Hi, I’m Kate, the founder of RANE Leather Goods. I live on a small horse farm in Connecticut. I have had what some might call an obsession with fine leather bags for as long as I can remember.

I essentially wear a uniform outside of my studio. Depending on the season it is some iteration of the following: jeans, 100% cotton tee, cashmere pullover, the most wonderfully broken-in Fiorentini + Baker boots, sneakers or flip flops if it’s warm enough.

And always, a leather bag. Usually a tote. Soft, buttery leather. Simple, classic. Less, but better.

Less, but better.

A few years ago my favorite designer retired. Stopped hand making the most gorgeous leather bags from his studio in the mountains of Italy. So I decided to learn how to make my own tote. Just because. Just to try it. And so I did.

I spent a crazy amount of time researching how and where to buy the finest leathers, became a student of designers I admired from around the globe - fascinated by how each is slightly different from the other, the tannery they favor, the stitch they prefer, the tools they use. I learned to hand stitch leather (p.s. not so easy!) and I found my passion.

The very first day I wore my tote a woman stopped me to ask where I purchased it - I was thrilled to tell her I made it. She asked if I could make her one….and RANE was born.

So please take a moment to share RANE with a friend - I want the story of RANE to grow and the best part of that story will be if it inspires others to follow their passion. Just because.