Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
Haley Black’s handbag line started with a saddle—to be precise, her father’s saddles. While growing up in Bloomington, Illinois, where rodeos are a part of life, she gained an appreciation for her father’s fine leatherwork. After moving here and teaching students with hearing disabilities, she eventually gravitated back to working with leather. Mandolin Handbags was born.
What brought you to St. Louis? I moved here to go to grad school at Wash. U. After I saw an ad for The Mud House, I experienced Cherokee Street and this doers-and-makers community. The care I put into my work is a direct representation of our city.
How did your work with deaf students influence your designs? Communicating an idea with your hands is similar to making a piece: I’m communicating my style aesthetic; I’m creating something, then having someone else be able to carry that with their hands.
Which Mandolin bag is essential? The clutch was the original piece. It was created to be just an essential. It’s large enough to carry everything a woman would need but small enough not to overwhelm the rest of your styling. I’ve tried to create the pieces so that you would carry the commuter as your carry-on if you were going on vacation.
How did your father’s work as a saddle maker influence your work? You can see the connection throughout the entire line. Our large commuter tote’s straps, for example, utilize a five-strand infinity braid, typically used in a Western horse rein. I took something very utilitarian and styled it in a modern way.
Does Dad approve? Oh yeah. He’s wanted to contract me out for sewing. That’s the highest compliment. [Laughs.]
