About Us
THE HEART OF HOBO
Discovery is at the heart of everything we do.
That’s why our leather goods are designed
with pockets for planning, and plotting. Crafted
for a long-term relationship and made better
with use and wear. As a second-generation,
family-run brand, we cherish quality,
craftsmanship and originality. We exist to
inspire confidence and self-expression. Giving
you color and choice so you have the freedom
to go where you want to be. Weaving together
beauty, soul and purpose, stitch by stitch,
to craft the life you love.
Discovery is at the heart of
everything we do. That’s why
our leather goods are designed
with pockets for planning, and
plotting. Crafted for a long-term
relationship and made better
with use and wear.
- Koren Ray
co-founder, chief visionary officer
- Koren Ray
co-founder, chief visionary officer
OUR STORY & OUR FOUNDERS
1975
In my earliest memories I am playing with
scraps of leather under the craft bench in the
'70s leather shop where my mom, Toni Ray,
learned her trade. She taught me that it all
begins with the craft of leather and the belief
that the possessions we own are made
better with the richness of experience.
In my earliest memories I am playing with scraps of
leather under the craft bench in the '70s leather shop
where my mom, Toni Ray, learned her trade. She taught
me that it all begins with the craft of leather and the
belief that the possessions we own are made better
with the richness of experience.
OUR PROCESS
OUR LEATHERS
OUR PROCESS
OUR LEATHERS
1990
1990
After 20 years building legendary
leather shops, Toni Ray starts all
over again. With the last of her
savings and a belief that quality
and cool never go out of style,
HOBO is born.
She chooses the name HOBO to celebrate the
legendary spirit of the American hobos who followed
their own path and lived by a code of hard work and
kindness in pursuit of the next adventure.
After 20 years building legendary leather shops,
Toni Ray starts all over again. With the last of her
savings and a belief that quality and cool never go out of style,
HOBO is born.
She chooses the name HOBO to celebrate the legendary
spirit of the American hobos who followed their own
path and lived by a code of hard work and kindness in
pursuit of the next adventure.
1991
1991
Sketching designs on the dining
room table, in my mom's home in
Annapolis, Maryland, we create a
collection of natural leather bags,
crafted in a small family factory in
Bogotá, Colombia.
Because like-souls have a way of finding each
other, I meet David Brewer, the person who
becomes my partner in HOBO and in life. We
share a love of music and a belief that the
most important thing in life is to find good
people to take the journey with.
Sketching designs on the dining room table, in my mom's
home in Annapolis, Maryland, we create a collection of
natural leather bags, crafted in a small family factory
in Bogotá, Colombia.
Because like-souls have a way of finding each other, I meet
David Brewer, the person who becomes my partner in
HOBO and in life. We share a love of music and a belief that
the most important thing in life is to find good people
to take the journey with.
1993
After years of taking HOBO on the
road in our beat up van, we finally
land our first big order. All of our
friends turn out to help us pack
up the order in our 'warehouse'
on my mom's back porch. Even,
Gracie, our Chesapeake Bay
Retriever pitches in.
After years of taking HOBO on the road in our beat up van,
we finally land our first big order. All of our friends turn
out to help us pack up the order in our 'warehouse' on
my mom's back porch. Even, Gracie, our Chesapeake Bay
Retriever pitches in.
1999
From a small tannery in Italy, we find
the LEATHER that will become our
signature material. We call it Vintage
Hide, because it possesses the unique
imperfections and slight distressed
charm of well-loved possessions. It takes
COLOR beautifully and we begin to use
the endless hues of nature to tell a story
of creativity and discovery.
COLOR, TEXTURE & STYLE become the
tools we use to create leather goods
made for self-expression.
From a small tannery in Italy, we find the LEATHER that
will become our signature material. We call it Vintage Hide,
because it possesses the unique imperfections and
slight distressed charm of well-loved possessions. It takes
COLOR beautifully and we begin to use the endless hues
of nature to tell a story of creativity and discovery.
COLOR, TEXTURE & STYLE become the tools
we use to create leather goods made for self-expression.
OUR PROCESS
OUR LEATHERS
OUR PROCESS
OUR LEATHERS
2003
2003
LAUREN
The original kiss-lock wallet-clutch designed to hold
it all and get you through every day with grace, style
and confidence. After 18 years, Lauren has reached
coveted collectors' status and earned a place in the
hearts of over 1 million women.
