In a city where every second matters, finding a bag that keeps up feels nearly impossible. Whether commuting on the subway, rushing to class, hitting the gym, or running errands, the newly launched “Utility Tote” by FHD offers the ultimate all-in-one solution.
With its sleek black composition, utilitarian structure, and refined chicness, this tote strikes the perfect balance between style and practicality. Designed by Flora Hu, a recent Parsons School of Design alum (‘23) and co-founder of FHD, the tote is now available for pre-order following last week’s website launch.
FHD was founded by three best friends in a SoHo studio, driven by a shared vision of uniting artists and designers through the power of creative collaboration. Their brand philosophy embodies freedom and innovation, merging function and art without sacrificing either — starting with the Utility Tote.
Hu first experimented with creating totes by designing and gifting custom-made bags to friends. Born in Paris and raised in Houston, Texas, Hu always had a passion for drawing and painting. She initially pursued fashion design at Parsons but came to a realization after her first year: “I actually didn’t like designing clothes,” Hu admitted.
An internship during her second-year in Leather Goods and Accessories, specifically focusing on bags, solidified Hu’s shift to product design — she hasn’t looked back since.
“I’ve always been drawn to objects and shapes more than clothing,” Hu said.
Her aptitude for visualizing and creating pieces felt natural given her fine arts background, where she experimented with mixed media and three-dimensional work. The shift allowed her to combine her fine arts background with practical design, ultimately leading to the creation of FHD’s signature tote.
During her undergraduate studies, Hu interned in accessory design with brands like Alexander Wang and Ulla Johnson — where she currently works as an associate handbag designer. But recently, Hu has felt called to expand on her own designs.
“There is so much potential when you build something of your own,” Hu said, contrasting the creative freedom of running her own brand with the structured environment of working for an established fashion company.
What started as a creative outlet — making bags for friends — quickly resulted in overwhelming positive feedback, encouraging Hu to take it more seriously. As her designs evolved and grew more complex, she realized her hobby could grow into something bigger. With the help of her best friends and co-founders, Olivia Shyn, chief marketing officer, and Jimmy Liu, chief executive officer, FHD was born, and the Utility Tote quickly took shape.
After numerous sketches and prototypes, the tote emerged in two sizes, crafted from 24 oz canvas with a water-resistant ripstop lining and equipped with four exterior and two interior pockets.
The large tote is fitted with a laptop compartment, while the small version features adjustable, detachable crossbody straps. Both options include water bottle pockets, making them ideal for managing the varied demands of daily life.
The Utility Tote is part of the The Originals Collection, FHD’s signature line, which focuses on creating pieces that establish the brand’s identity while laying the groundwork for future artist collaborations. “I wanted to bridge the worlds of design and fine arts, which always felt separate to me,” Hu explained.
Building on this foundation, FHD’s next step is artist collaborations, starting with graphic artist Joey Farrel, whose print will overlay a special edition of the Utility Tote. “Working with others pushes me beyond my comfort zone and opens me up to new ideas,” Hu said.
Whether you are an artist, a designer, or someone searching for a chic tote that can do it all, Hu envisions FHD as a platform that invites you to be part of something bigger: “Together we can explore how to create something new.”
