Mooney Leather Goods

Mooney Leather Goods is a collection of luxury leather goods carefully handcrafted by me, Sierra Rae Mooney, in Hyde Park, Chicago.

The pandemic of 2020 seemed to open everyone’s eyes to the monotony and ethical crises of various markets. We became more conscious of where our belongings were made, how they are expected to stand the test of time, and what expertise or craftsmanship may or may not have gone into their production. Like many others, I used the excess of free time to learn a new skill and potentially save a little money making a belt the traditional way instead of buying another fast fashion belt, without settling on the monotonous rustic styles that handmade products seem to fall into in the United States. I believe traditional methods are better in this case for technical reasons, not because of some socio-political urge to romanticize the past.

I can’t say the first one was groundbreaking, but it was immediately well worth the initial investment of tools, materials, and time. It did mark the beginning of an obsession. From that first belt, the goal shifted from creating a functional piece out of quality materials and decent craftsmanship to matching luxury, but with a palette of color and texture you won’t find on the Mag Mile, at a far more approachable price point.

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Sierra Rae Mooney
Founder, Craftswoman