Métier in The New York Times

What Makes a Good Bag?

Métier, an independent brand founded by Melissa Morris, opens its first U.S. store, having amassed an influential following with an eye toward elegant functionality.

Written by Thessaly La Force

Twelve years ago, Melissa Morris, the founder of the London-based luxury handbag line Métier, squatted in front of a subway turnstile, her bag on the floor, digging for her wallet, missing her train that had just pulled out of the station.

I was late for my next meeting, and I looked around and everyone was just like me,” Ms. Morris said. “They had a giant tote and a little handbag. And I asked myself, ‘Why?’”

Ms. Morris, 42, stood inside Métier’s first American store, opening this week in SoHo. With her were Akari Endo-Gaut and Currie Ritchie, the two designers of the space, who have envisioned a interior featuring dark-stained panels of wood, soft yellow folded drapes and a collection of turn-of-the century and midcentury antiques from Otto Wagner, Jean Prouvé and Josef Hurka.

“We’re not really quiet luxury, because we’re not quiet at all,” said Morris. “But we have more substantial things to talk about than a logo.”

Whisking around the store, Ms. Morris showed off her latest collection, including a sleek emerald-green bucket bag with discreet interior pockets and a lightweight tote made of chocolate-colored nubuck whose sides cleverly fold out to fit a laptop.

Métier, which was founded in 2017, has become a notable brand in the luxury accessories space. Large conglomerates like LVMH and Kering may dominate the category, but customers lately have become fatigued with price hikes and declining quality. Independent designers have stepped in to fill a void in the market for wallets, clutches, totes and more, and a certain kind of customer is seemingly happy to sacrifice brand recognition for quality materials, craftsmanship and design.