“It’s in the Bag”: Gldstone London Bag Founder Richard Sharman on How His Brand is Giving ‘Made in London’ a Major Comeback

The sleek, handcrafted Gldstn London bag is not just a stylish, versatile travel companion—though their core collection is called Everyday Friends—but more than that, this independent brand competing in the luxury market offers inspiration for wherever you may go. I had a chance to catch up with founder Richard Sharman about why he traded the boardroom for the bag industry and how the British brand is planning its US takeover.

 

JS: Richard, tell us about your background. How did your own travel experiences inspire the brand?

Two decades of global travel in a corporate career meant I had to carry my life in many different bags! Spending far too much time in airport lounges, I started to search for bags that would complement my style choices. It was this pursuit along with the influence of my stylish and determined mother which were my ultimate inspirations for the brand.

RS: What is the Gladstone Bag, and how did that influence you?

The brand’s name came from the iconic Gladstone Bag, named after William Ewart Gladstone, the British Prime Minister. He was a liberal thinker and renowned for his love of travel. Being able to carry your belongings in a bag for work or leisure meant everyday journeys became instantly possible—“have bag, will travel.” There’s the connection for us—we are an international brand, designed in London and made in Italy, and proud to reflect a modern interpretation of this history in our core principles and designs.

JS: How old is the company, and where are you based?

RS: Still very young! The brand is British and was launched in London 2015. Along the way we have been awarded Luxury Briefing’s Emerging Brand of the Year in 2019 and, more recently, Corporate Live Wire’s Luxury Luggage Brand of the year in the 2022/23 global awards.

JS: What do you think is so appealing about British design and London culture?

RS: Many skilled British artisans were lost in the First and Second World Wars, and eventually, craftsmanship across London waned. So, I think the history of ‘Made in London’ combined with our fashion history and British heritage—the Royal Family and our history of pageantry—means that people have an association with buying something from the UK with a certain degree of quality and luxury.

JS: What goes into making your bags? Where are they made?

RS: Uncompromising craftsmanship and attention to detail is so important. That’s why we design in London and handmake in Italy. For example, our hardware is custom-made in Florence. We have been lucky enough to work with two factories in Italy that have been family businesses for 30 or 40 years, and their business models are very similar to ours.

JS: Tell us about your Bespoke collections. 

RS: An integral part of our identify is our Made-to-Order service, which offers both Limited Edition and Bespoke. It’s really a refreshing option in a luxury industry where so much volume is produced.

JS: How are you attempting to raise the brand’s profile internationally and in the US?

RS: We have always chosen to sell our bags online, as we only make in small number. To complement this, we have recently decided to retail a selection of our bags in chosen luxury locations around the world, such as Harrods in the UK. Very soon you will also be able to see a selection of our bags in the Caribbean as well as in the United States.

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