Lifestyle and travel accessory leader, CALPAK, is expanding its Baby Collection this April with two new styles.
CALPAK
In the heart of Los Angeles in 1989, Edward and Judy Kwon launched Calpak that would eventually shape the way travelers packed. Originally called California Pack, it started as a limited collection of handbags and wallets. Over the early years, the brand gradually grew its product line, reaching new markets through major retail partnerships. A key milestone came in 2005, when Calpak launched its first hard-shell luggage collection, designed to meet the growing demand for durable, lightweight suitcases.
In the 1990s, Judy and Edward Kwon, immigrants from South Korea, began to expand their ‘California Pak’ line with soft-side luggage and smart duffel bags.
Calpak
What began as a small family venture would soon evolve into Calpak, a global travel brand focused on creating high-quality, stylish, and accessible travel bags.
Calpak’s story is not just one of product innovation—it’s also a narrative of family legacy. In 2013, Edward and Judy’s children, Jennifer and Roy Kwon, decided to step back into the family business and breathe new life into the brand. Jennifer Kwon, now President of Calpak, recalls: “In 2013, I joined the family business and focused on creating a brand that embraced a fresh, modern vision, focused on design-driven products and an online audience.”
By 2013 the company rebranded to Calpak, with a new logo and look designed to focus on a new generation of avid travelers. That year their children Jennifer and Roy joined the company.
Calpak
Before the rebrand, Calpak had already made significant strides in the luggage industry, especially after the successful launch of its first hard-shell luggage collection in 2005. But as the travel landscape shifted—driven by social media and lifestyle-centric trends—it became clear that a transformation was necessary. “At the time, most luggage and travel options catered to business travelers, with little available for personal or leisure trips,” Kwon explains. “Calpak’s rebrand in 2013 focused on creating products that were more expressive, design-forward, and tailored to the modern traveler—while still remaining functional, long lasting, and accessible.”
CALPAK’s baby bag collection launched last February 2024, garnering a 7,000+ person waitlist.
Calpak
This design and digitally-driven approach marked a turning point for Calpak. Since then, the company has diversified its product offerings far beyond traditional luggage. With a clear focus on innovation, Calpak now offers backpacks, totes, accessories, and most recently, baby bags—each designed with the needs of real travelers and families in mind. “As a primarily DTC brand, we’re hyper-focused on customer feedback and creating products our customers love and can use for years of travel and memories,” Kwon says.
Calpak Baby Collection Launch
But CALPAK’s evolution didn’t stop at individual travelers. In February 2024, the company debuted its Baby Collection, crafted specifically for the modern parent. With many parents on the CALPAK team themselves, the aim was to “get the baby category right,” as Kwon puts it. “We were on a mission to create stylish, yet versatile staples to improve everyday life and commuting for all families.”
Developed with insight from real Calpak parents, these new styles balance practicality with the company’s signature and sleek design. Both are crafted from recycled, water-resistant materials and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified for safety.
Calpak
That mission began with the Diaper Backpack, complete with a padded laptop sleeve, eco-friendly materials, and parent-approved organization. In April 2025, the line expanded again with the Weekender Duffel—perfect as a hospital or overnight bag—and the Crossbody Diaper Bag for minimalist parents who value function and flair.
CALPAK is preparing for a new product category that will launch in June, designed for their “smallest customers,” teasing a blend of CALPAK’s signature design details with playful touches. While the full details are still under wraps, it’s another step in the brand’s continuous expansion into lifestyle-driven collections that span all life stages.
Calpak Luka’s 85,000-Person Waitlist
Among Calpak’s best-selling collections in 2025 are the Terra and Luka lines. Each reflects the brand’s commitment to function, design, and sustainability. The Terra Collection, made from recycled, eco-friendly materials, is water-resistant and ideal for everything from rugged adventures to airport runs. Then there’s the Luka Collection, a fan favorite with a devoted following—so much so that it amassed an 85,000-person waitlist.
Calpak continues to expand the brand’s assortment of bags.
Calpak
Known for its lightweight durability, nine smart pockets, dedicated shoe compartment, and under-seat airplane fit, it’s a staple for both daily use and global travel. Originally launched in 2019, the Luka Duffel was created in a standard, large, and newly launched mini size as of April 30, 2025, an example of Calpak’s iterative design process.
From Edward and Judy’s small start in 1989 to their children Jennifer and Roy’s revitalization of the brand in 2013 and to the present-day, Calpak remains true to its Los Angeles roots, family values, and a dedication to designing for smart travel.
