Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Lewis.
Hi Jen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t set out to launch a fashion brand. I just saw a need and couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Back in 2011, I was working for a non-profit focused on sustainable solutions to poverty for the unhoused when I realized something that changed everything: the biggest impact I could see came from reliable, dignified work. Around the same time, I started paying closer attention to the fashion industry & how damaging fast fashion could be – not just environmentally, but in how it treated people.
That’s when I had the idea to start something small. I ordered a handful of fair-trade handbags from an artisan group in India, set up shop at local markets, & packed orders from the spare bedroom in my house. I was learning as I went, & slowly but surely, it started to grow. What began as a side project turned into something a way to show that fashion can be beautiful & ethical.
Today, Purse & Clutch partners with artisan teams in Ethiopia, India & Mexico to provide fair-wage, long-term jobs for incredibly talented makers. We’ve grown into a brand that offers seasonal collections, custom-branded pieces for boutiques, a robust non-profit fundraiser program, & we even host trips to Ethiopia so customers can connect directly with the people who make their bags.
At the heart of it all, I’m still driven by that original spark, wanting to create something meaningful, something that makes life better for everyone involved.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road, but a meaningful one! One of the biggest challenges has been figuring out how to run Purse & Clutch while caring for my growing family. There have been seasons where I was up late packing orders with a baby monitor nearby, or trying to sneak in design meetings during nap time. As any working parent knows, there’s no perfect balance, just constant recalibration.
Another major challenge has been scaling in a way that stays true to our mission. It would have been easier at times to cut corners or chase trends, but I’ve been determined to build slowly & intentionally, keeping our artisan partnerships at the center of every decision. That means turning down opportunities that don’t align & being okay with growing at our own pace. It’s taken creativity & a lot of trust in our process, in our partners, & in our customers who believe in what we’re doing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Purse & Clutch, we design & produce small-batch leather handbags & accessories that are as ethically made as they are beautiful. We specialize in partnering directly with leather workshops around the world to create consistent, fair-wage employment through long-term, relationship-based production. Every item is handcrafted & tells a story—not just of style, but of impact.
We’re known for timeless, practical designs made with high-quality materials, but what really sets us apart is our commitment to ethical manufacturing at every level. We’re a certified B Corp, which means we meet high standards for social & environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Whether we’re launching a new seasonal collection, collaborating with a boutique on a custom-branded line, or helping a non-profit raise funds through a special release, our goal is always the same: to prove that fashion & business can be done differently.
What I’m most proud of is the deep trust we’ve built with our artisan partners. We’ve worked with some of the same teams for nearly a decade, & it’s a true collaboration because we grow together. I’m also proud that we’ve been able to grow slowly & intentionally, offering an alternative to fast fashion that prioritizes people at every level of the organization.
Our customers come to us for beautifully made bags, but they stay because they believe in what we’re building: a better way forward for fashion, rooted in impact, transparency, & thoughtful design.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that surprises most people when they get to know me is that I have a degree in Chemistry & before I started Purse & Clutch, I taught high school chemistry in Honduras. Right after college, I moved there to work with students at an American school, & it was one of the most formative experiences of my life. It sparked my passion for global connection & deepened my understanding of how access to education & opportunity can change lives.
While chemistry & handbags may seem worlds apart, that background actually shaped the way I approach business! It taught me to be curious, process-oriented, & to always look for creative solutions. It also instilled in me a deep respect for craft & for the hands-on work that goes into making something from start to finish.
In many ways, what I’m doing now is still about teaching, connecting, & building bridges across cultures, just through a very different medium!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.purseandclutch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purseandclutch
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purseandclutch
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenlewis/
- Other: https://www.fromsketchtoproduct.com
Image Credits
Brooke Bryand
Caly Rodriguis
Jen Lewis
