While most blog-favoured companies get their start in the noughties, there are a few who started up just before the internet became the primary source for information. One such company is Jack Spade, who has been going since 1996.

Created by husband/wife team of Andy and Kate Spade, the line originally began as an offshoot to his wife’s namesake women’s accessories collection. Kate Spade was first made in the couple’s attic and the bags aimed to be ‘neither overly precious or boring basics’. That line eventually grew to the point where they began making bags for hardware stores, which in turn led to the men’s collection.

When asked in US Esquire about why he called his range Jack Spade instead of the more obvious namesake choice, he said, “There were two guys I really admired–Jack Welch, the former CEO of GE, and Jack Kerouac. I thought its art and commerce. It’s straightforward, unpretentious. So we named the company Jack Spade. Jack is like a drop of mercury. You can never put your finger on it; you can never figure it out.”

Fabric wise, the company uses cowhide, vegetable tanned and full grain for their leather collections, whilst using canvas and nylon for their messenger bags. The focus is on day bags, whether it be backpacks, totes, messenger or small holdalls, although they do make wallets and key rings. The bags are all US made and they’ve recently branched out into clothing for SS10 season, making clothes with Cuan Hanly. Hanly had previously worked with Paul Smith for 10 years in addition to running a Dublin-based tailoring business, so he was deemed the perfect choice for the job of bringing clothing that sat comfortably alongside the accessories.

When asked about how his clothes, Spade replied, “I like my clothing with character. Things that have been lived in–imperfect and with stories. I don’t mind if it’s too small. I don’t mind if it’s too big. One thing I hate, though, is the perfect length. I have no patience for a flawless break in the pant.”