Every great brand begins with a simple question. For us, it was: Why does owning a beautiful leather handbag have to cost a small fortune?
OMI was born from a belief that luxury should be accessible. Our name stands for Originality Meets Innovation — a philosophy that guides everything we do, from the leather we source to the artisans we partner with to the price we put on the tag.
From Italy, With Purpose
Our journey starts in the tanneries of Tuscany, where Italian leather craftsmen have been perfecting their art for generations. We work directly with these tanneries to source full-grain Italian leather — the same material used by houses that charge thousands for a single bag. The difference? We’ve cut out the middlemen, the department store markups, and the inflated marketing budgets that traditionally drive luxury prices skyward.
Each OMI bag is handcrafted by skilled artisans who bring decades of experience to every stitch. These aren’t factory-line products stamped out by machines. They’re made by people who care about the details — the way a zipper glides, the balance of a shoulder strap, the feel of a handle in your hand.
What Makes OMI Different
Walk into most stores and you’ll find two options: fast-fashion bags that fall apart in months, or designer bags that cost more than your rent. We saw a gap in the middle — a space for bags made with genuine Italian leather, real craftsmanship, and thoughtful design, priced between $70 and $100.
That’s not a compromise. It’s a conscious choice. We invest in materials and craftsmanship, not celebrity endorsements and glossy ad campaigns. The result is a bag that looks, feels, and ages like luxury — because it is luxury, just without the markup.
The People Behind the Bags
OMI was founded by Joanna Zhang, who spent years studying the fashion supply chain and became frustrated by how much of a luxury handbag’s price goes to branding rather than quality. She set out to build a brand that puts the product first — where every dollar you spend goes toward better leather, better construction, and better design.
Based in Los Angeles with production in Italy, OMI bridges two worlds: the creative energy of LA’s fashion scene and the centuries-old leather traditions of the Italian countryside. It’s a combination that shows in every bag we make.
Crafted to Last, Designed to Love
We believe a great bag isn’t just an accessory — it’s a companion. Something you reach for every morning without thinking. Something that gets better with age as the leather develops its own character and patina. Something you’d recommend to a friend without hesitation.
That’s the OMI promise: handcrafted Italian leather bags that are made to be used, loved, and carried everywhere. No pretense. No inflated prices. Just beautiful bags, honestly made.
Explore the collection and see what Originality Meets Innovation looks like in your hands.
