Author Archives: Lindy McDonough

Bridle Collection

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Our Bridle Collection – Crafted by hand in New England

We’ve spent the past two years searching globally for the best vegetable-tanned and fully struck-through bridle leather, sampling hides from around the world. After selecting only the best leather we could find, we took some of our most popular styles along with some new designs and crafted a truly unrivaled collection.

All of our bridal pieces are incredibly smooth, strong, and handsome. The very nature of the bridle leather allows each bag to stand up on its own – no slouching and no leaning. With each day, a bridle leather Lotuff bag will take on a form of its own - developing a unique character, patina, and look. It’s a traditional collection meant to last for years.

Shop our bridle collection here.

The Zipper Satchel No. 9 - Men's Wear Influencing Women's Wear

by | Posted in Uncategorized | by Lindy McDonough
The Zipper Satchel #9

At Lotuff Leather, our goal is to make the finest ‘Made in America’ men’s leather goods available. We are seekers of the fine and the unique. We cut no corners and spare no expense all the name of creating products that will enhance your life. We’ve come to be known as having no exterior logos, using only the finest vegetable-tanned leather and solid-brass hardware, and designing our bags to be serviced and cared for over the years.

We set off a year ago to make a women’s bag that fit into our core aesthetic – a true women’s bag influenced by our tradition of excellence in men’s wear.

We wanted to create a timeless yet interesting shape. So we drew inspiration from the boys and used the golden ratio of proportion with a slight lengthening, resulting in a slightly thinner and taller silhouette. The bag needed to be structural yet soft, so we chose to fully leather line it with the same quality leather both inside and out. This allows for the bag to stand tall and not slouch over time, yet it stays soft and supple to the touch.

The making of the first Zipper Satchel #9

We wanted the bag to effortlessly transition from casual to formal situations, with a direct influence coming from great women who have the effortless ‘dressing down’ routine to a science.

Trends are often visibly represented in hardware, which can date the bag. So we just stripped the hardware down to only the essential. The hunter green color was influenced by our favorite iconic waxed-cotton jacket, and the hand-braided tassel was inspired by a riding crop for distinction.

This bag is a game changer and sets the bar quite high for quality. After all, quality needs to be expected for a domestically manufactured bag.

To see more about the Zipper Satchel #9, visit www.lotuffleather.com

 

The Workshop

by | Posted in American Craftsman, Let L&C tell your Story | by Lindy McDonough

A look into the workshop last week.

"The English Briefcase"

A Lotuff English Briefcase about to ship out of the workshop.

Lotuff Pattern Maker

Final patterns being hand drafted for a new bag, then the pattern is sent off make dies.

Lotuff Leather Logo for and interior pocketLotuff Leather Made in the USA. Lotuff logo being stamped and inspected to ensure that it is square.

Joe working with Lindy to finalize a few new shapes.

A new women's silhouette in the making.

Joe Lotuff inspecting the leather.

The workshop at the closing for the evening. See you tomorrow

 

photography by: Tre Cassetta

American Craftsman: Optimo Hats

by | Posted in American Craftsman | by Lindy McDonough

Bogart from “impossible cool”


“am I a hat person?”

I have found myself internalizing that question lately. Hats are like glasses, on some people they are invisible, if just right. They can look so natural and so effortless, like an extension to ones face. Hats are the same way, either it works or it doesn’t. What makes a person a “hat person,” why can some people pull it off and others can’t? Is it something like the shape of one’s face, or is it just a certain sense of self? The world seems to be full of hat people lately, with events such as the royal wedding, and the Derby, makes me contemplates the meaning and purpose of the hat, and the importance of finding the perfect one.

Southside of Chicago is deemed the “Hat Capital of the World,” and Optimo Hats is king. Optimo is a Chicago institution “one of the last remaining traditional hat shops in the world.” Current owner Graham Thompson started apprenticing in the hat shop when he was 16, learning the trade and taking over at the age of 22. He breathed new life into a business deeply rooted in tradition, without sacrificing the craft. “The hope is that these hats will be around for 50 years from now. It’s what a true Luxury product is, something that’s made properly.”

These hats have a true mark of craftsmanship, and the customer service to back it up. Proper measuring and fittings, consultation on the right hat to suit your lifestyle, and the construction is par none.

It’s refreshing to find young people who are taking the time to hone their craft, and appreciate things of quality. Items which can stand the test of time, and making an investment in the future. Next time I’m in Chicago this is where you will find me.

www.optimohats.com

American Craftsman: Alexander Olch

by | Posted in American Craftsman | by Lindy McDonough

 

Joe and I were traveling in New York this past week, and I commented about how he always likes to wear this particular navy tie, and asked why that is? The tie is a nice Bright navy  jacquard, with small golden yellow flowers. His response of course is that he likes it best, and that you really don’t need many ties, as long as you have the right one. So in the search of the “right one” I’m writing this morning about a wonderful American Tie Maker: Mr Alexander Olch. Mr. Olch is based on island of Manhattan, making ties which are unique because of their old world craftsmanship, yet relatable: if you’re lucky, your father passed down a couple ties like these, to you.

Signature styles include traditional Handmade Seersuckers, and the perfect Gingham bow tie, for the summer.

Bridging the generation gap with his look book photography.

As for finding the “right tie” I think this is it. (very similar I must say to Joe’s tie this weekend) The “Superfine English Repp Silk” jacquard ties, are traditional yet charming, and can go with any suit and with any shirt. Simple.

The Designer at work.

visit his site: www.olch.com