Crafted for the considered life

We believe the most luxurious thing an object can be is considered.

Considered in its materials, hides chosen piece by piece, nothing wasted. Considered in its making, small numbers, made to order, no production line. And considered in its design, bags that hold their composure on the street at a workday and their charm on a Saturday, with one private extravagance: a jewel-toned suede side to keep within, flash with a fold, or wear as the bag itself.

What we make is a small range, made properly, in Britain, to order. Composed on the outside. Colour within. That's the whole philosophy, the rest is stitching.

I have spent the last 10 years climbing the corporate ladder. I have worked 16 hour days, making good money but not having the time or energy spending it.

I had 5 promotions in 10 years. I got one of them during a personal crisis, and it made me feel seen. It made me feel valuable. So I decided to buy myself my first designer bag to celebrate. This was not an easy choice.

I wanted something timeless, high quality and practical. I first looked at the mid-luxury brands, going to Selfridges to feel them, try them on, and soon realised they are not practical (either an awkward shape, or it does not hang on your shoulder) or versatile. I especially gravitated towards suede bags, but then remembered that I live in London and one drop of rain can ruin them.

So I said ok, I will go get myself a real designer bag. I ended up buying one of an established luxury brand's bags because it looked beautiful and felt beautiful in the hand.

But when I started carrying it for work, in the tube, I realised the handle is too short to comfortably carry it, it became super heavy once it was full, and it didn't attach to my luggage for work trips. It only ever did one job. Sure, it looked beautiful and credible enough to take to work, looked beautiful on my desk and went perfectly with my outfits, but I paid over £1200 for it, and it still didn't deliver.

So 9 months ago I decided to do something about it. Design something beautiful, versatile and practical, designed by a woman who works, for women who work.

Playing around with materials, I realised I could make 2 bags in 1: leather on the outside, suede on the inside. Fully reversible. So if it rains, you reverse it and it's protected. Then the handle comes off, and it becomes a clutch. One bag, four ways. Shoulder to clutch, day to evening, rain or no rain.

I chose the leather for how it lives, not how it photographs. It holds its shape, resists scratches, and doesn't mind the weather. It feels like leather and smells like leather, which is the whole point.

The advantage of being an independent brand is that everything can stay small on purpose. Small limited drops per colour, two or three colours at a time. Made in our London atelier and inspected one by one. When they're gone, they're gone.

With that, Auvence was born.