jack&marjorie are not the pair that runs this World War II-inspired accessorie label, that’s actually Toronto-based designers Manuel Opp and Meghan Parsons. Jack and Marjorie are the names of Meghan’s maternal grandparents. “We found some old photos of them from the 1940’s and we loved the juxtaposition of masculine Jack in a Navy uniform and feminine Marjorie dressed up in heels. We thought they represented the concept of the line perfectly, and decided to name it after them.”

jack&marjorie upcycles military surplus goods into sophisticated, artful handbags perfect for Fall fashion. They use durable military surplus materials like wool blankets, ground sheets, parachutes and webbing and combine them with delicate elements like vintage lace, silk, brocade and antique buttons to create a symbiotic blend of masculine and feminine.

Meghan describes their humble beginnings, “We started making bags while living in Tokyo in around 2004. We decided to do bags mostly just because we didn’t have enough space in our tiny apartment to make anything bigger! We officially launched jack&marjorie after moving to Toronto in 2005. Our workspace is a little bigger these days…”

All jack&marjorie bags are personally cut by Meghan and Manuel in Toronto, then handsewn by local contractors. They find much of their inspiration in their materials. “…each bag carries some history with it. It is still thrilling to us to use materials that are over 30 years old…We love the character and uniqueness that is naturally a part of the pieces we create. It makes our job of designing a lot easier.” Meghan and Manuel plan to debut a clothing line in the coming year. If their uber chic bags are any indication, jack&marjorie garments will be serious cold weather commodities for eco fashion souljahs for many winters to come.