The Harlequin story

From a tiny flat to six million aussie kids!

1996: IT STARTED WITH A LIBRARY BAG (AND A LOT OF HUSTLE)

Like all great origin stories, ours begins with a dream, a tiny flat in Redfern, and a lot of late nights. Our Founder, Penny, fresh from England, arrived in Australia with a suitcase full of ambition (and far too many shoes). With a background in bag design, she saw the sad, flimsy bags kids were hauling their libary books to school and thought, “Nope, I can do better.” So, she did. 

By day, she worked at the iconic Hard Rock Café. By night, she packed wholesale school orders for Harlequin’s very first product that Penny invented—the Safety Library Bag. Orders arrived via mail and fax machine. (if you just Googled ‘fax machine,’ congrats, you’re officially Gen Z).

And because all great heroes need a sidekick, Penny called in reinforcements—her mum, Norma, who flew out from England to help pack orders, chase-up suppliers, and attempt to decipher a Sydney street map that may or may not have been upside down and of course, make industrial quantities of tea.

GROWING UP (JUST LIKE OUR CUSTOMERS)

From one library bag to a full range of ergonomic school bags and accessories, Harlequin grew fast—probably because we never compromised on quality. Schools loved us. Mums and dads raved about us. And most importantly, kids took their Harlequin bags on adventures from classrooms to treehouses.

Today, over six million Aussie kids have had a Harlequin product slung over their shoulders. We’ve been the trusted wholesaler for school uniform shops across Australia for nearly 30 years, ensuring students get the best quality gear. In 2013, we made our personalised school essentials available to all families with our online store.

BUILT TO LAST (JUST LIKE OUR FRIENDSHIPS AND YOUR KID’S BACKPACK)

Harlequin bags don’t just last—they endure. They get dragged through playgrounds, stuffed with half-eaten sandwiches, and still live to tell the tale. 

And the people behind the bags? We’re still here too. Penny has upgraded from that tiny flat in Redfern to our warehouse and office in Banksmeadow. (She still has way too many shoes). Penny’s first paid employee is still her best friend (shout-out to you, Michelle!), and customers who bought their first Harlequin bag in the ‘90s are now buying them for their own kids. (We’re not crying, you’re crying.)

The future: more colours, more fun, same Harlequin magic

Nearly 30 years on, we’re still making the best school bags in the business. The ones that don’t break. The ones that don’t give kids sore backs. The ones that make parents feel like they’ve nailed at least one part of this whole school thing. Whether you’re new here or a long-time Harlequin fan, welcome. We’re here to make school runs easier, one ridiculously good bag at a time.

OUR CORE VALUES

  • School years, playground battles, juice spills—our bags can handle it all, and then some.

  • Ergonomic, chiropractor-approved, and made so kids don’t feel like they’re lugging bricks to school.

  • Millions of kids, thousands of schools, and one goal: making school gear that actually lasts.

  • Tough enough for school, cool enough for kids, and won’t fall apart before Term 2.

  • Our bags last for years, not months, which means less landfill and more planet-saving points for you.

  • Millions of kids, thousands of schools, and one goal: making school gear that actually lasts.

So there you have it!

Our bags can survive kids. That’s it. That’s basically our core value in a nutshell. Built tough, made to last, and ready for whatever school (or life) throws at them. Ready to upgrade to a bag that actually keeps up? 

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