Out with the (c)OLD! and in with 30% off spring styles 🌷🌷 SHOP SPRING CLEANING
Vancouver-based brand Sonya Lee was founded seven years ago by designer Stephanie Sonya Ibbitson after exploring a deep interest in leather and structure. Her line of sophisticated, thoughtful handbags are all handmade, combining the material's raw elements with refined details and personal craftsmanship. Here, Ibbitson shares her process and inspiration.
Sonya Lee is elevated, powerful, and defiant. My goal is to communicate the gravity and importance of skilled by-hand production. I am not always certain where my inspiration comes from. I am often inspired to create something out of the need to portray someone's essence, which is why sometimes I name bags after specific people.
For a new bag I am working on right now, I think I was inspired to do something that made me really happy. Something that isn’t driven by a care for what people think of what I am creating. I took a dive into some new leather techniques I've been wanting to try for years, but wasn't sure if it would resonate with others. This year, I said fuck it.
After developing the Sonya Lee 11 collectsion over the past year, I was, like many, having an incredibly hard time. My depression had been at its worst since I was in high school. I was experimenting with some new ways to approach my life and better myself, which included microdosing psilocybin. That culture, as well as the work of Laura Soto, inspired the dripping shape of the Annie and Half Annie flap.
After developing the Sonya Lee 11 collectsion over the past year, I was, like many, having an incredibly hard time. My depression had been at its worst since I was in high school. I was experimenting with some new ways to approach my life and better myself, which included microdosing psilocybin. That culture, as well as the work of Laura Soto, inspired the dripping shape of the Annie and Half Annie flap.
In fact, the Annie is currently my favorite piece to make. It is by far the most difficult out of all my pieces to construct and it gives me a sense of accomplishment and relief whenever I finish one. A special note is that every one of our pieces is also cut by hand, which means the organic shape on Annie is free-handed without our traditionally used acrylic pattern piece—tricky stuff! This, paired with the fact that it utilizes a naturally waterproof oil-tanned leather, makes Annie a really special part of our collectsion.
To style it, I would wear the Half Annie with black jeans, a Pleats Please button-up (usually only three buttons are fastened as I love a little peek-a-boo moment), Calvin Klein 205W39NYC boots, and some MDG jewelry for spice.
What’s in a name? Sonya Lee was founded 7 years ago, I always felt the name 'Sonya' resonated more with me than my first name, but never had the courage to change it.
Current Playlist: Leyland and I have been listening to a lot of indie music in the house. Here is my mix.
Instagram Crush: Courtney Trop (aka @alwaysjudging). My long time favorite, I love how authentic she is on social media.
