Designing with Nature – The Story Behind The Red-Winged Starling Bag

by Thomas Spronk | Jun 20, 2025 | Bags

It started in the factory. We were digging through stacks of cotton from past production runs, offcuts and rolls that didn’t quite match up but still had plenty of life in them. The goal, as always, was to work with what we had. No waste. As we began sorting and pairing, multiple color stories started to emerge, one of them dust orange and black. We started sketching designs based on what was available, not following trends, but letting material and vibes lead the way. Then came the birds.

Inspiration from Nature: The Red-Winged Starling

While flipping through sketches, I began to notice them -red-winged starlings- hopping around in the garden in the early mornings. All over the Cape Peninsula: the mountain edges, even in the heart of the city. They had this presence, confident but not showy, moving in pairs or small groups, especially at sunrise and sunset. 

A color story started to emerge: orange, and what I initially thought was black turned out – as Dane pointed out – to be iridescent black, a color that appears black from certain angles but displays a spectrum of colors, particularly rainbow-like hues, when viewed from different angles or under varying light conditions.

In Afrikaans they’re called rooivlerkspreeu, and in Zulu and Xhosa, iSomi. They typically prefer cliffs and rocky mountain edges for nesting, but have gradually moved into towns and cities, drawn to high-rise buildings and ledges that mirror their original habitat. Just like our daily rhythms, they shift between natural spaces and urban ones, following patterns that feel both wild and familiar.

They were at the bakery, hopping onto tables, sneaking toward crumbs. Not aggressive, just sly and confident with respect to the environment. Cheeky. Unbothered. The red-winged starling is territorial, aggressive and intolerant when nesting, mind you. When not breeding, red-winged starlings are highly gregarious and will associate with other members of their species in large flocks. They are omnivores, taking a wide range of seeds, berries, nectar from plants such as Aloe and Schotia brachypetala, and invertebrates, such as the beetle species Pachnoda sinuata. They may take nestlings and adults of certain bird species, such as the African palm swift (source).

Birds and Symbols: What the Red-Winged Starling Represents

Only later did I learn that in many cultures, starlings are seen as symbols of change, a sign that something new is on the way. They’re often thought of as wise birds, messengers calling you to let go of emotional baggage, to clear space for new energy. Whether or not you lean into that symbolism, there’s something quietly powerful in that idea: the birds moving through space freely, reminding us that sometimes clarity comes not through control, but by observing.

We didn’t set out to make a bag based on a bird. But the colors we chose -orange, black, indigo- mirrored the starling perfectly. And the way these birds moved between city and wildness echoed how we live: bike rides, trail runs, ocean swims, steep hikes, followed by meetings, studio days, and errands in the city. 

That’s when the bag became more than a design, it became part of a bigger rhythm. That’s something I love about working on Killat: the unexpected links. You start with offcut fabric. You go out and pay attention. And in that process, nature starts speaking back. You notice more. You learn as you go.

The Red-Winged Starling Bag is now available in two variations in our South African and international shops, and will soon be available in select stores around Cape Town, Johannesburg and Europe.

Please note: we’ve only produced 100 bags in total, so don’t wait too long if you’d like to get your hands on one.

🇿🇦SA Shop
+ Kota Moon (hip/sling/handlebar)
+ New Moon (hip/sling)

🇪🇺EU Shop
(pre-order, bags will be shipped/delivered by July 4th)
+ Kota Moon (hip/sling/handlebar)
+ New Moon (hip/sling)

Note: The red-winged starling is not endangered and can be a pest in some areas, raiding orchards and attacking people that wander too close to their nests. There are some birds that need help though. Consider supporting a fund like Birdlife SA or initiatives like the Cape Bird Club

Words by: Thomas