The Millthorpe is a small structured handbag with a beautifully uncomplicated silhouette, made entirely by hand from natural vegetable-tanned leather.
Left intentionally undyed, the leather is allowed to remain in its natural state rather than having its colour decided at the workbench. She has been finished with a nourishing leather balm to provide a degree of protection while still allowing the leather to do what it does best: age beautifully.
With sunlight, handling and everyday use, her pale natural tones will gradually deepen through honey and caramel, developing a rich patina entirely unique to the person who carries her.
While a natural finish may appear simpler, it is actually an unforgiving way to work with leather. Without dye to disguise variations or marks created during the making process, considerably more care is required throughout cutting, tooling, construction and finishing.
Traditional hand tooling travels across the front, handle and closure, with quieter detailing continuing around the reverse. Antiqued brass hardware complements the natural leather, including the individually riveted leather tabs that wrap around the sides and base of the bag.
A sculptural cut-out handle is built directly into the body, giving The Millthorpe her distinctive shape and making her an easy piece to carry by hand. Her wide tooled front detail is finished with the Rae & Rue maker’s mark.
Compact, structured and deliberately detailed, The Millthorpe is designed to become more beautiful with use. The leather you take home today will continue to change, deepen and tell the story of everywhere she goes.
One of one. Hand cut, hand tooled and handmade in Australia.
The Millthorpe is a small structured handbag with a beautifully uncomplicated silhouette, made entirely by hand from natural vegetable-tanned leather.
Left intentionally undyed, the leather is allowed to remain in its natural state rather than having its colour decided at the workbench. She has been finished with a nourishing leather balm to provide a degree of protection while still allowing the leather to do what it does best: age beautifully.
With sunlight, handling and everyday use, her pale natural tones will gradually deepen through honey and caramel, developing a rich patina entirely unique to the person who carries her.
While a natural finish may appear simpler, it is actually an unforgiving way to work with leather. Without dye to disguise variations or marks created during the making process, considerably more care is required throughout cutting, tooling, construction and finishing.
Traditional hand tooling travels across the front, handle and closure, with quieter detailing continuing around the reverse. Antiqued brass hardware complements the natural leather, including the individually riveted leather tabs that wrap around the sides and base of the bag.
A sculptural cut-out handle is built directly into the body, giving The Millthorpe her distinctive shape and making her an easy piece to carry by hand. Her wide tooled front detail is finished with the Rae & Rue maker’s mark.
Compact, structured and deliberately detailed, The Millthorpe is designed to become more beautiful with use. The leather you take home today will continue to change, deepen and tell the story of everywhere she goes.
One of one. Hand cut, hand tooled and handmade in Australia.
