meet ellie
In 2016, Founder, Ellie Schwing, watched her brainchild become a reality with the launch of BENE. Schwing spends most of her days working in Italy, but her hometown of New Orleans holds a special place in her heart. The brand is a visual representation of worlds colliding and continues to showcase the beauty each distinctive influences.
the start of it all
Ellie says, "I'm a total tomboy, but I really love handbags. Growing up, my grandmother had a fantastic collection, so thankfully, I always had a beautiful bag to cover up my outfits that were often more athletic than anything else. As I got older and looked for more practical options for my day-to-day, I just couldn't find what I was looking for. Eventually, I thought to myself, 'I live in Italy, why don't I get this bag made?' That's
where the story of BENE began."
our bags:
BENE bags are produced in Italian studios and handmade by craftsmen who have perfected their work over generations. Not only do we design all of our own patterns and choose to use high-quality Italian hides, but we also line each bag with custom fabric created by New Orleans female artists. Highlighting these inspiring creatives is a foundational part of BENE's mission. It truly is a representation of both of my worlds colliding!
behind the name:
It's an Italian word. It's a positive word that essentially means 'good,' but you use it in many different forms. You could have an entire conversation using the word in different ways. I didn't want my brand to be named after me -- and I also loved the opportunity to introduce a new word to my American audience. It's a four-letter word that I hear 8,000 times a day, and now that you know, you'll probably hear it more often than you might think!
world of bene:
My biggest goal is for people to this brand as a representation of "joy." I like to think that one of the most consistently fun parts of life is getting dressed every day, and an individual's wardrobe is such an opportunity for personal expression. My hope is that when someone wears a BENE bag, it is the embodiment of a life well lived -- and something for memories to be made in.