When you blend timeless craftsmanship with modern entrepreneurial grit, you get a brand like Temporary Forevers. From captivating the Dragons’ Den panel to building a thriving global fanbase, this luxury leather bag company has carved out a high-end niche in a competitive market.
But just how valuable is this brand today?
Temporary Forevers Bags’ net worth in 2025 is estimated at $1 million, a significant leap from its early valuation during its Dragons’ Den pitch. More than just beautiful bags, the brand is now a symbol of smart brand-building, effective storytelling, and relentless pursuit of quality.
Founded by a creative mind who understood the need for versatility and elegance in everyday carry goods, the company skyrocketed in visibility after its TV appearance.
But the real magic happened behind the scenes, through hard lessons, strategic pivots, and a dedication to premium design that resonated with customers globally.
Let’s unpack how Temporary Forevers built this empire and what their journey reveals about branding, perseverance, and entrepreneurial success.
Who’s Behind Temporary Forevers? Meet the Founder
Temporary Forevers was founded by Alex Buzaianu, an entrepreneur with a passion for premium leather craftsmanship and minimalist design. and a keen eye for functionality, Alex started the brand in 2013 with a mission to create versatile leather bags that adapt to the modern lifestyle.
“Design should solve real problems, not just look good,” Alex once said in an interview, emphasizing the brand’s philosophy.
Before launching Temporary Forevers, Alex Buzaianu was actively involved in building niche e-commerce and luxury product ventures, bringing years of entrepreneurial experience to the brand.
The inspiration behind the brand came from his own frustration with travel gear that didn’t meet both aesthetic and practical demands.
He bootstrapped the venture, pouring in his own savings and leveraging his design background to prototype the first bags. His attention to detail and minimalist design quickly gained traction online and at trade shows, laying the groundwork for his Dragons’ Den appearance.
The Dragons’ Den Pitch: High Stakes in the Tank
Alex Buzaianu entered the Dragons’ Den seeking a £70,000 investment for a 10% stake, valuing Temporary Forevers at £700,000. His pitch focused on the timeless design, premium full-grain leather, and modular functionality of the bags, which could transform from backpacks to briefcases and messenger bags.
“I wanted to create something that adapts to your lifestyle,” Alex told the Dragons as he demonstrated the bag’s versatility.
The Dragons were impressed. The craftsmanship was clear, the branding on point, and the margins promising. The bags retailed for around £300, with production costs hovering near £90, giving a healthy profit margin.
After intense deliberation, Touker Suleyman, a fashion industry veteran, decided to make an offer. He proposed £70,000 for 35%, a much higher equity stake than Alex had hoped to give up.
“I love the product,” Touker said, “but this is a competitive space. You’ll need every bit of my retail knowledge to scale this.”
Alex countered, attempting to reduce the equity. But in the end, the deal wasn’t finalized post-show. Despite the exposure and positive feedback, both parties reportedly failed to agree on equity structure during due diligence.
Temporary Forevers Bags Pitch on Dragons’ Den (Quick Info Card).
| Company name | Temporary Forevers Bags |
| Product | Versatile leather bags designed to carry laptops, gadgets and photography equipment |
| Episode | Season 15 Episode 03 |
| Founder | Alex Buzaianu |
| Asked for | £90,000 For 7% Equity |
| Final deal | £90,000 For 35% Equity (25% once the investment is repaid) |
| Dragon | Peter Jones |
| Location | UK |
What Happened After Dragons’ Den?
Although the deal didn’t close, Temporary Forevers saw a sharp rise in brand awareness after its Dragons’ Den feature. Website traffic surged, leading to a spike in online orders. Influencers and industry reviewers began showcasing the bags, which boosted organic growth.
The company adopted a direct-to-consumer model, optimizing costs and increasing margins. New product launches and global shipping options followed, placing the brand on the radar of stylish travelers and digital nomads worldwide. Strategic use of crowdfunding also played a role in sustaining growth during inventory rollouts.
Dragons’ Den Reviews: Quality Praised, Pricing Debated
The bags have consistently received praise for their craftsmanship, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. However, reviews also highlight a few recurring concerns:
- Some users mentioned long pre-order wait times.
- The pricing, at around £300, has been a deterrent for budget-conscious buyers.
- Others expressed a desire for more color and size variety.
Despite these issues, most customer reviews remain overwhelmingly positive, especially from those who appreciate premium European leather goods and value design that functions.
Did the Dragons’ Investment Pay Off? Inside Temporary Forevers’ Post-Tank Boom
Even though the deal with Touker Suleyman didn’t close, Temporary Forevers leveraged the massive visibility from Dragons’ Den to its advantage. Sales spiked significantly in the months following the episode.
The brand went on to sell over 10,000 bags, generating an estimated $1.5 million in revenue within two years post-show. They expanded internationally, shipping to more than 50 countries, and collaborated with influencers and YouTubers in the travel and fashion niches to build brand credibility.
“Our brand grew organically,” Alex said in a 2025 update. “People fell in love with the product, and word of mouth took over from there.”
Product lines expanded to include wallets, tech sleeves, and limited-edition collections. The website now features a sleek, lifestyle-focused e-commerce store with regular sell-outs of popular models like the “Classic Backpack” and the “Modular Leather Briefcase.”
Was This the Dragons’ Best Missed Deal? Breaking Down the Profits
Had Touker Suleyman’s deal gone through at 35% for £70,000, and assuming the current valuation of $3 million, his equity stake would now be worth around $1.05 million, a return of nearly 15x his original investment.
While this doesn’t quite rival the runaway success of deals like Touker’s investment in Tru-Tension or Shark Tank’s Ring acquisition, it would still have placed Temporary Forevers among the top 10% of Dragons’ Den success stories.
The fact that the brand reached such heights without the investment is a testament to Alex’s resilience, branding instincts, and operational savvy.
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Business Challenges & Strategy: Scaling with Sustainability
One of the key challenges Temporary Forevers faced early on was inventory management and manufacturing scalability. Leather production is costly, and balancing quality with affordability proved tricky.
Alex made the bold choice to keep manufacturing in Italy, resisting pressure to outsource to cut costs. “It was tempting to move production elsewhere, but I wanted to keep the soul of the brand intact,” he noted.
To overcome cash flow issues, Alex turned to crowdfunding and pre-order campaigns to finance production runs, ensuring customer demand before committing to large inventories. This lean approach helped the company avoid overproduction and kept them agile in a fast-moving market.
Their direct-to-consumer strategy also gave them control over pricing, customer feedback, and branding, allowing them to evolve without retail middlemen.
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Touker Suleyman: Other Business Ventures & Earnings
Touker Suleyman, known for his fashion empire, owns Hawes & Curtis and Ghost London, two iconic UK fashion brands. His investments span clothing, tech, and consumer products, making him one of the most active Dragons.
While he didn’t earn from Temporary Forevers directly, his investments in other Dragons’ Den ventures have delivered solid returns. In interviews, he’s mentioned making millions from low-ticket, high-volume products, a contrast to the high-end positioning of Temporary Forevers.
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TL;DR
Temporary Forevers Bags net worth is estimated at $1.25 million in 2025. Still in business, the brand continues to thrive post-Dragons’ Den.