Our story

Since 2018

With a deep-rooted passion for craftsmanship and design, our journey began with a vision to create something extraordinary.

We make minimalist handcrafted accessories in a way that is fair
to both people and the environment.

Our inspiration

LEES is an accessories and lifestyle brand rooted in timeless design and artisan craftsmanship. Each Bembien piece is made by hand in small, considered batches using techniques passed down through generations.

Our design ethos blends nostalgia with modern design sensibilities to create a collection of new classics meant to be cherished and collected for years to come.

Our commitment

Our design philosophy celebrates longevity and quality. We want to create collections which are relevant, products which have meaning and a story. We hope our dreams and aspirations will inspire and empower more women around the world. Our size may have changed but our vision remains the same – to create fashionable, functional, high quality products which you and I would love!

How it all came to life

We have come a long way since 2018 where we started as a small business in a living room making women’s footwear.Vintage-inspired bags regained popularity, and consumers began focusing on sustainability. Brands introduced eco-friendly materials, and classic designs like the tote and crossbody remained staples.

Mastering the art

This self-taught approach gave our brand a unique perspective, allowing us to merge traditional techniques with contemporary designs in a way that set our work apart. As the reputation for excellence grew, so did the ambition to expand operations and meet the increasing demand for our products.

Selecting the finest materials

We take pride in every piece we create, knowing that it reflects our dedication to excellence. Our commitment to innovation is evident in every collection we release. We embrace cutting-edge technology, from the use of sustainable materials to the incorporation of advanced design features like animation and parallax effects.

The opportunity

Austrian-born Michael Kogelnik recognized the immense opportunity to eliminate the aggravating practice of having to spend precious time ironing and resorting to dry-cleaning services to freshen up their attire while traveling.

Ethically manufactured

All LEES products are designed in the UK and due to extremely high quality requirements our are bags manufactured in China, where such quality standards can be met. All products are ethically manufactured in two family run factories, which we visit on regular basis. We do not work with sweatshops neither in Asia, nor anywhere else in the world, including the UK.

  • 2018
  • 2020
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2024