my story

SLOW, THOUGHTFUL AND HANDMADE

I love making things with my hands, experimenting, testing ideas and bringing them to life. My creative energy grew when I learned to draw something and then create it, to draft and think technically about a creative idea. This first translated into sewing and small home goods, and led me down a career in interior design and architecture.

I’ve always considered myself a designer, more than an artist - I love making things for people, giving voice to a design, allowing my expression as well as others to be highlighted. 

In 2017, I made my first leather bag. I wanted a beautiful bag that represented the kind of designer and architect I aspired to be. It would be modern, clean, simple, but very functional; casual and also look amazing dressed up; not bulky, but to carry all the necessities. This was the first iteration of the Lee Bag. 

In 2019, I accepted an architecture internship in Mexico City. During a meeting, I met my first leather bag client, sitting on the rooftop of this castle-like courtyard building. He picked up my bag and asked who it belonged to and where they got it. I made him 3 bags in total. The one he wore every day, and really wore the shit out of it, unlike how I used mine. I had to fix it multiple times. It was difficult and embarrassing, but an equally rewarding and informative experience. This inspired me to focus on details and techniques to create durable and lasting products. 

The name Contra was created to embody this push back of mass-production and capitalism, but I think it actually marks the point in my career where I finally decided to trust myself and follow my own path - and me being in contradiction with the path in front of me. While creating Contra, although many things are truly stressful and scary, I am grateful to be able to curate how I want to work and live, and I hope it inspires others to follow the path unknown.