Born in Chicago — Between Tradition and the Craft of Leather
James Andrew was born in 1956 in the heart of Chicago — a city where timeworn streets, brick workshops, and old-world values have shaped generations of makers.
As a boy, James grew up in the scent of leather and the rhythm of hand tools striking the workbench.
His father owned a modest but respected leather shop tucked between barbershops and bookstores. It was there James first learned what it meant to create something built to
Love of Leather — Quietly Grown, Deeply Rooted
Although his parents hoped he’d choose a more stable path, James was always drawn to the back of the shop — to the worn bench and the scent of leather.
While other boys played ball in the streets, he spent his afternoons threading needles, cutting patterns, and quietly watching as rough hides were transformed into beautiful, functional bags.
Those quiet hours never left him.
They didn’t just teach him a skill — they gave him a calling.
