ULTIMEIK release its first collection January 2020. Underneath that is a whole lot of history, innovation, and aspirations.
Let’s go on that journey and see where it takes us.
From the Origins of Backpack Engineering
The story starts with John Peters New York – or rather, it starts with John Peters, New Yorker.
JPNY wasn’t a brand back then. It was just John Peters, a born and bred New Yorker with a passion for backpacks and a dream to make backpacks best for his city.
When Peters was working in the 1980s, backpacks weren’t as ubiquitous and standardized as they are now. In fact, Peters was one of the small group of people who helped develop the modern backpack. Although it seems perfectly obvious now, he was the first to put in plastic zippers!
The first stage of Peters’ career was the hugely popular Manhattan Portage brand, but he eventually left the brand to work on his own designs, some of the original designs and ideas he’d been working on at the beginning. That was the birth of JPNY.
JPNY found its own success, setting the standard for urban backpacks and messenger bags. But recently, Peters recognized the need to innovate again. Never one to rest on his laurels, he’s a true creative soul.
That’s where ULTIMEIK was born.
Into the Future: Taking Heritage Forward
ULTIMEIK is a collaboration between an all new brand and JPNY. The main designs and inspirations come from John Peters’ original sketches and models. These were developed at the very beginning of the backpack revolution, for indeed you can call it that! Forty years ago the backpack was nothing, and now every student more or less has one.
There is a certain original quality to these designs. Their heritage really does shine through with a character all its own. But where ULTIMEIK comes in is to place these backpacks in the modern context. They realized that there is something special about these forty year old designs of John Peters, and yet for the new decade they need a little something extra.
Part of it is in materials, using only the best and most durable materials that are available on the market today. It’s also in the interiors, adding laptop pockets and other conveniences we need for today. Some aspects of the design have been revamped for a more sleek look as well.
So yes, ULTIMEIK is a concept, and a dream. It’s heritage and it’s the future. It’s the newest creation and collaboration from a man who helped revolutionize the bag and backpack industry.
ULTIMEIK releases January 2020. Don’t miss it.
