Thanks to my previous employment at Holt Renfrew (where I received a generous staff discount) and thanks to my very sweet Evan (who doesn’t hesitate to shop YSL), I am lucky enough to own more than a few designer handbags.
I love them all, but found that I was still searching for a really functional everyday bag: one that was roomy but not cumbersome; practical but not boring; great-looking but not precious. I also wanted something more mindful – ideally, a bag that was made ethically and made in Canada.
My burgundy Jocko handbag and Silo scarf.
A bit of online sleuthing led me to UncaLux (its name is a combo of the words “Uniquely Canadian Luxury”). It is a Montreal-based company that specializes in handcrafted handbags and was founded by husband-and-wife team Shaun Harrison and Joanne Tenold. An economic downturn in 2018 forced the couple to revaluate their corporate careers and inspired them to launch this very special brand.
“I wanted to create pieces that were not only beautiful, but sacrificed nothing in terms of being practical and functional,” says Joanne. “I am the creator and designer and Shaun is the photographer – his photographic art is actually printed on our scarves.”
The Maxine Max in marine blue.
That’s the other thing I discovered while looking at their bags: they make the most incredible oversized silk scarves and some actually depict moments in Canadian history. “It’s true!” says Joanne. “Our History Makers Collection celebrates the founders of Montreal, while the Industrial Collection showcases abandoned industries around Montreal’s Old Port.”
My Silo scarf - even just hanging on the wall, it looks fabulous.
I love how light, yet warm the scarves are and their endless styling possibilities, from a long and loose rocker look to a chic Euro, multi wrap around the neck. They look great on guys too.
A team of Montreal-based artisans crafts every UncaLux design and each bag, from initial idea to finished product, takes at least two months to create. The colours are compelling too and for once I didn’t default to black, opting instead for a rich burgundy in the most tactile pebbled leather.
“Our colours and materials take a lot of research,” says Joanne. “We let our suppliers know specifically what we’re looking for and they provide it, which does mean, fortunately or unfortunately, that our colours and textures can be limited.”
Joanne also conceptualizes the functionality of each bag: how it falls on the body, feels in the hand, how it should limit what we carry and corral essentials only. She says, “The bag should hold what we need, not what we think we need.”
I think everyone needs to check out UncaLux: the scarves are gorgeous and the bags are a beautiful investment that just get better with age.
So, I have found my new everyday bag and I take great pleasure in knowing that it is handmade, right here in Canada (sorry YSL).