The original kiss-lock wallet-clutch designed to hold it all
and get you through every day with grace, style and
confidence. After 18 years, Lauren has reached coveted
collectors' status and earned a place in the hearts of
over 1 million women.
2011
I'm often asked what makes a HOBO
bag so special. My answer is simple:
INTENTION. My mother taught me to live
with integrity and design with purpose.
My passion is to create the bags you reach
for every day for their utility and style.
Because when you're not worried about the
small stuff, like the thing holding all your
things, you are free to reach for more.
That inspires me.
Our ICONS are the ones you know by name.
Designed to be loved and made more
beautiful with 1000s of touches.
I'm often asked what makes a HOBO bag so special.
My answer is simple: INTENTION. My mother taught me to
live with integrity and design with purpose. My passion is
to create the bags you reach for every day for their utility
and style. Because when you're not worried about
the small stuff, like the thing holding all your things,
you are free to reach for more. That inspires me.
Our ICONS are the ones you know by name. Designed to be
loved and made more beautiful with 1000s of touches.
MEET OUR ICONS
MEET OUR ICONS
2012
Because we believe in connections, we put
down retail roots in Annapolis, Maryland,
opening our first flagship store in the heart
of our hometown.
And HOBO takes to the road. Mobile
HOBO is the perfect way to share our
leather goods, purposefully designed for
discovery and everyday adventures.
Because we believe in connections, we put down retail roots
in Annapolis, Maryland, opening our first flagship
store in the heart of our hometown.
And HOBO takes to the road. Mobile HOBO is the perfect
way to share our leather goods, purposefully designed
for discovery and everyday adventures.
2015
Pantone, the global color company,
selects HOBO to represent their favored
hue for 2015, the one they predict will be
most prominent in design and products
in the coming year.
Pantone, the global color company, selects HOBO to
represent their favored hue for 2015, the one they predict
will be most prominent in design and products
in the coming year.
2017
The Leather Lounge, our pop-up
in Soho, NYC, is a nostalgic tribute
to the craft of leather. Celebs and
influencers join us for live music,
local leather artisans and the best
of HOBO's heritage styling. It's a
creative space inspired by the
leather shop where I grew up.
The Leather Lounge, our pop-up in Soho, NYC, is a nostalgic
tribute to the craft of leather. Celebs and influencers
join us for live music, local leather artisans and the best of
HOBO's heritage styling. It's a creative space inspired
by the leather shop where I grew up.
READ MORE
2018
HOBO is honored with the Independent Handbag
Designers' ICONOCLAST Award. I'm humbled to
be recognized among such an amazing group of
past design recipients and happy that our
commitment to a lifetime of purposeful design
is appreciated by so many.
HOBO is honored with the Independent Handbag Designers'
ICONOCLAST Award. I'm humbled to be recognized among
such an amazing group of past design recipients and happy
that our commitment to a lifetime of purposeful design
is appreciated by so many.
2018
We partner with famed jewelry designer,
Pamela Love, to create bags for our Artisan
Series, celebrating female artists who create
handmade, one-of-a-kind HOBO bags, benefiting
our #LiveTheCode charitable platform.
We partner with famed jewelry designer, Pamela Love, to
create bags for our Artisan Series, celebrating female
artists who create handmade, one-of-a-kind HOBO bags,
benefiting our #LiveTheCode charitable platform.
ARTISAN SERIES
#LIVETHECODE
2019
The Leather Lounge at White's
Mercantile in Nashville, is the perfect
place to bring our Modern Day Hobos
series to life. A curated experience
featuring Hobo’s love of leather craft
and its artisans, it's a celebration of
creators, entrepreneurs, musicians and
designers, those who inspire me with
the everyday beauty they create.
The Leather Lounge at White's Mercantile in Nashville,
is the perfect place to bring our Modern Day Hobos series
to life. A curated experience featuring Hobo’s love of
leather craft and its artisans, it's a celebration of creators,
entrepreneurs, musicians and designers, those who
inspire me with the everyday beauty they create.
BEHIND THE SCENES
2021
30 YEARS LATER...
David and I know, in leather and in life, the
more you do, the better it gets. When we
discover what matters, like our roots, the old
and new woven together, we build a life we
believe in. Crafting a community, stitch
by stitch. The HOBO community has grown
over the years; employees, retail partners and
loyalists, we thank you from the bottom of
our hearts for taking this amazing journey
with us.
