*Photos by Liz Silvia

This series has covered mostly big-picture production thus far, but right now we’re zooming in on the little details that make our bags amazing—handles, locks, zippers, monograms, and more. Today we’re taking a closer look at handles.

We need them to carry our bags around. We need them to be comfortable in our hands, while still functional. We need them to be strong and secure as they are the assurance between us and our belongings. True to form at Lotuff, every design detail is deliberate. No rivet is placed or stitch sewn without a determined purpose. One such element are the various handle styles that are used for our bags.

First, we’ll look at the folded handles. Strong and sturdy with a hand-feel designed for pure comfort, they grace our beloved Working Tote, duffles of all sizes and styles, and our petite but powerful One-Piece. This handle is typically used on our larger bags because of the weight it can support. However, for the One-Piece it’s utilized to give structure and strength to what is, truly, made of just one piece of leather! The construction of the fold is done without any cardboard fillers or plastic tubing to give it shape. Instead, eight layers of skived leather are assembled as one piece and stitched to ensure a handgrip that will mold to your person as it’s used.

Our No. 12 Tote and Knot Handbag handles are a slimmer, smart style that can be carried either in-hand or on-shoulder, giving crucial flexibility on-the-go. The No. 12 Tote was modeled after our Triumph Briefcase, which has the folded handle, but is designed to have a more sleek, feminine appearance. When filled with everything needed for a day at the office, this tote is très chic as it can be carried by hand, draped on the arm, or elegantly and comfortably thrown over the shoulder. The Lock Box has a similar top handle that is the ultimate in well-thought-out design, appealing intuitively to its carrier’s needs and ease of use.

I love knowing the reasoning behind design choices, and am thrilled with the privilege of seeing first-hand the brilliant process of our creative team here in the studio. I almost can’t even handle it.