About us
Hey,
we are Joana and Serkan, the proud founders of MAKANI.
Our journey began with a vision: to bring a breath of fresh air to the world of handbags. The name MAKANI, which means “wind” in Hawaiian, reflects this perfectly – a breath of fresh air in an often stagnant market.
In today’s world, we often shop online, get excited about a product, only to discover that it is morally questionable because it is made of genuine leather, is overpriced, or simply fails to meet our quality standards. This is exactly where we come in.
Our goal is to overcome these challenges by creating high-quality, affordable, and vegan handbags and accessories that are designed in Germany and manufactured under ethically sound conditions.
FAIRNESS
For us at MAKANI, it is essential to maintain a close and friendly relationship with our manufacturers. This relationship enables us to consistently meet our high standards of quality, ethics, and environmental friendliness. It is this core value of fairness that forms the basis for everything we do – from the first design to the finished product.
We are delighted that you are part of our MAKANI Family.
The story behind every bag
At MAKANI, you’re not just buying a bag – you’re receiving a piece of our story. Each of our vegan bags is crafted by experienced artisans who are committed to ethical working conditions and environmentally friendly materials. We firmly believe that every product is unique and tells a story worth sharing.
Our commitment to fair compensation and a creative work environment shows how deeply we want to contribute positively to the world. We hope that when you carry our bags, you not only look stylish but also feel good knowing that you’re making a difference.
MAKANI's early days were marked by dedication and perseverance. Without the necessary knowledge or resources to build an online presence, we transformed our apartment into an office and later into a warehouse – all in service of our dream. Despite the adverse circumstances and challenges, we found incredible support and enthusiasm among our customers.
Your support was the key to our growth. It encouraged us to expand our capacity and move to a larger warehouse to meet demand. Ultimately, we partnered with a fulfillment provider so we could serve you even better.
We are overwhelmed by the love and support we have received from you, our MAKANI Family. Your belief in our vision and philosophy drives us and makes us proud to be part of this wonderful community. Thank you for joining us on this wonderful journey.
We are incredibly grateful that you have made all of this possible for us and proud that you are part of our MAKANI Family.



