The Bite Magazine - issue 16

A good leather bag is something ever y- one needs in one’s life. Period. Honestly, there is no way around this fact. Sure, one could try using nylon, canvas or some other ‘tough’ fabric, but really, who are we kidding? Leather is always the way to go. Everyone, no matter where they live or what they do, needs a durable, functional and sturdy bag in their wardrobe’s arsenal to help them take on the demands of the day to day activities, to tote and carry the necessities of life with phone, wallet, keys, snack and oh yea, a million other little things. But what happens when one’s fails to find their perfect mira- cle-working satchel? Do they settle for something subpar? Maybe, but let’s hope they seek out one of Brenda Macle- od’s gorgeous leather bags before throwing in the towel altogether. Macleod was born in Africa, but moved to the United Kingdom when she was an adult and settled in beautiful Inverness in Scotland. It was here as she continued her career in finance that her discovery for the need of the perfect carry-all came to light. She needed a durable, functional bag for work, but when she couldn’t found one suitable to her needs, she allowed her passion for high quality leather accessories - espe- cially handbags - to drive her to create the Brenda Macleod brand. Contain- ing luxurious, stylish and practical handbags appro- priate for not only work, but travel and leisure as well, the Brenda Macleod brand contains impecca- bly designed pieces for the stylish woman on the go. Her background in business and finance proved to be invaluable in this venture, however, never one to settle for the bare minimum, Macleod decided to further enrich her skillset by attending the UK’s prestigious London College of Fashion. During this period, she also travelled to Italy and spent some time learning the traditional method of vegetable dying and tanning of leather.This experience abroad enabled her to seek out and source a manufacturer with strong family values, ethics and superior craftsmanship. Her aspiration to discover the best resources and materials is what sets Macleod’s brand above the others, meaning one will fail to find dissatisfactory or substand- ard items here but rather a collection of leather goods that are extremely well made from high quality materials by tra- ditionally trained artisans. Drawing inspiration from her home in the Highlands of Scotland and using the beautiful raw materials from Florence in Italy, she has been able to create a line of accessories that blend quality, style and flawless craftsmanship in perfect harmony. “We select the finest leathers for our production, focusing on luxuri- ous natural leathers.” Macleod’s pieces use only all-natural leather, which is then tanned using pure, natural vegetable dyes ensuring that no chemicals, no buffing and no artificial finishes are involved in the tanning process. “This means that every piece of our leather is allowed to retain its individual and unique patina, and being such a natural product will age beautifully with deeper colour tones.” Ergo, each piece is still highly individual and in perfect synch with its structural design. Inspired by real people, each of the Macleod’s bags showcases the personality of the individual they have been named after. “Like the Grace Tote, named after my sister, who is elegant, beautiful and accommodating.The Grace Tote is stylish, elegant and comes with multi compart- ments to accommodate both work and personal essentials,” states Macleod. Personally, I love the beyond elegant and timeless look of the Grace Tote which comes in a variety of colour choices and features a generous interior space lined with pigskin, a sturdy pair of rolled leather handles with a 13cm drop making it light and comfortable to wear either over one’s arm or carry by hand, a golden brass frame with a magnetic snap closure and protective brass feet, several internal pockets to help keep one organised and a key holder ring. It actually reminds me of the unrivaled chicness of a Hermes Kelly Bag with its simple and clean design. The other showstopper in the Brenda Macleod collection has to be the Joan Tote. The shape of this structured tote is unquestionably sophisticated and undeniably feminine which is evident in its slightly bowed top adorned with dis- tinctive and pretty brass studs.With its 12.5cm drop rolled handles and a detach- able 48cm cross body/shoulder leather strap, the Joan Tote is ideal for when life demands you go hands free. Available in a classic line-up of black, blue, brown, red and burgundy colour choices, one is sure to find a shade to match their individual style. Featuring a large internal zip pocket and several slip pockets, this tote really has a place and the space for everything. However, if I had to choose between the two, I’d pick the Grace Tote. Its shape is to-die-for, perfectly chic and timeless, a true classic that will never go out of style. Also, the fact that it comes in one of the most beautifully rich crimson red shades I’ve ever seen outside of a nail polish or lipstick, well, I’m completely sold! With this collection, Brenda Macleod has proven she’s a savvy businesswoman. She had the demand, knew exactly what she wanted, but when she was unable to find the adequate supply, took it upon herself to produce not only what she needed but to also create something that could help others in their quest for the perfect leather bag. As we all go forth in our busy daily lives, it’s wonderful to know that one doesn’t have to painstakingly seek out both beautiful and functional accessories, but rather simply look to the Brenda Macleod collection for the perfect solution. www.brendamacleod.com Dawn Hunt reveals how Brenda Macleod turned her desire for a functional handbag into a thriving and growing brand. bite bags