At Lakeland Leather, every handbag begins with a story. Behind each design is careful thought about craftsmanship, lifestyle and the details that make a bag both beautiful and practical.

We sat down with our Product Director Hayley Rock, who has been with Lakeland Leather for nearly 20 years, about her design process, the inspiration she finds in the Lake District, and the thinking behind three standout styles from the latest collection: The Santon, The Mirehouse Sling and The Dalston.

Designing with Purpose

Can you tell us about your role and the design process behind a Lakeland Leather handbag?

My role ultimately is to ensure that every product we sell sits firmly within our brand DNA. Everything we design must reflect our commitment to quality, craftsmanship and value — creating pieces that feel exceptional for the price and stand the test of time.

We begin the design process around 12 months ahead of launch — in fact, we’re already working on Spring/Summer 2027. At the early stages we review trend information and catwalk shows to understand emerging shapes, silhouettes, colours and leather finishes.

While these insights guide us, we’re very careful not to copy. Lakeland Leather isn’t about recreating designer bags. Instead, we design within our own brand guidelines, ensuring every piece feels authentic to us.

From there, we focus on the customer and how the bag will be used. We sketch initial concepts, select materials and hardware, and produce technical packs for our factories to create the first prototype sample.

Once the first sample arrives, we critique everything, strap length, pocket functionality, the size and proportions of the bag. Even the hardware finish can elevate a design, so every detail is considered carefully.

Inspired by the Lake District

What inspires you when designing a new collection?

I’m lucky to have so much inspiration around me here in the Lake District. The colours in nature, the flora and fauna throughout the seasons, and the landscape itself all influence our collections.

Even something as simple as driving from Windermere to Ambleside in spring or autumn can spark ideas the ever changing colours are incredible. The textures of the fells and the natural stone in the area also influence the leather finishes we choose and the grain patterns that appear in our collections.

Of course we stay informed by looking at the catwalks too, particularly when it comes to shapes and materials, but our lifestyle here in the Lakes; relaxed, practical and connected to nature always plays a big part in our design thinking.

Balancing Classic Style with Modern Design

Lakeland Leather has such a strong heritage in craftsmanship. How do you keep designs modern while remaining timeless?

We always aim for a look that feels modern yet ageless.

Colour is a huge factor in this. Choosing tones that have longevity helps create pieces customers can carry for years. We also focus heavily on form and function, a bag should look beautiful but it also needs purpose and practicality.

If we can create something that looks great, works well and lasts, then we know we’ve succeeded.

Designing with the Customer in Mind

What are the key things you consider when designing a handbag for Lakeland Leather customers?

The starting point is always the customer and how they’ll use the bag.

Functionality is key. It needs to work in everyday life, with practical pockets and durable materials that will stand up to daily wear.

We’re also very particular about our leather. Some brands use heavily pigmented finishes that can lose the natural leather look. That’s not us. We want our leathers to look authentic and develop character over time a well-made handbag should only get better with age.

Of course, the bag also needs to feel stylish and modern.

Spotlight on the Collection

The Santon Collection

The Santon is one of the most distinctive styles in the new range, crafted in beautifully soft suede with a relaxed silhouette.

What makes the Santon special?

I absolutely love the soft, relaxed feel of these bags. Suede is very on trend at the moment, and the colours we’ve chosen — soft stone and green tones — are subtle and incredibly versatile. They work with so many different outfits.

Who did you design it for?

The two styles in the Santon collection are perfect for work-to-weekend wear.

Personally, I love a big bag for work where I can carry everything I need. But I’ll always keep a smaller crossbody bag inside for easy access to essentials like my phone, purse and cards. The larger slouch bag is great for the office, holidays or everyday use, while the smaller crossbody transitions easily into the weekend or sightseeing.

You can even tuck the adjustable strap inside and carry it as a pouch-style clutch for the evening, which makes it incredibly versatile.

One of my favourite design details is that the Santon is unlined. We wanted to keep the relaxed feel, and the suede is such exceptional quality that it’s lovely to see both sides of it. It also includes a clip-in pouch, perfect for keeping everyday essentials within easy reach.

The Mirehouse Collection

The Mirehouse Sling offers a more contemporary take on everyday bags, combining practicality with subtle design detail.

What inspired the design?

The woven suede panelling actually came from an idea I had while out walking. I noticed the zig-zag pattern of a pathway, and that sparked the idea for the design.

Neutral colours keep the bag versatile and easy to wear with almost anything, while still feeling premium.

Why is it so practical for everyday wear?

The adjustable strap means it can be worn over the shoulder or across the body for a more contemporary look. The zip fastening keeps everything secure while still allowing hands-free movement, which is ideal whether you’re walking the dog or popping to the shops.

The Dalston Collection

For those looking for a more polished look, the Dalston brings timeless style with modern detailing.

What makes the Dalston so versatile?

The pebble-effect leather in black and tan creates a really timeless appearance, but the shapes themselves feel modern and contemporary.

The gold hardware featuring our skins icon adds a distinctive finishing touch and elevates the design, giving it a unique and desirable feel.

It’s a bag that works beautifully for more formal settings while still feeling relevant and stylish.

Materials and Craftsmanship

How do you choose the right leather for each design?

It always comes back to how the bag will be used.

If a bag is designed for a more formal look, we tend to use smoother leather finishes. For more casual styles, we choose leathers where the natural grain pattern is visible, giving an authentic and relaxed feel.

The material should always complement the purpose of the bag.

A Designer’s Favourite

What do you hope customers feel when they carry one of these bags?

I hope they absolutely love it and feel a sense of pride in owning something that’s thoughtfully designed and not mass produced.

If you had to describe the collection in three words?

Modern. Unique. Inspired.