I am an Afro-Danish designer, born in Copenhagen to a Danish mother and an African father who met in 1960s London. I was raised in a vibrant, international family: a Norwegian mother, a Polish-German father, and a half-Jamaican sister. My parents were the "beatniks" of their time, artsy and fashionable. My father, Werner Pawl, was a painter, and my mother, Erna Berit, was a textile artist specializing in weaving and fabric dyeing.
In 2019, before she passed away on her 88th birthday, I inherited my mother’s vintage 1960s leather tote. That bag has always been a special for me. For years, I sought to recreate it, and it has finally come to life as the centerpiece of my brand, ONW. This modern tote carries a new legacy; it is the cornerstone of OwlNWood, representing simplicity, a homage to the 1960s and 70s, and the memories of my childhood in Denmark.
The Bergen Bag is the result of a two-year journey of iteration. Its DNA is woven from five distinct stages:
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My mother’s original 1960s tote.
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A vintage sample discovered years later in Copenhagen.
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A flea market find from California.
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My first prototype.
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The final Bergen Bag.
It was a long process, but it represents everything I love: vintage quality, my mother’s teachings, and a design for everyday life.This Limited Edition Bergen Bag is Made in California
