Meghan Markle’s handbags: Strathberry co-founder on rise of Scottish brand since Duchess of Sussex first wore one of its totes
On a recent visit to Hong Kong, Leeanne Hundleby talks about the ‘madness’ that followed Meghan Markle wearing one of her handbags and why being worn by a royal does not guarantee survival
There are moments in every designer’s career that they never forget. For Strathberry co-founder Leeanne Hundleby, it wasn’t just the day Meghan Markle was spotted carrying one of her handbags – it was a phone call she received later.
“Admittedly that was the world’s craziest day ever, but the aftermath was madness,” says the Scottish mother of four with a laugh. “One day we had a call from our painter to let us know that some girls had tracked down where we lived and were standing outside the front door looking to buy handbags. It was surreal.”
Life has changed considerably since Hundleby founded Strathberry with her husband Guy. The Edinburgh-based couple launched the label in 2013 after discovering a group of leather artisans in the mountains of Spain. Inspired to share their craft, they headed home and came up with the idea of a handbag line that showcased the quality leathers at an affordable price.
“I had no fashion background whatsoever but I liked bags myself and felt that I had a good idea of what other women wanted. I always knew we didn’t want to hit the Chanel price point, because it’s so hard to be accepted. Instead it was about creating a bag my friends would buy that was pretty and sophisticated but made from gorgeous leather and beautifully presented,” Hundleby says.
“The modern woman wants a lot of choice when it comes to their bags and their wardrobe, and tend to mix and match expensive with less expensive. There was a sweet spot in the market.”
