Elegantly Simple Leather Bags & Accessories

It’s easy to spot a piece from the Sara Barner collection. Every bag, clutch, tote and wallet is eye-catching in its minimal design; an exercise in elegant proportions, obsessive detailing and clean, modern silhouettes. These “simple, bold shapes” as designer and creator Barner calls them, are all handmade with deep-hued, veg-tanned English Bridle leather elevating a use-everyday accessory into something that is enduring, coveted and classic.

The aim of the Sara Barner collection is timelessness; pieces that will be used for decades, materials that age beautifully as the years pass. This is true for the well-established line of leather goods as well as the newly evolving jewelry collection. Barner explains her ethos, “From the start my concept for the brand has been about simplicity and quality. Simplicity of a bold and functional form paired with true quality of materials and construction. With each design, I pare down and express the beauty of the essentials.”

To make these classic and essential designs in both leather and metal, Barner finds inspiration from traditional forms, but her work always pushes forward into fresh, unknown territory, “I don’t have a set plan for where I want the work to go. I just hope to always be inspired by what’s around me and to stay true to my own vision.” The singular truth of Barner’s creative searching is found in the cult following that the brand has garnered.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Sara Barner briefly studied architecture before moving to New York City to study jewelry and metalsmithing at Parsons School of Design. During her last year of school Barner went to work for a leather shop in the east village where she spent four years learning the craft. In 2007 Barner moved to Portland, OR where she established the Sara Barner collection, studio and label. The Sara Barner line of leather goods and jewelry is available in specialty stores across the country and in select locations internationally.

Every piece of the Sara Barner line is constructed using vegetable tanned English Bridle. This leather is full grain and drum dyed. Full grain is the most genuine type of leather as it retains all of the original texture and markings of the hide, allowing for best fiber strength and greater durability. You may notice small scratches appear on the leather upon first use. These marks will disappear with continued use and handling. English Bridle ages beautifully and will develop a natural patina over time. Slight variations in color and texture occur from skin to skin. This is a sign of quality, ensuring that every piece made will have its own unique character.