We started M8ties after one too many broken zips, lost pens and bags that simply didn't hold up real life.


Buying everyday carry items shouldn’t feel disposable — yet it often does. Things wear out too fast, lose their shape, or stop doing the job they were meant to do. We were tired of replacing perfectly good-looking items halfway through the year because they just couldn’t keep up.

M8ties was created to change that.

We design durable, thoughtfully made carry pieces for young people — items that do more than hold stationery, books, music, or gear. They’re built to support busy days, constant movement, and the realities of growing up in a world that asks a lot.

Then came the bigger reason.

Behind the products are real young people navigating pressure, change, expectations, and identity. In Australia, around 1 in 13 adolescents aged 12–17 reported seriously considering suicide in the past year [1][2], and many more experience ongoing distress and overwhelm. Those numbers aren’t abstract — they represent students, friends, and families who deserve better support.

That reality shapes everything we do.

 

Why we do it

We design pencil cases, bags, and accessories that do more than carry content.


They carry confidence.

They carry self-expression.

They carry a little safe space.


Our products are made to last through everyday use — the drops, the rushes, the “what-just-happened” moments — while still feeling good to use and personal to the person carrying them.

 

What makes M8ties different

  • Built to last
    Strong stitching, smart compartments, and considered construction designed for real, repeated use — not trends or short lifespans.

  • Designed with intention
    Functional layouts, expressive fabrics, and details that make everyday organisation easier and more personal.

  • Ethically made
    We work with partners who share our commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and responsible production.

  • Waste-conscious materials
    Some of our cotton fabrics come from salvaged remnants, reducing landfill waste while keeping each piece unique.

  • Purpose beyond the product
    We donate 5% of profits to the Raise Foundation, supporting youth mental health and mentoring programs in Australian high schools.

At M8ties, we believe everyday gear should last, feel good to use, and stand for something meaningful.

Designed to last. Made to matter.

— The M8ties Team

 

Note: figures vary between studies and age groups; the most recent national data for 12–17 year-olds remains from 2013-14, while newer research covers broader age bands.

[1] Australian Institute of Family Studies (2016), based on the Young Minds Matter survey 2013-14. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/young-minds-matter-depression-psychological-distress-self-harming-and

[2] Australian Institute of Family Studies (2025) https://aifs.gov.au/growing-australia/media/one-third-teens-experience-suicidal-thoughts-and-behaviours