Hi, I'm Veronica...I'm the designer behind Borboleta.

Growing up in a multicultural household, my traveling journey started quite early on. My dad’s from Boston and my mom’s from Bangkok, so I split my time between Thailand and the US. I learned to pack and unpack at an early age. I also loved creating things since a young age. Being creative is a part of my identity. So when I was old enough to sew, I asked my mom for a sewing machine. I started experimenting with clothes, and eventually bags. I loved making things to solve problems I have with traveling, for example, a store bought bag usually didn't have many pockets for all my (sometimes unnecessary) things! :) When I created my own, I could make things exactly the way I wanted. Sewing and painting were my creative outlet from the academic world.

After graduating from University of Maryland College Park, I spent the following seven years in the nonprofit and educational sectors in Washington, DC, and Bangkok. Throughout that time, I had the pleasure of traveling to 20+ countries, carrying bags I designed and created. Families, friends, and even strangers, told me they wanted my bags. I knew one day I wanted to be a designer. So after work, I took a part time program for 2 years to study fashion design at an Italian Fashion School in Bangkok. After graduating, I launched my brand Borboleta in 2012 with the modest savings from my previous jobs

It is my absolute pleasure to design and create handbags for women all around the world. Borboleta has connected me with many wonderful and like-minded people who inspire me daily. I love growing a team and growing Borboleta. To date, we have customers in more than 50 countries and counting. Our steady, sustainable growth means that we can continue to donate to students in need.

In 2016, I moved to Florence, Italy, to pursue a Master’s Degree in Fashion Brand Management from Polimoda International Institute of Fashion Design and marketing in Florence, Italy. After finishing my masters, I then moved back to Bangkok to run the company. We are small team of creatives and an in-house factory that allows our creativity to turn into actual bags. I do everything I can do make sure we provide a loving and productive company so our team and thrive and do their best. I believe that happy team members make happy customers. We are all about kind fashion and style that can last years. .Thank you for joining my journey. And thank you for supporting Borboleta. Cheers to many more years!

Veronica Race Founder, Borboleta Bag

  • Lightweight Sustainable Materials

    We use soft, buttery scientific leather - which is made of high quality microfiber. This material is very durable and lightweight. It is 30% lighter than genuine leather.This is why every Borboleta bag is so lightweight.  You can carry it all day without hurting your back or shoulder.

  • Functional Designs

    We design with the lifestyle of modern women in mind. That’s why every bag has at least 5 pockets (up to 10!) to keep things organized. There are also practical functions, for example, key holders and secret back pocket for a phone. The right bag can make our lives easier. That’s why we carefully design each collection to make sure that Borboleta bags will be a good everyday companion for modern busy women.

  • Ethical Production

    Every Borboleta bag is made in our own factory. By setting up our own factory, we can be sure that our artisans have good working environment with good salaries and benefits. Also, we can control the quality of production from start to finish.

    By supporting Borboleta bags, you are also supporting Thai artisans to continue with the jobs they love. Most of them have over 15 years experience in bag making. Many other factories would replace Thai artisans with cheap labors from overseas to cut costs. Thai artisans would then be forced to work odd jobs like driving taxi or becoming day laborers. When we started our factories, we ask them to come work with us.

    You can be sure that all Borboleta bags have the highest quality and that our makers enjoy a happy, comfortable workplace with good health benefits.

  • Giving Back

    We believe in using business as a driver for social change. This is why we donate a part of proceeds to fund breakfast and educational programs for underprivileged students in rural Thailand.To date, we have donated more than 400,000 meals (and counting), along with books, school supplies, art supplies, sports equipments, toys, and more, for more than 50 schools.

    As Borboleta grows, we wholeheartly committed to continue to expand the help to more students in need. Thank you for being a part of our journey.