Our Story
Each Uptown Common bag design begins as a study in structure and architectural design while recalling the clean lines of minimalism and the timelessness of vintage fashion. Because we plan for the pieces to last for generations, the strength and natural nature of leather is also taken into consideration. The result is a bag where Grant's unmistakable brilliance with leather creates pieces that enhance the wearer's personal style and evolve as they move about their life.
The time invested in each piece is uncommon, but crucial to Grant's way of working with leather. Cutting, sewing and installing hardware are all done by hand without the use of machines ensuring that his hands are intimately involved in every step of the process. In addition, he uses only the best materials he can find - vegetable-tanned leather sourced from Italy and the United States, hardware made of solid brass or stainless steel and thread specifically designed for hand sewing.
Uptown Common is intentionally a low production brand. We believe that the pieces we carry and incorporate into our fashion repertoire should be highly considered, distinctive, and carefully created to last. To speed up the process for the sake of the bottom line means that quality and uniqueness must be sacrificed. That is a sacrifice we are unwilling to make.
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THE HISTORY OF UPTOWN COMMON
Working for ourselves had always been our dream. We discussed it for years and years (actually about 15 years!) until it 'accidently' happened in 2019 when Jennifer taught herself to make a macrame plant hanger. About 8 weeks later she was selling her items at artisan markets and Uptown Common was born! In early 2020, Grant began working with leather and added a small selection of wallets, notebooks, and keychains to our product line that Jennifer continued selling at artisan markets while he was working weekends in e-commerce.
Grant became interested in leather goods after he purchased a premium leather bag in 2015, only to later learn that the materials used were substandard. Knowing that there were better quality materials available, he began making his own leather products, building relationships with great suppliers and learning the intricate details of handcrafted leather goods. From the start, his goal was to make leather bags and briefcases using the best materials and time-honored techniques of leather workers.
In the middle of 2023, we made the decision to create another turn in our story as we observed trends. We understood that macrame got us to this point, but it wasn't meant to take us into the future, so we discontinued macrame and now fully focus on leather goods. Over the years our leather goods line up has expanded to include belts, clutches, shoulder bags, hand bags and briefcases. And, we have remained committed to sewing every piece by hand (literally!).
We are so grateful to have this opportunity. All the glory belongs to God!
