ABOUT US

Slow Fashion Handbag Brand

OUR FASHION STARTS HERE.

We believe that good fashion is as much about the maker as it is about the finished product. By working directly with artisans in IndiaMexico & Ethiopia, we're producing thoughtfully designed & ethically made handbags to help end the cycle of poverty - to be a part of changing the fashion industry for good.

Our model is to pay our artisan partners upfront. We purchase the raw materials before production begins & then paid a mutually agreed upon fair wage for their time & craftsmanship so they don’t have to take on any risk of production. That way, too, they can count on consistent paychecks to support themselves & their families. 

At Purse & Clutch, every purchase contributes to this mission of supporting long-term employment for men & women around the world with limited fair job opportunities. These handbags are truly one of kind, slowly handcrafted by our dedicated artisans.

OUR VALUES.

We're committed to the following set of values:

  • No forced or child labor
  • Artisans are paid a living wage & work in positive environments
  • We have a long term relationship of sustainable work with each of our artisan groups
  • Our artisan groups are conscious of their social, economic, & environmental impact on their country & ours using as many natural techniques & dyes as possible
  • We have a strict nondiscrimination policy based on gender, race, caste, political affiliation or age

You can read in depth about our specific production process & practices within each of our partner artisan groups in IndiaMexico & Ethiopia

The design process is collaborative – we work with the artisans to see where they really shine & then bring our interpretation to the drawing board. Adding in a pocket for a cell phone, playing with the scale of the classic Mexican embossed details or including a wristlet strap to increase functionality so that you can carry a bag that perfectly fits your lifestyle. 

The final product is a beautiful & unique blend of cultures. 


Founder + Executive Director, Jen Lewis

Most of my professional career has been working on community development programs that center on fair employment opportunity. I am drawn to the beauty of international cultures & want join along side their fight against the systems that keep people in poverty generation after generation. 

From summers spent in Mexico & Bolivia to longer stints in Guatemala & Honduras, I've seen the need for consistent employment first hand. (You can read more in this blog post.) 

I started Purse & Clutch in 2011 to connect talented artisans with a market here in the States. I was amazed to learn about how jobs were transforming the lives of the women & men we were partnering with & realized since I was based in the States I could help facilitate that connection to help them grow. We have the privilege of working directly with artisan groups all around the world, designing beautiful textiles & styles that are meant to stand the test of time. 

Jen Lewis has an undergraduate degree in Chemistry & received her Master's in Leadership & Ethics from John Brown University in 2009. She launched Purse & Clutch in 2011. In addition to running Purse & Clutch, she & her husband Jonathan do their fair share of running after their young daughters Grey & Paige. Contact Jen directly at jen@purseandclutch.com. 

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Interested in learning more about Ethical Fashion? Head over to our Resources page where we have compiled a list of articles, podcasts & films that have inspired & supported us on our journey. 

 

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