Five years ago, Monos launched with a simple proposition: premium luggage without the luxury-brand markup. Today, the Vancouver-founded company has become one of Canada’s best-known travel brands, building a loyal following around its minimalist suitcases, direct-to-consumer model and philosophy of mindful travel.
Founded in 2018 by childhood friends Victor Tam, Hubert Chan and Daniel Shin, Monos launched just months before the pandemic brought global travel to a standstill. Rather than retreat, the direct-to-consumer brand doubled down on marketing the promise of future adventures. By the end of 2020, it had already reached $8 million in revenue. Since then, Monos has expanded into retail, earned B Corp certification, opened stores in Vancouver and Toronto and begun evolving beyond luggage into a broader lifestyle brand.
The understatedly luxurious design aesthetic that defines the brand’s products carries over into its Mount Pleasant headquarters. A neutral palette, earthy surfaces and materials and a general sense of minimalism give the space an almost spa-like feel. “What we wanted someone to first feel when they arrive is checking into a beautiful hotel lobby,” says chief creative officer Hubert Chan. Floor-to-ceiling sheer drapery diffuses the sunlight, creating what Chan describes as a “calming and inviting feeling.”
The heart of the office is a sprawling open kitchen, where Monos employees gather for everything from team lunches to company-wide town halls. Equipped with a full oven and stovetop, the space was designed to encourage people to slow down and connect—whether that’s wrapping dumplings together, baking bread or simply sharing a meal. “As a team here, we love sharing meals together,” says co-founder Victor Tam. “Eating good food is a huge part of who we are as a company.”
The kitchen has taken on a second life as a testing ground for Postcard, Monos’ Chicago-based hospitality concept. Housed inside the company’s flagship luggage store, the music-forward café and contemporary lounge is part of Monos’ broader push beyond travel accessories and into lifestyle experiences. “It’s really nice having a fully equipped kitchen space here for us to collaborate with our chef and really develop the menu,” adds Chan.
A wraparound deck furnished with lounge seating serves as a popular gathering spot during the summer months. Elsewhere, a dedicated tea room stocked with traditional tea sets offers employees a quieter space to recharge.
