our story
our name…
For our label, we have chosen an anglicized version of our ancient Gaelic surname, Ó Faoláin (pronounced O’ fee-lan) which means ‘little wolf’, and evolved into the contemporary name of Whēlan. The wolf silhouette embedded in the the “W” symbolizes the meaning of our name and expresses our shared values of spirit, creativity, and passion, that we put into each product we create.
our ethos…
Whēlan handbags are the epitome of slow fashion, and are meant to last a lifetime. We believe luxury and sustainability should not be mutually exclusive. We incorporate an environmentalist’s sensibility in every aspect of our handcrafted products, sourcing the best vegetable-tanned and chrome free leathers, water based glues and finishes, and using recycled materials wherever possible.
our make…
When you purchase a Whēlan, you are purchasing a piece of functional art. Each of our products is made completely by hand, requiring hundreds or - for some products - thousands of stitches, many hours, and a passion for craft. Although our aesthetic is minimalist, our design process is not; we put meticulous thought into each design choice in order to yield a product that is of the highest quality, fashionable, and practical for daily wear.
the place…
We believe inspiration and creativity occurs naturally in welcoming spaces. For us, one of those spaces is our stable nestled in the Virginia countryside near Chancellorsville where all Whēlan products are designed and crafted.