Lisa Hoaken fell in love with Peter Kent handbags the first time she laid eyes on one. A friend showed up at the tennis court with this great bag, and Hoaken decided she just had to have one. The only problem was, the bag was from Argentina and unavailable in Canada.
But she would soon fix that. A month later, she and her husband flew to Argentina, met with the owner of Peter Kent Buenos Aires, and before the four-day visit was over Hoaken became the official distributor for Peter Kent in Canada.
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“My friend had the Baulito bag, the one with aluminum handles that look like pewter. That leather is called Fiorentina, it’s pebbled leather. There was something about that, with the accessory, that I loved,” says Hoaken.
Hoaken’s company, Fawn Luxury Leather Goods Ltd., launched Peter Kent in Canada in October 2009, and the handbags are now available at select boutiques in Toronto, London, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. In the U.S., Peter Kent can be found in Arizona, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and Massachusetts.
Peter Kent Buenos Aires makes luxury leather handbags and accessories such as belts, wallets, and jewellery boxes. The company was founded in 1972 by Hector Neer, who continues to run it with his three sons.
Peter Kent is known for using only the best leather and suede materials and employing locals who create classic and modern designs with a high level of craftsmanship. Because the company does not produce in large volume, pieces are crafted with every attention to detail, says Hoaken.
“The quality of the leather is incredible, and everything is done in Argentina. They have a tannery that specially tans the leather for Peter Kent, and so the colours are very unique.”
Hoaken notes that for a product of such calibre, the prices are very reasonable compared to some brand name bags, which can soar into the thousands. Most Peter Kent day bags range in price between $500 and $800, with the evening clutches starting at around $250.
“For the price-point the quality is fantastic, and you’re also getting something that there’s not thousands of, because there are no fakes of them,” she says. “I think it’s really for the woman who doesn’t want what everyone has, she wants something a little different, she wants good quality.”
Peter Kent produces several collections per year, and the new spring line will be available in March. There are also the popular staples that continue from season to season, such as the Baulito and the Pizza Bag—so called because when flat it’s the shape of a pizza box, but when carried it changes shape to become an attractive soft leather catch-all.
The Baulito, which comes in a wide range of colours, has been seen repeatedly on the arm of Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, who is originally from Buenos Aires. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, the President of Argentina, has also been spotted wearing the Baulito.
Hoaken plans to expand to Ottawa and Halifax in the near future, and is working on launching in Montreal in time for the coming spring season.
“Montreal has a very European flair, and I think they’ll appreciate some of the styles and colours,” she says.
For more information, go to www.peterkentcanada.com. In the United States, www.peterkenthandbags.com.
