Noteworthy Minnesota women who served in the military are at the center of a new limited-edition line of bags created by Faribault Woolen Mill Co. in collaboration with R. Riveter, a handbag company founded by military spouses that gained fame after winning an investment on Shark Tank.
Collaborating on a line inspired by the military must have been a no-brainer for Faribault Mill, which up until recently was primarily known for making blankets for the U.S. military since the 1890s. The brand continues that tradition today with faithful reproductions of its military styles that are as trendy as they are durable.
Each bag from Faribault’s collaboration with R. Riveter is hand-cut and -stitched by military spouses across the U.S. using Faribault wool. The nine-piece collection includes four striped totes, two crossbody bags, and three zippered pouches, inspired by noteworthy Minnesota military women. The Anne Green Pouch is named for Anne Bosanko Green, who served in the Women’s Army Corp during WWII and whose letters home from the war were published by the Minnesota Historical Society in her book, One Woman’s War. The Holbrook Tote Bag is inspired by the Holbrook sisters, who served together in the U.S. Air Force for 16 years. Elizabeth Strohfus, a female WWI pilot from Faribault who received two congressional gold medals, inspired the Betty Wall Tote. And the Micky Crossbody Bag was named for Mildred “Micky” Axton, a Minnesota-born WWII test pilot and the first woman to fly a B-29.
Stylish handbags made from Faribault wool by U.S. military spouses in honor of trailblazing Minnesota women? Sounds like a winning strategy.
Shop the Faribault Woolen Mill Co. x R. Riveter collection at faribaultmill.com.
View the collection:
Faribault Woolen Mill Co. x R. Riveter’s Holbrook Tote
Faribault Woolen Mill Co. x R. Riveter’s Micky Crossbody Bag
Faribault Woolen Mill Co. x R. Riveter’s Bettywall Tote
Faribault Woolen Mill Co. x R. Riveter’s Holbrook Tote
Faribault Woolen Mill Co. x R. Riveter’s Anne Green Pouch
Faribault Woolen Mill Co. x R. Riveter’s Anne Green Pouch
Faribault Woolen Mill Co. x R. Riveter’s Micky Crossbody Bag