In the spring of 2008, Larchmont resident Leslie Trent purchased a laptop—and then couldn’t find anything stylish to carry it around in. “There was nothing chic at all,” says the former fashion sales director for leading European fashion companies. “Women were carrying magnificent, expensive handbags with ugly twenty-dollar cases for their very expensive technical equipment.” This prompted her and partner Detlef Meffert of Germany to found Techtotes and offer über-stylish technical cases at recession-friendly prices. Their debut product line ranges from a cellphone carrier with a three-way adjustable gold chain ($28) to a dual-purpose attaché case/laptop carrier ($125), plus a laptop or portfolio case ($78), a Netbook case ($88), cases suitable for iPads and Kindles ($42), and a multi-use envelope ($98). The collection features luxurious Ultrasuede linings, thick padding, interior Velcro enclosures, and brass hardware. Trent chose a synthetic material because, she says, it was waterproof and kept the cost of the items down. The products are made in China. “We tried to have a sample made in New York and it cost something like three thousand dollars,” says Trent. Techtotes are available locally at Parker’s in Rye and online at techtotes.net.
