Founded in 2018 by Lisa Hu, St. Louis-based Lux & Nyx is a brand created by women, for women, offering luxury handbags and professional accessories that blend style and functionality.
Lisa left her career in finance to solve a problem many professional women face: finding a handbag that transitions effortlessly from boardroom meetings to post-work commitments.
“I was 13 years into my career and pretty senior in my company,” she says. “I just couldn’t find a work bag that was both functional and chic.” She needed something sophisticated yet practical enough to carry her laptop, documents and personal essentials.
Determined to fill this gap, she launched Lux & Nyx, a brand dedicated to crafting high-quality, multifunctional bags for women on the go.
Designing with purpose
Lisa’s experience balancing work, travel and an MBA program shaped her approach to design.
“I needed a bag that worked for different situations but still looked polished,” she says. “I didn’t want to look like a college student anymore. I wanted a bag that made me feel like a professional executive woman.”
Lux & Nyx bags combine minimalist aesthetics with practical features like weather-resistant materials, multiple compartments and structured designs. One standout collection, the Origami Series, remains one of the brand’s most complex and popular creations.
Lisa’s love for origami, an art form she adored as a child, also influences the brand’s signature folded designs, blending beauty with practicality.
Finding support through SCORE
Turning her vision into reality wasn’t easy, and Hu credits much of her early success to SCORE, a nonprofit organization that provides free business mentoring.
“I started creating my business plan, but I didn’t know where to go next. That’s when I found SCORE,” she explained. There, she connected with mentor Dana Connon, who guided her through critical stages of her business journey.
Dana’s advice was particularly valuable when it came to manufacturing. “You have to go and travel. You have to find them,” Dana told Lisa, encouraging her to visit manufacturers in China rather than relying on online suppliers.
Lisa took that advice to heart, attending trade shows in China. The experience gave her the confidence to move forward with her vision for Lux & Nyx.
“If it wasn’t for Dana saying that, I don’t think I would have had the courage to take that next step,” Lisa says.
Dana says watching Lisa’s success has been deeply rewarding.
“Lisa started with an idea for a product, and she was willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen,” Dana says..
Dana also encourages other entrepreneurs to seek mentorship through SCORE.
“They should work with their mentor by discussing the challenges they are having with each phase of their business,” Dana says. “The founder and mentor can then come up with solutions to overcome those challenges.”
Reaching new professionals
In addition to designing functional bags, Lisa says she wanted Lux & Nyx to make a positive impact. Sustainability is at the core of her brand.
“We try to minimize waste,” Lisa explains. “We ask our manufacturers to use over 90% of the material we source, and we also make sure the packaging is recyclable.”
The company also partners with women-led nonprofits, supporting causes that empower women and promote education.
Like many businesses, Lux & Nyx faced setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. With in-person events no longer viable, Lisa had to pivot quickly.
“COVID was rough. Our business relied on in-person events, and when everything shut down, I had to figure out a new way to reach our audience,” Lisa says.
She launched the “Build Together” campaign, gathering feedback from over 5,000 women on what they wanted in a bag. This data-driven approach helped refine the product line and keep the brand in tune with its audience.
Now, Lux & Nyx is expanding into unisex accessories.
“We started getting requests from companies for conference gifts, so we’re catering to that market as well,” Lisa shares.
This expansion, Lisa says, allows the brand to serve business professionals at every stage of their careers, from new graduates to executives.
A legacy beyond fashion
Lisa says she envisions herself building more than just a handbag company; as Lux & Nyx expands, she wants to create a lasting impact.
“I want to grow my business to a point where I can employ people and make a difference in their lives,” she says.
Lisa says she wants to make Lux & Nyx the next big name in professional accessories, much like Kate Spade.
“I aspire to create something with the same personality and relatability,” Lisa says. “Her brand had a story behind it, and it connected with people. That’s what I want for Lux & Nyx.”
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