A Taylor bag is a full leather tote (15” by 16”) made to last. It is handmade from full grain vegetable tanned leather that’s about as thick as a nickel, finished with local Manitoba beeswax and sewn together by hand using heavy gauge nylon string. It was designed without any metal hardware that might break or fabric lining that might tear, but still has four large inside pockets (8“ wide by 9” deep) big enough for cell phones, tablet computers, or a pair of flats. Its full leather construction ensures this bag will not ‘wear out’ but rather ‘wear in’ like the working leathers that inspired it. Years from now, your Taylor bag will tell the stories you’ve collected together thru the scars & wrinkles that only a quality leather product can display with pride & grace.
"An item made to last is the most sustainable."
Adan Ballou
An Adan Ballou leather bag merges bespoke craftsmanship with the rugged minimalism of vintage leather accessories. Each bag is an example of precise attention to details applied with handmade care.
Handmade on the Great Plains of Canada, each bag expresses reverence for the material it is made with. An accessory made to be beautiful when well used pays tribute to the animal it came from. Crafted from environmentally conscious materials and sustainable because it’s made to last.
Materials&
Process
Full Grained Vegetable Tanned Leather
We use vegetable tanned leather because it is a material that is closest to what an Adan Ballou Bag expresses. Full grain is the strongest and we use a 3 ounce weight that is as thick as a nickle. Generations have chosen vegetable tanned “boot” leather for its durability. Its longevity is as valued as its ability to personalize itself to the way you use it. Its smell is coveted in luxury boutiques. For these reasons bespoke handbag makers choose it for their heritage designs. An item crafted with care from this material will last for generations.
Natural Glues & Dyes
We use only sustainable, water based glues, edge paints & dyes. The chemicals they contain do not affect the environment like those found in alcohol or petroleum based colours.
Our ‘Iron Black’ dye is made “In House” using and old cowboy recipe called ‘Vingaroon’. A combination or vinegar and iron is aged. When applied to vegetable tanned leather it reacts to the tannins in the leather and turns the leather black. Another heritage method Adan uses to create his designs.
Hemp Canvas Lining
Hemp fibre is one the strongest and most durable of all natural textile fibres. Like leather, it gets softer with use. When cared for, neither wears out, they wear in. Hemp naturally resists mould and ultraviolet light. For its many qualities and the way it harmonizes with leather, Adan Ballou uses hemp canvas to line his designs.
Solid Bronze Findings
Cast in Sand
Adan Ballou uses an ancient sand casting method to create all his metal hardware. All metal findings are cast solid from recycled scrap brass and copper. The strongest hardware is always cast solid and the bronze gains a beautiful patina over time and use. Each bronze piece is individually cast to add another dimension of handmade care.
Bees Wax Treatment
Adan Ballou applies a house blend of local beeswax and essential oils to each item. This brings out the patina that vegetable tanned l eather will naturall y develop. Worked into the leather by hand, it protects the leather from stains and conditions it for durability. It also enhances the smell that only quality leather has.
About
Adan Ballou
Adan Ballou lives on a small farm in rural Manitoba, Canada. Here, he is able to continually research ways to use natural resources and sustainable methods to create his accessories. He makes each item entirely by hand using a blend of traditional & couture techniques.
WINNER of the 2016 Abury Design Experience. Abury provided the experience of designing a collection with leather smithers in Morocco. During this opportunity, he create the “Windows & Doorways” Collection.
