Meet Hobo’s Founder & Designer: Koren Ray

"In my earliest memories I am playing with scraps of leather under the craft bench in the ‘70s leather shop where my mom learned her trade. I recall the artisans cutting, stitching and tooling bags by hand. I grew up under that craft bench and fell in love with leather - for all its beautiful imperfections and the way it ages ever so gracefully". - Koren Ray

What is one of your favorite Hobo bags?

KR: My Sheila bag . It travels with me everywhere. If this bag could tell stories, I would probably be in a lot of trouble!

What is one of your favorite parts of being Hobo's design director?

KR: Traveling to hand select the hides that we use to craft our handbags. Each leather has its own personality, its own character. It's my job to take that leather and tell a story with it.

What do you love most about leather?

KR: I love it for all its perfect imperfections. No other material ages quite as gracefully as quality leather. Time and thousands of touches reveal its true hidden beauty.

What is it like running Hobo with your husband?

KR: It's a great pleasure to work with David every day ... he's my best friend, an amazing partner and he's really rock n' roll, which I love!

Who is one person that you look up to?

KR: If I had to pick one person that I am most happy that I've known in my life, it would be my mother. She does everything in her life with her whole heart. She taught me to live with integrity and design with purpose.

Why do you believe that age = beauty?

KR: There is an authentic beauty in those possessions that we have touched and loved for years, like worn-in boots or your favorite pair of jeans. I design bags to be loved everyday and I believe they just get better with use and wear. That is why I say AGE = BEAUTY.

What are you most passionate about?

KR: Music, the next design, the craft of leather, and my kids!

Peace, Koren