Leather goods made in South Africa since 2009
A good leather bag should be a pleasure to carry and just as satisfying to open. We make bags, wallets and accessories with attention to both: the leather you see, the lining you feel and the small details you discover through use. Choose a piece for yourself or a gift made personal with an engraved name.
CHARLES LANSDOWN takes its name from my grandfather, a man whose integrity and appreciation of well-tailored clothes left a lasting impression on me. His advice was simple: ‘what you give out is what you get back.’ It still guides the way we make things and look after our customers.
Since 2009, we have built the business around skilled South African leatherwork and personal service. One leatherworker assembles, machine-stitches and finishes each piece from start to finish. Laser cutting brings precision to the patterns; experience and judgement bring the leather together.
We put remaining leather to use in smaller pieces and prototypes. We also help with care and repairs, so our relationship with you can continue long after your purchase.
Bradley Ingram (Founder)
The Signature Bags
The Benjamin, Mansfield and Franklin were the first bags we designed and made, and they have been part of our range ever since. Over the years, their practical details have evolved to suit changing technology and the way we live and work. Each still carries a patina finished by hand, giving the leather its own depth and character. These three bags are at the heart of what I mean by Old School Tailoring, Modern Luxury.
The Benjamin Classic
The Benjamin Classic
A traditional briefcase shape, with room for the way you work today. The Benjamin Classic pairs its twin-buckle front and polished brown patina with a blue-lined interior and leather compartments for your daily essentials.
R7,899
The Mansfield Duffle
The Mansfield Duffle
For a weekend away or a few days on the road, the Mansfield keeps travel straightforward. Its generous opening, sturdy leather handles and detachable shoulder strap make packing and carrying easy. Open it to find the same attention inside: blue lining, a zipped pocket and a leather slip pocket.
Mansfield Medium · R6,599
The Franklin Backpack
The Franklin Backpack
For working days that take you beyond a desk. The Franklin brings a laptop backpack into our old-school leather tradition, with useful outer pockets and a blue-lined interior fitted with leather organisers. Its hand-finished brown patina gives a practical everyday bag a character of its own.
R8,999
Find your next leather piece
Find your next leather piece
The details deserve a closer look
The details deserve a closer look
There is a lot to appreciate beyond the leather itself. Edges are sanded, coloured and sealed. Handles, straps and hardware receive the same attention as the main panels. Inside our signature bags, royal blue suede-effect upholstery lining adds a plush finish.
These are the details we enjoy showing customers in person. You are welcome to visit our Randburg workshop by appointment.
Corporate leather gifts people actually keep
Thank a longstanding client, recognise a colleague or mark an important milestone with leather goods chosen for the person receiving them. From personalised wallets to laptop bags and coordinated gift sets, we help you choose the pieces, leather colours and engraved branding.
A name makes it personal
Choose a wallet, purse or cardholder in their favourite leather colour, then add their name or initials. Each comes in a CHARLES LANSDOWN presentation box, ready to give. Our leather bags include a branded dust bag for storage between outings. A birthday, an anniversary or a thank-you: we will help you choose something they will enjoy using.
“The bags are simply exquisite. They are properly made, finished with attention to every little detail.”
Jonathan Lane · Google review