Abury
Abury combine tradition with old world crafts to create a collection of bags, purses, totes, backpacks and clutches, that foster intercultural exchange and preserves global crafts.
Lulea
Founded by award-winning, internationally acclaimed premium leather and accessories designer, Edmond Chesneau, Lulea is an enterprise for social impact which specializes in training Kenyans as master leather craftsmen, to create luxury leather goods of outstanding quality for the global market.
The Lulea story began in 2011 when Edmond Chesneau travelled to Nairobi from Ireland, to teach a master class in design and leather craft techniques. It was a life changing experience that inspired the establishment of Lulea, and a training and production center in Kenya. Under Chesneau’s personal tuition, a small sample collection of luxury bags were developed by Kenyan workers.
The founding of Lulea’s ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Thika, South West Nairobi, addresses some of the most pressing barriers to quality production in Africa. By acquiring the specialized machinery necessary to run a fully functioning workshop, Lulea are able to overcome the expected lack of consistent and sustained quality training in craftsmanship in Africa, which often results in being trapped in a low income cycle. With the intent of growing the ”Centre of Excellence” to over 1,000 well-paid trainees and employees within 10 years, will allow Lulea to affect the lives of over 10,000 family members from disadvantaged backgrounds. Thereby breaking the cycle of negative perception around “Made in Africa”.
In collaboration with Rudolf Heltzel, Edmond Chesneau introduced an exquisite range of minaudieres designed and made in collaboration with Rudolf Heltzel gold and silversmiths. The sophisticated box cases are made with exotic leathers in brilliant colors, each one individually constructed by hand at Sellerie Maroquinerie atelier, Paris and embellished with silver and gemstones by Rudolf Heltzel silversmiths. All bag sales support the Lulea project for a centre of excellence in Nairobi, Kenya.
The design concept for the Kenyan collection, is a delicate balance between luxury, design and the use of the best possible raw materials while taking into account the talents of the trainee Kenyan workforce. The silhouettes and construction are simple but elegant, the look is sophisticated and timeless.
The French-born master craftsman Edmond Chesneau began his career in Ireland as a designer under the tuition of a former master craftsman from internationally-renowned luxury leather goods house, Hermes. With over 35 years of experience working as a design expert in leather goods, Chesneau has successfully coached workforces in Ireland and Asia. The Chesneau brand established itself as a premier luxury leather goods fashion house, wining multiple accolades and awards.
Website: www.luleabychesneau.com
