A few years back, Jackie and Phillip Wachter decided to make Christmas gifts for one another. Although both had creative backgrounds – one in fashion design, the other in film – they never anticipated that those gifts (a pencil case and a pair of gloves) would lead to the beginnings of FOUNT, a design and production house that specializes in fine leather accessories.

“Next thing we knew, we were making leather wallets and a few other smaller items out of the spare room of our apartment,” Phillip says. Family members, friends and other creatives began to admire their work, and FOUNT was born. Now a team of twelve, the business is based out of a studio in downtown Cleveland.

But FOUNT is more than a fashion brand; the duo prides themselves on high quality, carefully sourced goods that are designed to stand the test of time. “We really exhaust our options when looking for materials. When we first started seeking out leather, I think we requested samples from 40 tanneries from around the world. We wanted to find the best leather we could,” Phillip says. FOUNT’s hand-designed, cut and sewn inventory is created with vision and intentionality, aiming to bring the fashion industry back to Cleveland.

In the next year, FOUNT plans to expand their already extensive collection of handmade leather accessories with the launch of a men’s line. Browse their current selection online and follow their story on the Modern Midwest Instagram.