49 Square Miles
San Francisco–based private-label design and manufacturing house G. Hensler & Co. built its reputation as an accessories manufacturer making handbags, belts and wallets for specialty retailers including Nordstrom, Ann Taylor, Gap Inc., J Crew, Urban Outfitters and Abercrombie & Fitch, among others.
The company’s first foray into branded accessories is 49 Square Miles, a luxury handbag and belt line designed for the high-end specialty boutique market.
Named for the 49-square-mile peninsula that is San Francisco, the handbag collection embodies an organic, artisanal vibe.
“We use Italian raw materials, and the designs are very special, hand-work oriented and proprietary, as opposed to designing to fit into a specific retailer with a well-established identity,” said Piper Hook, vice president of design.
The premiere collection for Fall 2007 eschews heavy embellishments in favor of a clean look. Hand-stitched details, supple Italian leathers (lamb and calf skin), wax cord detailing, hammered hardware and innovative shapes are key elements of the designs. Separated into two groups—the “Artisan” series and the “Big Mouth” series—the bags are offered in a range of neutral tones such as wood, espresso and gray, as well as vibrant hues such as emerald and plum. The leather selections vary from smooth and supple to textured, vintage looks.
“I feel we have a very identifiable signature that fits with a casual, California lifestyle,” said President Lisa Rissetto.
The “Artisan” series includes extremely clean styles with little hardware. Pieces are named after famed San Francisco inhabitants (both natives and long-time occupants), including Mark Twain, Jack Kerouac, Ansel Adams, Herb Caen and Robert Frost.
Among the larger silhouettes, the “Home Wrecker” tote and “Backstabber” bag from the “Big Mouth” series are standout styles. The large, functional exterior pockets on the “Big Mouth” “Hobo” inspired the name of the entire collection. Hook worked with Senior Designer Jonathan Liberty to come up with the cheeky style names, which include the “Gold Digger,” the “Snootie Patootie” and the aforementioned “Home Wrecker” and “Backstabber.”
“We like the sense of humor it creates, and both of us were a bit tired of the whole women’s-names-as-bag-names idea,” Hook explained.
Wholesale prices range from $85 to $315; retail ranges from $195 for wallets to $650 for larger shapes and special-edition leathers. The line will be sold in California at Fred Segal Santa Monica in Santa Monica, Nest in San Francisco, Habit in Napa, Antonia in Newport Beach and Wendy Foster in Santa Barbara and Montecito, among others.
49 Square Miles will be exhibiting at Designers and Agents in New York May 5–7.
For sales information, contact Michelle Tomaselli at (415) 904-0690 or at mtomaselli@ghensler.com. For more information about the line, visit www.49sqmi.com. —Dena Smolek
