Collection: Purse & Clutch

Woman-Owned | Certified B Corp | Fair-Trade Handbags from Ethiopia & Guatemala

Purse & Clutch was founded in 2011 by Jen Lewis with a straightforward mission: connect talented artisans with a market in the U.S. and help end the cycle of poverty through dignified employment. Growing up hearing stories of West Africa from her Nigerian-born father, Jen always knew she wanted to bridge the gap between needs and resources—and discovered that ethical fashion could do exactly that.

Working directly with smaller artisan groups in Ethiopia, Mexico, and Guatemala, Purse & Clutch creates thoughtfully designed handbags that honor both the maker and the craft. Every piece is slowly handcrafted using high-quality handwoven cotton textiles and durable leather, taking days to complete from start to finish. Jen personally knows the names of the men and women creating each bag, maintaining long-term relationships built on transparency, fair wages, and mutual respect.

Their model ensures artisans never bear production risk: Purse & Clutch purchases raw materials upfront and pays mutually agreed-upon fair wages so artisan partners can count on consistent paychecks to support their families. As a proud member of the Nest Guild—a global network of 2,600+ handcraft enterprises—and now a Certified B Corp, Purse & Clutch proves that good fashion is as much about the maker as the finished product. Every purchase creates sustainable, long-term employment for men and women with limited opportunities, transforming lives one beautifully crafted handbag at a time.