The Bespoke Collection

At Van Zyl Handbags, we pride ourselves on our custom craftsmanship and offer exclusively handmade luxury handbags made using traditional leather manufacturing methods, with the finest leather and materials imported from Italy, France, Germany and South Africa.

The Van Zyl Handbags Atelier displays the prototypes for our custom creations, the Suzette, Nicole and the Kayleigh handbag, crafted from the world’s finest leathers such as French Chèvre Sully goatskin, Chèvre Fatnat, which is a vegetable-tanned nubuck goatskin, Chèvre Velours Madras, a beautiful large, thick suede, and German Epsom calfskin and “Odessa” Togo shrunk calfskin, as well as rare exotic skins such as crocodile, lizard and ostrich skins from the Klein Karoo, South Africa, and alligator. We warmly invite you to experience our leather and color selection first-hand and help you discover which style suits you best.

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The Suzette Classic Handbag

Made to order

1. The Matriarch: The Investment Piece

This style is the foundation of our craft, built on enduring utility and timeless design. The Suzette is offered in two sizes—a large and a medium—representing the two essential cornerstone pieces necessary for a complete collection.

Available in two sizes –

Medium – 23 cm wide x 16.2 cm high x 12 cm deep

Large – 26 cm wide x 18.2 cm high x 12 cm deep, with a comfortable 9 cm top handle.

The Suzette handbag does not come with a shoulder strap.

The Origin Story: The Suzette

A structured, timeless classic handbag

Named for the woman who taught me the value of quality over quantity, The Suzette (my mother’s middle name) is the original archetype of our craft. This piece embodies quiet strength and enduring utility. It is designed to be the cornerstone of a life well-lived, built with the intention of being passed down through generations. Every panel is cut with a nod to her timeless elegance, and the hand-stitching reflects the unwavering integrity she instilled in every aspect of my life. Available in two cornerstone sizes, The Suzette provides the perfect duality of form and function. This isn’t just a bag you carry; it’s a legacy you protect, reflecting a commitment to investment pieces that only grow richer with time.

You can customize your Suzette in terms of hardware, interior lining, and exterior leather options and colors.

Use the contact page to request more details about customizing your Suzette handbag.

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The Nicole handbag

Made to order

2. The Versatile Daughter: The Collaborative Commission

This style celebrates adaptability and personal expression. The Nicole is offered in four distinct sizes, allowing the client to fine-tune the scale for their specific lifestyle—from a miniature event piece to a day-long carryall.

Available in 4 Sizes – Micro 15, Mini 20, Medium 25 and Large 28

The Nicole 20, 25 and 28 do not come with a shoulder strap.

The Origin Story: The Nicole

A petite top-handle bag

Named for the artistry and independent spirit of my youngest daughter, The Nicole is the closest we come to a pure sculpture that shifts based on need. This piece is for the client who views their accessories as works of art and demands a high degree of versatility. Offered in four distinct sizes, The Nicole allows you to truly customize the scale of your commission, enabling seamless transitions from a day of global travel to an elegant evening event. While the process of creating this style is just as time-intensive, it allows for the boldest color choices and the most imaginative detailing. The Nicole is commissioned for milestones—a piece to mark a pivotal moment and to be carried when one’s intention is to truly stand apart.

You can customize your Nicole handbag with regard to hardware, interior lining, and exterior leather options and colors.

Use the contact page to request more details about customizing your Nicole handbag.

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The Kayleigh handbag

Made to order

3. The Uncompromising Daughter: The Singular Statement

This style represents an intentional, resolved design. The Kayleigh is made in one size only, reflecting an uncompromising dedication to a singular, perfect silhouette. When a client chooses Kayleigh, they are choosing the statement, not just the dimensions.

Handbag dimensions – 23 cm wide x 16.2 cm high x 12 cm deep, with a comfortable 9 cm top handle.

The Kayleigh handbag does not come with a shoulder strap.

The Origin Story: The Kayleigh

A highly structured handbag

The Kayleigh is a tribute to the dynamism and focused energy of my eldest daughter. This bag was born from the realization that true design often involves uncompromising intention. It is offered in one, perfectly resolved dimension. The clean lines and minimal hardware are a study in purposeful design, allowing the richness of the leather and the precision of the hand-finishing to speak for themselves. This style is built for the professional who knows exactly what she needs, making it a perfect reflection of Kayleigh’s own meticulous approach to everything she undertakes. Commissioning The Kayleigh means embracing a design that is definitively complete.

You can customize your Kayleigh in terms of hardware, interior lining, and exterior leather options and colors.

Use the contact page to request more details about customizing your Suzette handbag.

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Atelier

Since we do not keep inventory, each VZ handbag is meticulously made to order, ensuring a unique and personalized accessory crafted in our studio in Delray Beach, Florida.

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Commission Queue

To ensure the uncompromising quality our patrons expect, we limit the number of commissions we accept at any time.

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