Where Swiss-Quality Craftsmanship Meets Quiet Luxury.

“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.

“Trained in the Swiss tradition of meticulous craftsmanship, I believe in slowing down to create objects that last—both in construction and relevance.”

— Joe

  • Portrait of Joe in his atelier, photographed by Dani Cruz Photography

  • #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.

  • Joe working in his atelier, photographed by Dani Cruz Photography

    All photos of Joe were taken by Dani Cruz Photography at Hand & Sew in New Westminster.

  • #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.

  • Joe working in his atelier, photographed by Dani Cruz Photography

  • #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.

  • Joe working in his atelier, photographed by Dani Cruz Photography

  • #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.

  • Joe working in his atelier, photographed by Dani Cruz Photography

“My designs are meant to live closely with the individual: gaining character, softness, and story with time.”

— Joe

Tailored Services

  • One-of-a-kind pieces tailored to your needs, whether for daily use or special occasions. Clients can choose leather type, color palette, finishing details, and personalization options.

  • Handcrafted leather gifts designed with intention—ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or any milestone. Personalized initials available.

  • Elegant, meaningful gifts for teams, clients, or partners. BY MONSIEUR offers custom leather accessories (card holders, passport wallets, desk trays, etc.) in small-to-mid-size quantities, with optional co-branding or discreet monogramming.

  • A care service for cherished leather pieces—from minor scuffs and edge finishing to strap reinforcement and hardware polishing. Available for BY MONSIEUR creations and select luxury brands.

  • Available exclusively for leather bags and for clients in the Vancouver region. This annual service helps maintain suppleness, restore finish, and extend the life of your bag. Complimentary for BY MONSIEUR pieces; available by request for select luxury bags.

  • For designers, boutiques, and small brands looking to bring leather goods to life. Whether you’re developing a capsule collection or need a trusted partner for limited-run production, BY MONSIEUR offers tailored consulting, material sourcing guidance, and discreet white label craftsmanship.