Favorite British Bits - Q&A with The Cambridge Satchel Company: Julie Deane

No other accessory epitomizes British fashion and serves as a fashion blogger badge of honor than the Cambridge Satchel. The charming leather satchels you've seen worn by your favorite celebs and fashion bloggers has taken over as the official "it" bag to have - And I want in!

And since I love anything related to British culture, I jumped at the chance to interview the woman who kick started the hottest handbag revolution - Julie Deane. The story of how the Cambridge Satchel Company came to be is truly inspiring. Check out how Julie started the business, and what's to come from this amazing company!

House Of Jeffers: I love how the company is located in the UK, and keeping with the tradition, is manufactured there, too. What is it about the satchel that makes it so British?
Julie Deane: The style of the Cambridge Satchel is based on the traditional British schoolbag, worn by UK schoolchildren throughout the 60s and 70s, Cambridge Satchel builds on that tradition by manufacturing the satchels in an equally traditional way - we employ British craftsmen and women whose skills are now being passed along as we expand our workforce. The team here has a real passion for our product, when we are featured in articles and blogs we share the news with everyone and the sense of pride is tremendous.

HOJ: To me, the Cambridge Satchel represents a rich British heritage - something that's important to me as my extended family lives in Poole. What does the Cambridge Satchel represent to you?
JD: The business was started from my kitchen table just four years ago - to me it is the embodiment of a dream - the dream to create a business that would allow me to send my children to a school where they could thrive, then it became more than that - a place where people could work and enjoy a happy environment filled with excitement and the passion that comes from building a brand based on an ethical approach. No taking the easy route of manufacturing overseas, no stealing of other peoples ideas, treating the team and our suppliers fairly and listening to the customers who have formed such a strong fan base, listening to what new colours they would like, new styles, causes to support. This isn't a corporate atmosphere - my mother is here working with me every day, the children often drop in (as do those of others here), my dog Rupert saunters around the office being fussed over.

HOJ: Where there any other types of bags/designs that you almost went with instead of a satchel?
JD: No, I couldn't find a satchel for my children and thought it was ridiculous that they had fallen from grace - it's Britain, if you can't find a leather school satchel here then things have gone to the dogs!
 

Cambridge Satchel Co's Julie Deane, and her mother, Freda.

HOJ: Being a company based out of the UK, did you have aspirations to venture in the U.S. when you first started out?

JD: The U.S. has been a natural progression - my husband is American and the children have dual nationality. Kevin and I were married in the States and lived there for the first five years of our marriage (just about to celebrate our 21st anniversary…) Having lived there I felt I understood the market better and we are delighted that the reaction has been so enthusiastic.

HOJ: About how long, from start to finish, does it take to make each satchel?

JD: We can make one in about half an hour - each stage has a different skill attached - from the inspection of the leather when it first arrives, through the cutting of the pieces, the marking, the embossing, the sewing and the rivets - it's an involved process and there are lots of quality checks along the way.

HOJ: The satchel has become a staple among fashion bloggers and celebs across the globe. What are you thoughts on the Cambridge Satchel becoming an "icon" in the fashion industry?

JD: Everyone at The Cambridge Satchel Company feels a real thrill when we hear of a celebrity or a blogger carrying one of our bags - it's amazing how we have been noticed by fashion houses like Comme des Garcons, editors from Vogue and Teen Vogue... There has been such a warm embracing of our brand. I think the story behind the brand has captured the imagination of everyone and that's very important to us as the message is such a positive one and hopefully an inspirational one, too.

HOJ: You continue to evolve with fashion trends and times - including neon, pastels and with your collaborations. What can we expect for Fall?

JD: There are some very exciting new projects - three new collaborations, a new bag and some new colour collections - and just watch our website - something special on the way on that front, too.