Our story
Potatote was founded in Oxford by Shuyu and Angel with a simple belief: the places that hold our most special memories deserve to be remembered in a thoughtful way.
We want to redefine souvenirs.
Most souvenirs are generic and quickly forgotten. We want to create something different: beautiful, practical products that people genuinely want to use and keep for a lifetime.
We started with Oxford and London, two cities we have called home for more than a decade. Angel hand-draws the streets, buildings and scenes that make these places special, and we turn her artwork into products that are genuinely useful.
Since starting Potatote, we've delivered our bags to hundreds of people. For many, our bags have become more than bags. They are reminders of their beloved city, of friendships, and of a chapter of life they want to carry with them wherever they go.
Our brand pillars
Original Hand-Drawn Art
Each design begins as an original illustration, hand-drawn by Angel and unique to Potatote. You won't find these anywhere else.
Quality & Practicality
We use premium materials and thoughtful finishes across all our products to make sure they’re built to last.
All of our bags are custom-designed with practical features, such as water bottle pockets and luggage sleeves.
A Sense of Place
Our drawings are created through careful study of real streets, real buildings, and the details that give a city its character. Every product is a little piece of the city to carry with.
A note from our co-founder and artist
Angel Shen
I have always been drawn to the beauty of old buildings and cities that stand the test of time, and have spent years trying to capture that through pen-and-ink illustration.
Potatote grew from a desire to not only create art for walls, but art that people could carry with them every day. Every drawing I make is an attempt to be as timeless and enduring as the place that inspired it. I hope our bags find a home with people who feel the same way.
xo,
Angel
angelshen.com
A note from our co-founder
Shuyu Lin
From a young age, I wanted to create something that brings value to other people.
At 18, I thought that was technology, so I came to Oxford to study Engineering. In my 20s, I thought it must be AI, so I continued with a DPhil in Computer Science and worked in a few tech companies.
Over time, my idea of impact changed.
I realised I don’t have to change the world to make something meaningful. I can make a really good tote bag. I can tell the story of Oxford very well. I can create something that becomes part of someone’s everyday life and reminds them of a place, a person or a period of time they care about. That already makes a difference. To some. Maybe to many.
That’s why we’re building Potatote today.
And lastly, why "Potatote"?
The name Potatote has a simple and personal origin. Angel’s first childhood pet was a golden hamster named Potato, and the name stayed with her ever since.
We call our bags "Potatote" because we see them as totes with the heart and soul of a potato.
Humble, dependable, and loved by almost everyone. Quietly getting the job done without making a fuss. And every potato is different. They may be simple and plentiful, but they’re full of character. That is exactly what we hope Potatote will become.