Swiss Craftsmanship. Quiet Luxury. Bespoke Leather Bags & Accessories.
Photo: Dani Cruz Photography
“Leathercraft, to me, is a conversation between material, hand, and the person who carries it. A dialogue that shapes every piece I create.”
BY MONSIEUR is the work of Joe, a leather artisan trained in Switzerland and Korea, with a foundation in product design. Launched in 2022, the atelier has cultivated a discreet but dedicated following on the West Coast.
From his Vancouver workshop, Joe mainly creates bespoke leather goods defined by precision, classic lines, and a modern quiet-luxury sensibility. Each piece is made from premium leather sourced from some of the world’s finest tanneries.
Fluent in English, Korean, and French, and a proud member of the Craft Council of British Columbia, Joe brings an open and welcoming approach to his craft. Whether you have a clear vision or only an intuition, he is always happy to begin the conversation.
Contact Joe to book an appointment.
Your Leather Commission, Step by Step
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STEP 1
CONVERSATION
Meet with Joe at his Atelier & Showroom to share your vision, timeline, and material preferences.
To make the most of this conversation, you’re welcome to bring examples, images, or screenshots of leather pieces that inspire you.
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STEP 2
QUOTE & TIMELINE
Following your discussion, Joe provides an estimated total and handcrafting timeframe.
To proceed to the next steps, a deposit of 50% of the total amount is required.
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STEP 3
REVIEW & ALIGNMENT
Joe shares a rendering, mock-up, or sample (depending on complexity) for your approval before handcrafting begins.
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STEP 4
HANDCRAFTING
Your piece is carefully handcrafted.
Depending on Joe’s waitlist and agreed timeframe, please allow a minimum of 4-5 weeks for small leather goods and 6–8 weeks for leather bags.
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STEP 5
PICKUP
Joe notifies you when your custom piece is ready for pickup.
An official invoice comes with your custom piece, and the remaining balance is due.
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STEP 6
CONDITIONING
For custom leather bags, and exclusively for his Vancouver clients, Joe is happy to offer complimentary annual conditioning.
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#design
Joe, also known as Monsieur, began his design journey in South Korea, where he trained in industrial and electronic product design at the prestigious Samsung Art & Design Institute. After relocating to Canada, he expanded his design expertise by studying interior design at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
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All photos of Joe were taken by Dani Cruz Photography at Hand & Sew in New Westminster.
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#luxury
Now a Canadian citizen, Joe spent several years in the heart of Europe, just a short drive from the French Jura—home to legendary ateliers like Hermès and Louis Vuitton. It was there that he began learning French and discovered his passion for luxury leather goods, setting the foundation for what would become BY MONSIEUR.
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#craftsmanship
While living in Switzerland, Joe completed an apprenticeship at Sattlerei Fiona Losinger, a respected atelier-boutique in Bern. He later pursued advanced leathercraft training at a private leather school in Seoul, and attended Lineapelle in Milan—the world’s premier international leather exhibition—deepening his understanding of materials and craftsmanship.
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#local
Since returning to Canada in 2021, Joe has dedicated himself to building BY MONSIEUR, launched in 2022. From his atelier in New Westminster, he handcrafts leather bags and accessories with care, precision, and patience. Joe is a proud member of the Craft Council of BC.
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“With a deliberately limited rhythm of commissions, each piece receives my full attention from the first cut to the final finish.”
— Joe
“Trained in the Swiss tradition of meticulous craftsmanship, I believe in slowing down to create objects that last—both in construction and relevance.”
— Joe
More to come.
Joe’s interview with Kate & Jack Lennie, founders of We Are Makers Magazine — a publication dedicated to celebrating craftsmanship and independent makers around the world — will appear in the April edition.
A warm thank you to both for visiting Canada and spending time at the atelier.
Where to find BY MONSIEUR?
A selection of Joe’s leather pieces can be found at the Craft Council of BC Shop & Gallery on Granville Island.
Otherwise, visits are by appointment only at his Atelier & Showroom on Laurel Street in the Marine Drive area of Vancouver.
You can also find BY MONSIEUR at select craft markets in Vancouver and in Whistler throughout the year.