A few years ago seeing a guy with a bag was about as rare as seeing Anna Wintour without her sunglasses—it just didn’t happen. But recently men have been jumping on the fashionable bandwagon and buying luxury handbags in record numbers. So it makes sense that new accessory brands are popping up around the world. One such label, H.L. James, is offering men a new breed of luxury bags with handcrafted products, designed by Italian artisans, using American alligator leather. With a focus on quality and craftsmanship, they guarantee their pieces for life and even make complimentary repairs at the customer’s request.
Founded by a few “well-traveled luxury connoisseurs” the brand was launched during the inaugural season of NYFW: Men’s. With a simple collection of backpacks, wallets, tech cases and travel accessories, the line was created for affluent globetrotters who desire both function and fashion in their handbags. Handmade in Italy, H.L. James pieces use alligator hide and calfskin, the strongest silk thread available, and hardware that is crafted and fitted in Tuscany. It’s definitely not for the luxury novice.
While their selection is limited (they’ve only just launched—they’ll be expanding their offerings in the future), they work closely with each customer to create a bag that will speak to their own sense of style and personal taste. As every piece is cut, matched and stitched by hand, the colors and hardware finishes can be mixed and matched to create a unique piece. Some of the larger bags even have removable pouches to tuck away valuables or create extra space. We like to think of these as a very stylish middle ground between travel necessities and fashion accessories.
H.L. James is available online and priced from $195-$34,999.
