A leather workshop can be seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the first story of a townhouse in Edinburgh. On Melville Street, passersby may see the next big thing in fashion or see the meticulous hand restoration of a leather satchel if they know what to look for. The offices of Strathberry, a Scottish accessories company that is stealthily taking over one handbag at a time, are concealed behind the stunning Georgian exterior.
Even though the handbag line is only a little over 12 years old, it has the kind of craftsmanship and quality you would anticipate from a heritage company that has been around for generations. In addition to trend-forward designs that easily blend modern and classic sensibilities, the line features timeless carry-alls like the sophisticated midi tote (get ready to see the Kite Hobo Bag everywhere this autumn).
Fans include wealthy celebrities like Kelly Rutherford, whose tiny tote is also a staple on the Upper East Side, and Pamela Anderson, who selected the Mosaic Bag for her Naked Gun junket in July. Ayo Edebiri and Iris Law are examples of Gen Z cool gals. (They have been seen with the Charlotte Drawstring and the Multrees, respectively.) With the release of a new cashmere capsule and an adventurous partnership with Cinq à Sept this autumn, the brand is also gaining significant traction. Naturally, it doesn’t hurt that almost every member of the royal family, including Princess Kate, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and Zara Tindall, frequently wears Strathberry handbags.
In summary, this is a brand to keep an eye on this year—and definitely buy from. Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about Strathberry and why its opulent, timeless bags are so worthwhile.
The Past
Strathberry was established in 2013 by Guy and Leeanne Hundleby, a husband and wife duo, with a dedication to timeless design and an impending brand signature—a bar closing modelled after an old music folio. “It’s always been our plan to ensure our bags could be carried for generations of the same family,” Leeanne says of the couple’s concept. “We never wanted to be a bright neon green bag carrying that would last one summer and then be put in the cupboard gathering dust.”
Not to disparage neon green, but Strathberry is succeeding with the classic strategy. When Meghan Markle wore a Strathberry tote to her first public appearance with Prince Harry in 2017, the brand saw a sharp increase in sales as the globe became enamoured with their royal romance. Since then, sales have increased consistently as the brand has maintained its emphasis on well-considered details, well-balanced designs, and premium fabrics that can endure regular wear.
The name Strathberry, which references the couple’s shared history and passion for crafting, says it all. Strath means “wide river” in Scots, while the suffix -berry alludes to the custom of utilising berries to colour local textiles and materials. Naturally, the creators of the company are dedicated to maintaining their simple style rather than following trends, and each bag is created in Scotland.Guy says, “It’s probably a part of our being here in Edinburgh.” “We’re away from the fashion centers and just exist in our own creative space.” The evidence? Since 2020, Kate Middleton has been wearing the Multrees Chain Wallet. The Sussex-approved Midi Tote, which is now offered in deep burgundy and embossed croc, is still a popular style eight years after it initially gained attention.
The Artistry
It is one thing to design with lifespan in mind. Making lifetime-lasting leather items is another matter entirely.
To carry out their idea, the Strathberry founders made the early decision to work with craftspeople in Ubrique, Andalucia. This region of Spain is the perfect second location for Strathberry manufacture because of its impeccable leatherwork, a trade that has been perfected and passed down over ages. Close collaboration with these factories has been crucial to the brand’s value proposition and quality.
Salpa maquettes, which are handbag prototypes brought from Scotland, are meticulously transformed into ready-to-carry purses by artisans utilising only the finest leather, suede, and metal for each single Strathberry handbag. Simply put, these are the people you want producing a high-end leather product for you if you’re shopping for one. By the figures? Each handbag requires up to 2,000 stitches and 80 leather pattern pieces, not including any unique dyes, finishes, or design components. For example, the tan mosaic bag with vanilla stitching is worth $625 because of its meticulous attention to detail and dedication to craftsmanship.
The Argument
How can you maintain that ancestral look while producing items that are in style year after year? That’s the magic of Strathberry.
The Kite Bag, the brand’s most recent success, serves as an example. The purse combines both form and function in spades, combining the perfect balance of bohemian-era flourishes (such chocolate brown suede and cool-girl metallic hardware) with opulent features (like a belt buckle-style strap and an attached inside compartment for valuables). It can hold a laptop and draw attention from fashionable onlookers on the street. Invest in a bag that is capable of both.
“We know what the customer will like,” says Leeanne. And it results from having stunning silhouettes that endure throughout time. The Kite design is both timeless and contemporary, even with its flowing shape (the majority of Strathberry bags go more toward the structured side of the purse range) and distinctive hardware: ‘I adore the loudness of it’. “It’s really resonated, and I love how we’ve used [the Strathberry music bar],’ she continues.
What will happen to the preferred handbag brand of both British monarchy and it girls in the future? In 2021, the brand debuted a silk line (imagine stylish scarves to wrap around bag handles), and in 2022, it released jewellery based on the range’s iconic hardware. With silky woven capes, opulent gloves and travel wraps for fall, Strathberry cashmere—made in Scotland, of course—made its debut earlier this month and was available both online and in stores.
If you’re seeking something new, you can always find the brand’s classics in new sizes and designs. For example, the green Croc-embossed nano tote is a cute little replica of the original, which was renowned for being approved by Meghan and Harry. It is just as desirable now as it was in 2017 and will undoubtedly be so for many years to come.
