Fullum & Holt -- the 112-year-old leather manufacturer who has created leather goods and accessories for industry giants: Barneys, Saks, Fred Segal and Selfridges, to name a few, as well as for brands including John Varvatos, Ralph Lauren and Alexander Wang -- is launching a handbag line.

The company was commissioned back in 1914 to supply military belts and harnesses for the Canadian Armed Forces. But now, 95 years later, is taking on a much bigger challenge -- designing for today's woman.

Morgan Lackman, the 29-year-old Canadian Creative Director of Fullum & Holt, and third-generation of his family to run the company is embarking on bags. To-die-for, I-might-skip-paying-rent-for-one-of-these-bags-but-it'll-be-worth-it bags.

Lackman took a break to talk to StyleList and reveals his definition of a fashion icon, being over trends and a no-longer secret crush on Julia Roberts.


StyleList: What's your design process?

Morgan Lackman: This is top secret.

SL: What are your influences?

ML: I bring work home with me, so, I'm constantly talking to women about what they like and don't like about their bags. I'm driven by function as much as form, and influenced by the real bag aficionado -- the shopper. And I'm influenced as much by the taste that I like as the taste I despise. Our bags are light because in general bags are too heavy.

A bag is really an object of passion, the item that you keep all other must-have items in. So Fullum & Holt bags all feel amazing, as though the leather is melting when you touch it. Lastly, I'm trying to create a beautiful bag, not a beautiful brand -- so I don't try to drive the point home that the bag is from Fullum & Holt, I think that just comes naturally. I don't monogram or paste my logo anywhere, it's just not necessary.

SL: What qualities are important to include when designing a piece that a woman can use for more than one season/year?

ML: I think that anything beautifully thought out and well made will stand the test of time. If anyone is jumping on a trend, it's just that, a trend. And trends by their very definition pass. I'm always thinking about the object itself, not how it might fit into someone else's collection. I guess that's easier for me since I don't have clothing to think about – I have the luxury of really being able to focus on one category and hopefully create the perfect bag.

SL: Do you design with a certain woman in mind?

ML: Yes, the woman that would make my head turn. The woman that buys something because she loves it -- not because someone told her to love it. She's confident, loves a product that's unique and authentic. She's smart enough to buy something she can look good in everyday, something she can really use.

SL: What type of leather is used and how do you expect it to age?

ML: I use lambskin for most of the bags, which is unconventional. This gives the bags their light weight. I always use naked leathers with aniline dies, which means that you see the true nature of the hyde. Aniline is a transparent stain, the same that's used in film. And, yes, they age beautifully, especially the browns, though I admit, I have no browns in my collection right now because I thought it would be clichéd for Fullum & Holt since we're 112 years old.

SL: Who do you think is a fashion icon?

ML: When I think about fashion icons I think more about great actors more than designers. I guess because they pull everything off so well, like Paul Newman and Audrey Hepburn.

SL: Who do you most want to see carry one of your bags?
ML: Hmmm, I've always had a secret crush on Julia Roberts.

Fullum & Holt bags retail for $480 - $720 on FullumBoutique.com.