One of the recurring comments I have noticed in our editorials and under social media videos is that people are tired of seeing the same designer brands. While spotting a Hermès bag in the wild was once a rarity, now I can easily find handfuls of Hermès bags in a one-hour outing in Miami each visit. Where does this leave a luxury bag lover who wants something different?
This is an opportunity for them to try a different brand. There are a handful (of mostly French) brands that were founded in the 1700s that have been resurrected more recently with long ties to storied pasts. One such brand is Joseph Duclos.
The History
The story of Joseph Duclos dates back to 1754 when King Louis XV signed the Letters Patent in Versailles. This momentous act led to the creation of the Royal Leather Manufacture, which brought together the best craftsmen in France. From this time forward, France’s leather goods have been defined by the expertise that we’ve come to know and expect from luxury brands to this day.
Though originally founded in 1754, there was a long time that the brand was not still in production. However, the Joseph Duclos brand was brought back in 2021 with 7 million Euros of funding from French entrepreneurs and family offices, and creative director Ramesh Nair, formerly of Hermès and Moynat, was enlisted to take the helm.
The Bag
We have a very active and loyal Joseph Duclos thread on the PurseForum, where fans share their latest purchases and orders (one of the biggest perks of a small luxury house is the ability to place an order specific to your liking).
While we last spoke about the Diane which might be the most well-known shape for the brand, I find myself drawn to the Joseph Duclos Fontélie Bag. This is a bag that speaks to my personal style; it’s elegant in its structure and design, the calfskin is incredibly supple and luxurious, and the hardware clasp is reminiscent of a wax seal. All in all, this is a very beautiful everyday companion.
This bag shows off each aspect the brand does well, from sourcing the Concerto leather itself, which shoes a natural yet not fully uniform grain. The hardware is high-end, and the clasp closes with a magnetic clip that acts like a snap.
You can not remove the shoulder strap, though I would like that offered, but you can adjust it. On the sides, there are snaps at the gussets to change the shape of the bag and taper the top a bit as well.
When you open the bag, you’ll find a clever outer pocket that seamlessly melds into the bag – think of this as a great place for a valet ticket or something else small (it does not fit my phone). The interior is quite spacious, with a back pocket, offset leather colors, and a large open main compartment.
Do you know what else is so important to note?
The smell – the glorious smell of this bag that almost feels like I have sprayed a leather perfume, but in actuality, it simply smells that good, which is a nod back to the leather chosen along with every other detail and artisan that came together to make this bag. It’s that new car smell equivalent that few brands possess, but it lures me in every single time.
I love this bag. I love how the brand listens to its customers, the option to customize a bag for yourself, the quality of the materials used, the storied history of the house, and the fact that this design feels incredibly special and different in what many times feels like a sea of repeated items.
It’s a pretty bag, but the strap should be removable.
I agree with being tired of all the blatant designer bags seen everywhere in my extended area. It’s put me off 75% of my luxury bags. Understated quality and elegance are my goals and although I’m not a fan of the strap, this bag would otherwise fit the look.
Same. I’m consciously staying away from LVMH and Kering group brands and looking for quality independent brands. My husband bought me a Serapian tote for Christmas and I love it!
What about Hermes?? They’re the end all be all of luxury bags!
Hermes. Gosh. I’ve never even touched one, but I’m sure they live up to the hype. No matter how much money I had, I could not justify in my own mind a purchase of that amount of $$$$ for a purse. I just couldn’t do it. For those that can, more power to you, I guess, but add to that the very huge statement of crazy spending power, and it’s like a sign saying “Rob me”. I’ll leave those to celebrities and reality stars. As if I have the choice, lol.
I’d love a review of Serapian! They’re owned by Rochemont though so maybe not to be considered independent.
lol! I’ve really got to do better research. And, gosh, I also decided I really can’t help wanting a BV Wallace, too. Oh, well.
Thank you for introducing me to this brand. I am sick of seeing the usual suspects. Love learning more about luxury brands.
Beautiful! Looks almost exactly like the Kate Spade Gramercy Convertible I got, which I love! Now I know where KS copied it from.
I’ve liked this bag for awhile. Do you own one? Do you also know how long it takes to create a custom bag?
When I asked for a quote (different model, not the Fontélie), I was told I could expect the bag finished in 1,5 months.
Very interesting! I never knew that you could order your own custom bag.
Does that mean you can choose the colors you like or even change the size?
I’m sorry, but Joseph Duclos doesn’t offer random custom bags in random leathers and colors. Please check their website to see the bags offered and skin choices. I don’t think they modify bag sizes either.
Though the article read this way to me, the manufacturing of leather goods is not in JD’s history. JD processed the leather for goods. The 21st century JD pays homage to its traditional leather tanning by creating beautiful bags, leather jewelry, and straps.
i have a Fontélie. It’s a lovely bag. The lack of strap hardware allows the bag to drape closer to your body and was purposefully done for a minimalist effect.
Where has someone said that there are random customs bags in random leathers?
To respond to your question, ‘Where has someone said…’
Answer: Nowhere.
I made the comment about no ‘random custom bags in random leathers’ as a stand-alone comment. I didn’t refer to anything previously written that mentioned the word random, and/or criticize any previous statements. I stated a fact. Thats all. Leathers and style choices may be limited. Certain softer or stiff leathers do not work with certain bag styles. Happy New Year!
For questions about custom (skin) offerings, I suggest interested bag lovers contact/message Joseph Duclos to inquire about availability.
This is beautiful!! It does remind me a bit of the Polene Numero Un!
it giving a vibes of Garden Party but with claps, pretty.
This is one of the designers I’ve really been loving lately. I don’t get really excited about purses very often, but they had a green bag that made me swoon.
Finally!! Someone’s listening!
It’s a nice bag that carries an expensive but not stratospheric price tag. I like the color combo shown here. I do get hints of a Moynat bag blend — maybe a Gaby/Madeleine fusion — although this bag is far from being a copy.