British footwear designer, Tabitha Simmons, is no stranger to the biggest names in Hollywood: Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Bosworth—and the star-studded list goes on. But beyond her eponymous luxury label, launched in 2009, she’s a fashion stylist, a magazine editor, and the newly appointed creative director of London-based heritage leather-goods brand, Tanner Krolle.
Tanner Krolle is one of the oldest British luxury brands, founded in 1856 in London. “It’s synonymous with high-quality craftsmanship,” Simmons tells GRAZIA over the phone, describing its products as “timeless” and the perfect “modern heirloom.” The latter is the brand message Simmons intends to drive home – the fact that the label is an investment piece, one to pick up stories instead of putting it at the back of your closet the following season.
The aforementioned sentiment is one rooted in history, no secret to celebs and royals alike. Take 94-year-old English broadcaster, David Attenborough, for example, who Simmons considers one of her all-time-favorite examples of the label’s timelessness. “He got his luggage when he was 21 years old, and he still uses it to this day,” she tells me during our chat.
Since Simmons’ onboarding in December, she’s designed the charming Annabel 18 Vanity Case inspired by archival designs worn by more iconic Tanner Krolle customers, including the late Princess Diana and Jacqueline Kennedy. It also uniquely resembles the 60s luggage Tanner Krolle developed for Aston Martin (photo in the mini-gallery above). Available in four colors, it can be used as a handbag or worn as a crossbody with its accompanying leather strap. But no matter which way you wear it, the vanity case is undeniably chic.
Besides retaining the brand’s rich history, Simmons is also diligently focused on sustainability. She admits the brand has only just begun perfecting its initiatives. However, effective immediately, the creative director’s designs will be offered in limited edition quantities, as opposed to “massive stock” that inevitably leads to waste. In other words, secure your favorite color Annabel 18 Vanity Case, while you still can.
With just under 4,000 followers on Instagram, it’s evident that Tanner Krolle’s social presence is just beginning to expand. If we were to venture a guess, we’re willing to bet that Simmons’ creative leadership will take the brand of humble roots to new heights unimagined by founder, Frederick Franz Krolle, nearly 200 years ago.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up some more of our favorite leather styles from the heritage label, including beautifully crafted small accessories and handbags.
