A woman with an afro seen from behind, the Kora backpack on her back with its leather afro directly under her own

She speaks for you when your back is turned.

Six designs built from leather pieces, worn at your back. The people behind you will let you know.

4.8 · 1,000+ five-star reviews

Pick your design ↓

Six designs · 50% off, a free gift inside · ships from the USA

Pre-order offer

Build yours

Every appliqué design 50% off at pre-order price. Pick one, and we check what you qualify for.

Step 1

Pick your backpack

Hand-cut appliqué. 50% off while it is on pre-order.

We check every customer. Not everyone is approved.

How she’s made

Look close.

Nothing on these backpacks is printed on. Every design is pieces of leather, one laid over the next, each stitched around its own edge. That shadow under every edge is what a stranger’s eye catches first.

Close-up of the the afro appliqué: One dark-brown panel with a scalloped edge, laid over the tan. Her neck and hoops are the tan beneath it.
the afroOne dark-brown panel with a scalloped edge, laid over the tan. Her neck and hoops are the tan beneath it.
Close-up of the afro and cat-eye glasses appliqué: Disc, waves, her profile, afro, glasses, hoops, necklace, dots — every one its own piece with its own stitch line.
afro and cat-eye glassesDisc, waves, her profile, afro, glasses, hoops, necklace, dots — every one its own piece with its own stitch line.
Close-up of the the headwrap appliqué: The continent first, her profile on it, the wrap built on top from caramel and dark-brown wedges.
the headwrapThe continent first, her profile on it, the wrap built on top from caramel and dark-brown wedges.
Close-up of the locs appliqué: Her profile and locs, one dark piece on a two-tone disc. The sage branch beside her, leaf by leaf.
locsHer profile and locs, one dark piece on a two-tone disc. The sage branch beside her, leaf by leaf.
Close-up of the locs, looking at you appliqué: Waves on cream, her bust, her eyes and mouth, and the locs — each cut separately and edged in white thread.
locs, looking at youWaves on cream, her bust, her eyes and mouth, and the locs — each cut separately and edged in white thread.
Close-up of the the halo appliqué: Black on black: you read her profile by its stitch line and shadow. The gold halo is what you see first.
the haloBlack on black: you read her profile by its stitch line and shadow. The gold halo is what you see first.

Run your thumb across the front when she arrives. Every edge you feel is a piece.

Pick your design ↑
A woman with an afro seen from behind wearing the Rembo backpackA woman in a headwrap seen from behind wearing the Dunia backpack

Where it happened

Of all places.

4.8 · 1,000+ five-star reviews

The grocery line. Church.

“I’ve been standing in the grocery store line and I’ve been in Church and women compliment and ask if they can touch my bag.”

— Evangeline, verified Afroyla review

The post office.

“It definitely commands all the attention when you enter a room. I walked into the post office and immediately saw heads turning.”

— Dawn J., verified Afroyla review

CVS. The Dollar Tree.

“The Sanaa Salt Pop has gotten me compliments in of all places CVS and the Dollar Tree.”

— Ashley, verified Afroyla review

A flight.

“I took this with me on a flight. I received so many compliments and stares I felt like a celeb.”

— Bridgette Pratt, verified Afroyla review

Everywhere she goes.

“I’ve lost count of how many I own. I’m addicted! I get so many compliments everywhere I go.”

— D., verified Afroyla review

Her sister’s birthday.

“The back pack and wallet was a birthday gift for my sister and she loved it! Immediately put it on and modeled around the room.”

— Sonja, verified Afroyla review

Pick your design ↑
A woman with locs seen from behind, the Subira backpack on her back, its leather locs directly under her own

Why she gets noticed

You won’t see her all day. The people behind you will.

  1. Worn where they can see it

    A handbag hangs where you can see it. A backpack turns the other way. The checkout line, the pew behind yours, the office you just walked out of — they get the whole design, at eye height, for as long as you stand still.

  2. Pieces of leather, not a print

    Every design is separate pieces of leather, one laid over the next, each stitched around its own edge. They stand up off the bag and throw a small shadow. Run a thumb across her and you feel every edge.

  3. Her crown matches yours

    An afro, locs, a headwrap, a halo. Six designs, six crowns. Pick the one who wears yours.

Pick your design ↓

Questions.

Is it real leather?

Premium vegan leather — smooth, lightweight, wipes clean. Not cowhide, and we say so.

Carla Parris, verified review: “…I received the vegan leather and it feels soft. I’m not even sure I would be able to tell the difference between the genuine and this one…”

Won’t the artwork peel?

There is no print layer on these backpacks. Every shape is its own piece of leather, stitched around its edge onto the front. Run a thumb over it — you’ll feel every edge.

What fits inside?

An iPad, notebooks and the day’s essentials — sized under a full laptop. 10.2″ × 13″ × 5.1″.

Will I look like I’m carrying a school bag?

She is sized under a full laptop, with a round leather portrait on the front and gold-tone hardware. Nothing about her reads as school.

When does it ship?

In-stock charms leave the warehouse within one business day. Backpacks are pre-order: each one above shows its batch window. Delivery is 2–8 business days by the speed you choose at checkout.

Does the pre-order price apply to every backpack?

Yes. Every appliqué backpack is 50% off at pre-order price, in stock or pre-order, and your free gifts show at $0 in the cart and at checkout. No code needed.

What if it isn’t her?

30 days from delivery to return or exchange, unused and in the original packaging. Return shipping is on you unless the mistake was ours.

Is Afroyla really Black-owned?

Yes. Some people ask because they’ve never seen the owner on the page, and that’s fair. Afroyla is owned by Michelle Davis, a Black woman, and run from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Every order ships from the USA.

A woman with close-cropped hair seen from behind, the black Malaika backpack and its gold leather halo

Let her do the talking.

Six of her, 50% off with a free wallet — add a second, 50% off too, and a circle bag joins the hold. Pick the one who rides with you, from this batch, not the next.

P.S. — If you need cowhide, this isn’t it: premium vegan leather, made as one batch, with the next run weeks behind this one. If you’ve already felt one — “I’m not even sure I would be able to tell the difference between the genuine and this one” — the only question left is which design. The discount comes off in the cart, on every backpack you pick.