The Radley brand was created in 1998 by Australian architect Lowell Harder who actually started ‘playing around’ designing leather handbags nearly 30 years ago after failing to be inspired by English architecture.
As an escape from her domestic chores, the busy mum of three began selling her designs on Camden market in 1984 under the brand name ‘Hidesign’.
Her products soon became popular and department stores began to express an interest in stocking her designs. It was only then that she realised that she might be able make a decent profit from her creative talents.
In the early 1990′s Lowell found an initial backer for her designs in the form of ‘Tula’ – a successful brand in it’s own right who already produced a popular range of flap-over style organiser bags. This gave her the financial injection that she needed and the desire to produce a new range of feminine handbags aimed at the middle to better-end of the market but at more affordable prices.
The little Scottie dog motif was inspired by Lowell’s love of dogs and was first used on a small number of her early designs by using a brightly coloured cut-out dog shape which matched the bag’s leather trim. These bags quickly sold out and demand soared. It was then that Lowell was advised by her sales team to ‘put the dog on everything!’
In 2002 Lowell successfully launched a takeover bid for the Tula company and shortly after buying them out she released her very first ‘Signature bag’ also known as the Radley Picture bag.
Now, ten years on, Radley & Co are a multi-million pound company who continue to produce luxurious, colourful, stylish designs each season. With an ever increasing range of accessories that compliment the bags including purses, umbrellas, scarves and even sunglasses this success story just goes to show that the dog is also a Women’s best friend!