Do Tariffs Affect Us?

Short answer: Yes. And here’s why it matters.

There’s a common misconception that Made in the USA means we’re untouched by tariffs. After all, we’re a small business. We design, handcraft, and ship all of our bags right here in Chicago. So tariffs? Not our problem, right?

If only.

While we do proudly produce everything locally, the raw materials that go into our bags - the buttery Italian and South American leathers, the smooth Japanese YKK zippers, and even some of our signature hardware - are imported. And while we purchase all of these through U.S.-based businesses, they still have to pass those tariff costs on to us.

That means every new trade policy or tariff hike affects our bottom line - and right now, those impacts are real enough that we’ve hit pause on production. We're currently taking a step back to reassess how these changes will affect our costs and whether we need to make adjustments - not to our quality, but to how we move forward.

It’s frustrating, honestly. Because we've always done things differently - choosing to stay small, to produce ethically, and to pay fair wages to the skilled craftspeople who bring your bags to life. These aren’t decisions made lightly. They’re part of what makes our bags special… and sustainable in the truest sense of the word.

So why share this?

Because we know you care about where and how things are made. You care about supporting brands with integrity. And while we weather this storm, we just wanted to pull back the curtain and say: yes, tariffs affect us - and by extension, you.

Thank you for sticking with us. You’re not just buying a bag - you’re backing a whole system built on values, not volume.

So while we’ve hit pause on full production, we’re not sitting still. I’m focusing on a limited run of small leather goods using the beautiful materials we already have on hand. Because quantities will be very limited, these pieces will be offered exclusively to our VIP Club members - as a heartfelt thank-you for being part of our inner circle.

I’m also using this time to dream up new pieces you’ve been asking for - like an eyeglass case, a sleek passport wallet (because those new flying regulations are no joke), a men’s/unisex wallet for the holidays, and more. These moments of pause often spark the best ideas. Fingers crossed these new designs launch this fall - if all goes well.

Truly - thank you for being here. For supporting a small business that chooses integrity over shortcuts. For caring how your goods are made, and who’s behind them. I’m so grateful for your continued support - and I can’t wait to show you what’s next.

— Brynn 💛