What’s your Kipling monkey called?

Confused? Then you can’t have yet encountered the wonderful world of Kipling bags, each complete with their furry keyring monkeys. Named after various Kipling employees, these cute little creatures are unique to their bag colour, of which there have been – over the seasons – almost too many to count! With our most recent delivery, we welcome pretty little Thalita (who hangs out on the Lilac Orchid bags) and effortlessly cool Daya (last seen swinging from the Denim Blues) to the tribe.

Say hello!

Kipling Gracy in Lilac Orchid and Kipling Defea in Denim Blue

Also causing a bit of a stir in the Kipling department is this year’s Summer Stripe print, with its luscious jungle-esque mix ‘n’ match tones. Its cheeky turquoise monkey Rune is having a blast with all the customers who’ve been trying these bags on… featuring practically every colour in its stripe, they go with pretty much any outfit. Perfect for all those bright, fresh summer clothes to come.

Kipling Alvar in Summer Stripe

Head to our website to see the full range of bags, purses, luggage and travel accessories, and get some Kipling colour into your summer!

A recent addition to the Friends for Leather luggage department, Cuties and Pals have made themselves right at home. Despite their jungle, arctic, farmyard and even prehistoric origins, they’re getting along smashingly with each other, and even better with the endless stream of children who’ve seen them in our window and come in to say “Hi!”

Cuties and Pals make friends

Made from a high gloss ABS / polycarbonated mix, the Cuties cases and backpacks have a protective hard shell finish, but are still light enough to pass any airline restrictions with flying colours! Perhaps even more crucially, the Cuties are designed to be light and small enough for kids to carry themselves (no more lugging around double the luggage, mums and dads!). Their comfy straps, easy handles and featherweight structure mean there’s no excuse… not that there will be, of course – it seems Chico’s cheeky face or Cazbi’s big wide grin have proven positively irresistible to all in the single-figure age range (not to mention a good fair few in the double-figure region!).

Some of you may have already met the initial members of the Cuties gang – I know a lot of lucky little ‘uns out there got one for Christmas! – but in the last few weeks, we’ve welcomed three brand new faces into the fold. Straight from the farm, we’d like to introduce…

Pookie the Pig                          Chico the Chick                      … and Polka the Ladybird

Just in time for the Easter holidays!

Not only do they look adorable, but they’re pretty handy inside too! The backpacks sport a useful elasticated pocket within, for valuable organisation, and optional velcro-able side gussets to keep everything in place. The larger trolley case comes with clippable garment straps and a full size zip pocket – perfect for securing those bits and bobs you simply can’t leave behind! Let the Cuties and Pals join you on holiday this year… the little critters will have a blast (and so will their new cases)!

A. It might well be if you can choose one!

For those of you fussy about your coin compartments, card slots, plastic windows and pen loops, look no further! You know that ideal purse you’ve had in your mind all this time… the one you wish you had every time your current one just doesn’t have that section you know would make it perfect? No doubt Mywalit have designed it, made it and sent it to us in every one of their glorious colour variations.

Mywalit: a world of colour

Who could resist their multi-coloured palettes and perfectly matched contrast stitching, when they give these rainbow masterpieces names like Chocolate Mousse and Bombay Lime? And that’s even before you feel the softness of their leather and the quality of their zips and stitching!

One of our bestsellers has got to be the Mywalit 250, a compact double flap purse wallet with all the features you could want or need!

Mywalit 250 in Chocolate Mousse

Its secret is in the layering: the outer compartment houses plenty of room for cards, notes, ID passes, receipts, stamps, you name it (not forgetting that ever-handy miniature pen!). But lift the press stud of that second layer to find a spacious coin section, with another slip pocket AND an extra zip pocket for… well, anything you want to use them for! And if you still need more room for your money (or your life!), turn it over to find yet another zip section on the back! All within a mere 13cm… magic!

If, at this point, you’re thinking “I’m one of those lucky ones whose purse is practically perfect in every way” (bravo!), it’s probably worth mentioning that Mywalit don’t only make wallets! How about a pencil case or a passport cover? Maybe you could do with a travel pass holder or a handy little key purse? No? Well how about a bag then?

Mywalit Bowling Bag in Black Pace

Take your pick!

Whether it’s a backpack, messenger or travel case, these bags mean business! We’ve sold Knomo for a few years now, and they never cease to be in fervent demand! Providing lightweight but stylish designs, with plenty of organisational pockets and pouches, taking your work on the go has never been so attractive!

Our best-selling Knomo product is almost certainly the iconic leather Bungo laptop messenger. With its padded laptop section, heavy-duty shoulder strap and multitude of pockets, the Bungo comes with an integrated “smart sleeve” option, for securing to trolley case handles. Available in Black or Brown, and for 15″ or 17″ laptops, there’s a Bungo for everyone!

Knomo Bungo 15 inch Expanding Laptop Messenger Bag

We’re also totally in love (as are our customers!) with Knomo’s quilted business range for women. The Serra work trolley has proven a particular favourite, together with its matching Stella backpack. Super lightweight, padded and waterproof, both are spacious yet cleverly compact, fitting all your work/travel essentials in all the right places.

Knomo Serra Laptop Trolley Case and Stella Laptop Backpack

Workwear need never be dull again!

Katherine @ Friends for Leather

Whether you’re heading in search of sun or snow this winter, make sure you trust your luggage to get your swimwear/skiwear there safely…

With its gargantuan range of cases, backpacks, duffle bags and more, we’re proud stockists of all things Samsonite, and we’re not afraid to shout its praises from the rooftops (or at least, from our shop’s little mezzanine office here)

Neither is anyone shy about admitting a soft spot for their Cosmolite range (though these particular cases are by no means soft in any sense!) Created using an innovative woven layering technique, Samsonite’s breakthrough in thermoplastic technology make these shell-like cases the lightest yet strongest we’ve ever seen!

Samsonite Cosmolite Spinner Cases (available sizes: 55, 68, 74, 85; available colours: Silver, Violet, Black, Red)

Rumour has it you can drive a truck over one and it’ll survive unharmed, happy as a clam. [This fact is a particular favourite with the male staff here at Friends... there's just something about big vehicle stories they apparently can't resist!]

Happy holidays!

Katherine @ Friends for Leather