on a bag that makes life harder.
When COVID hit and I started my small business, Mustkies, I knew exactly what bag I wanted to create — one that brought together everything I loved about luxury with everything that was missing: function, purpose, and real-life design.
That’s how the Sydney Tote was born.
Luxury, Reimagined
For me, real luxury isn’t about a logo — it’s about how something fits into your life.
A bag should make things easier, not just prettier — especially when you travel.
When I started designing the Sydney, I wanted the kind of bag I could never find: one that looked sophisticated but could handle real life. It needed to move easily from a flight to a meeting, from the beach to a dinner out — and even double as a beautifully organized mommy bag or diaper bag when needed.
I spent months testing fabrics until I found an outdoor-grade waterproof canvas that resists rain, sun, and sand yet still feels refined. Even the stitching mattered — every Sydney is sewn with UV-protected thread, the same kind used in marine construction, so it won’t fade or fray over time.
Inside and out, everything has a purpose:
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8 interior pockets for organization
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2 water-bottle sleeves
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A recessed zipper “shelf” for structure and security
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A trolley sleeve with a hidden passport pocket
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And a detachable crossbody pouch so you have two bags in one
The Sydney Tote was made to move with you — from work to weekend, travel to motherhood — always elegant, always functional, and always ready for wherever life takes you.
When I designed the Sydney, I wanted to bridge that gap — the place between timeless style and everyday functionality.
Here’s how it compares to some of the most popular designer totes on the market today.
How the Sydney Tote Stands Apart
| Mustkies Sydney Tote | LV Neverfull GM | Parker Thatch Giant Tote | MZ Wallace Sutton | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $395 | $2,300 | $898 | $325 |
| Feature | Mustkies Sydney Tote | LV Neverfull GM | Parker Thatch Giant Tote | MZ Wallace Sutton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof exterior | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| UV-protected stitching | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Fade- & weather-resistant materials | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Full zipper closure | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Interior organization pockets (8) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water-bottle sleeves (2) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Exterior elongated pockets (2) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Detachable crossbody pouch (2 bags in one) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Luggage sleeve for travel | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hidden passport pocket | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Customizable fabrics & straps | ✓ | ✗ | Some | ✗ |
| Design award recognition | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
In Other Words…
While most designer totes focus on appearance, the Sydney Tote delivers luxury that works — at a great price.
It’s functional, durable, and built to make everyday life easier — all while looking refined enough to take anywhere.
The Sydney Difference
I didn’t create this bag to compete with luxury brands — I created it to fill the gap they left open.
Luxury brands perfected aesthetics.
I wanted to perfect usability — without ever sacrificing beauty.
The Sydney is made for women who do it all. You can take it to work, on a plane, to the beach, or out to dinner — and it looks right everywhere. It’s built to last for years, not seasons.
This bag has been recognized by the Accessories Council as a Finalist for Design Excellence in 2025, and Karen Giberson, their president, called it her “latest obsession.”
That recognition means a lot — but what matters most to me is hearing from women who say it’s the best bag they’ve ever owned.
Because when a bag makes your life easier and still makes you feel beautiful — that’s real luxury.
Luxury That Works for You
The Sydney Tote was designed for women who want more — more thought, more quality, more purpose.
It’s not about status.
It’s about feeling confident, capable, and organized wherever life takes you.
And that’s something no logo can buy.