Photo courtesy of Hannah Wingate Designs
Hannah Wingate
Fans recognize them at a glance: Bright, color-blocked geometric patterns and distinct leather accents make Hannah Wingate Designs’ crossbody bags, over-the-shoulder totes and wristlets unmistakable.
“I have so many customers message me saying they were out and about, and someone [stopped to] ask them, ‘Is that a Hannah Wingate?’” says the namesake designer. “Or they’ll tell me they got their nails done to match their new Hannah Wingate bag. I cannot believe people I’ve never met in my life are saying my name and talking about my bags – it’s such an unreal feeling.”
From tip to tail, each designed element of Wingate’s bags is handmade to order by the eponymous founder, with a current turnaround time of four weeks. The self-taught sewer and designer works tirelessly from the floor of her dining room (aka her home studio) to cut fabric, faux leather and lining; make straps; and interface the pieces. A $1,500 sewing machine (lovingly named “Rosie”) is the hardworking companion in her one-woman production, pumping out 20 to 25 orders per week.
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Photo courtesy of Hannah Wingate Designs
“The whole process is super time-consuming, but I think the customer can tell the time, love and dedication I put into my bags,” Wingate says. “Quality is what I strive for. The hardest part of being a maker is you’re your own worst critic. Ninety-nine percent of people won’t notice a stitch that’s off, but that doesn’t stop me from redoing it.”
Hannah Wingate Designs became the proprietor’s full-time job in September 2020 after Wingate used the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown to finally fully pursue her side passion and quit her night gig in the restaurant industry. She had viral moments in 2022 and 2023 after sending bags to two of her favorite TikTok fashion influencers, @madeandtaylored and @laurelladeville, who featured her best-selling crossbody purses and garnered significant interest.
“If it weren’t for my son, my best friend, my sister and my mom (who passed away in 2016), I would have given up,” Wingate says. “My mom knew this is what I was supposed to do, and she made me promise her I wouldn’t stop doing it. I have a photo of her in front of my sewing machine that I’ll talk to whenever I get frustrated, and she tells me I can.”
Photo courtesy of Hannah Wingate Designs
Wingate’s top sellers include her crossbodies in neon color-blocked and black-and-white geometric patterns like ikat, moon phases and checkered as well as her larger over-the-shoulder style. The crossbody form is distinct with its rich leather wings on the straps and lay-flat shape, which Wingate designed so you don’t have to take it off to sit in your car with a seatbelt, for example. Prices range from $55 for a wristlet to $165 for a larger sling; crossbody bags range from $95 to $120.
Photo courtesy of Hannah Wingate Designs
Wingate recently collaborated with James Mae, a T-shirt and accessories brand founded by television personality Kristen Doute, and released four new crossbody patterns in late May exclusively for purchase with the Los Angeles-based retailer. The subsequent sellout of most HWD x JM patterns proves many across the country are interested, and Wingate is planning to send James Mae another limited order this month thanks to the immediate success.
In the future, Wingate dreams of expanding her business to include home goods such as wallpaper and curtains with her signature fabric designs. But with her eyes set on the sky, Wingate still takes time to look inward and remind herself how far she’s come. “The fact I’ve supported myself and my son for four years doing what I love to do is all I used to dream about,” she says. “There are still stressors and bills, but I’m not behind a bar. You give up a lot, but you get more. And there’s no way I could go back; I’m meant for this.”
Hannah Wingate Designs, hannahwingate.com, instagram.com/hannahwingatedesigns
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