David and I know, in leather and in life, the more you do,
the better it gets. When we discover what matters,
like our roots, the old and new woven together, we build a life
we believe in. Crafting a community, stitch by stitch.
The HOBO community has grown over the years; employees,
retail partners and loyalists, we thank you from the bottom
of our hearts for taking this amazing journey with us.
THE HEART OF HOBO
Discovery is at the heart of everything we do.
That’s why our leather goods are designed
with pockets for planning, and plotting. Crafted
for a long-term relationship and made better
with use and wear. As a second-generation,
family-run brand, we cherish quality,
craftsmanship and originality. We exist to
inspire confidence and self-expression. Giving
you color and choice so you have the freedom
to go where you want to be. Weaving together
beauty, soul and purpose, stitch by stitch,
to craft the life you love.
Discovery is at the heart of
everything we do. That’s why
our leather goods are designed
with pockets for planning, and
plotting. Crafted for a long-term
relationship and made better
with use and wear.
- Koren Ray
co-founder, chief visionary officer
- Koren Ray
co-founder, chief visionary officer
OUR STORY & OUR FOUNDERS
1975
In my earliest memories I am playing with
scraps of leather under the craft bench in the
'70s leather shop where my mom, Toni Ray,
learned her trade. She taught me that it all
begins with the craft of leather and the belief
that the possessions we own are made
better with the richness of experience.
In my earliest memories I am playing with scraps of
leather under the craft bench in the '70s leather shop
where my mom, Toni Ray, learned her trade. She taught
me that it all begins with the craft of leather and the
belief that the possessions we own are made better
with the richness of experience.
OUR PROCESS
OUR LEATHERS
OUR PROCESS
OUR LEATHERS
1990
1990
After 20 years building legendary
leather shops, Toni Ray starts all
over again. With the last of her
savings and a belief that quality
and cool never go out of style,
HOBO is born.
She chooses the name HOBO to celebrate the
legendary spirit of the American hobos who followed
their own path and lived by a code of hard work and
kindness in pursuit of the next adventure.
After 20 years building legendary leather shops,
Toni Ray starts all over again. With the last of her
savings and a belief that quality and cool never go out of style,
HOBO is born.
She chooses the name HOBO to celebrate the legendary
spirit of the American hobos who followed their own
path and lived by a code of hard work and kindness in
pursuit of the next adventure.
1991
1991
Sketching designs on the dining
room table, in my mom's home in
Annapolis, Maryland, we create a
collection of natural leather bags,
crafted in a small family factory in
Bogotá, Colombia.
Because like-souls have a way of finding each
other, I meet David Brewer, the person who
becomes my partner in HOBO and in life. We
share a love of music and a belief that the
most important thing in life is to find good
people to take the journey with.
Sketching designs on the dining room table, in my mom's
home in Annapolis, Maryland, we create a collection of
natural leather bags, crafted in a small family factory
in Bogotá, Colombia.
Because like-souls have a way of finding each other, I meet
David Brewer, the person who becomes my partner in
HOBO and in life. We share a love of music and a belief that
the most important thing in life is to find good people
to take the journey with.
1993
After years of taking HOBO on the
road in our beat up van, we finally
land our first big order. All of our
friends turn out to help us pack
up the order in our 'warehouse'
on my mom's back porch. Even,
Gracie, our Chesapeake Bay
Retriever pitches in.
After years of taking HOBO on the road in our beat up van,
we finally land our first big order. All of our friends turn
out to help us pack up the order in our 'warehouse' on
my mom's back porch. Even, Gracie, our Chesapeake Bay
Retriever pitches in.
1999
From a small tannery in Italy, we find
the LEATHER that will become our
signature material. We call it Vintage
Hide, because it possesses the unique
imperfections and slight distressed
charm of well-loved possessions. It takes
COLOR beautifully and we begin to use
the endless hues of nature to tell a story
of creativity and discovery.
COLOR, TEXTURE & STYLE become the
tools we use to create leather goods
made for self-expression.
From a small tannery in Italy, we find the LEATHER that
will become our signature material. We call it Vintage Hide,
because it possesses the unique imperfections and
slight distressed charm of well-loved possessions. It takes
COLOR beautifully and we begin to use the endless hues
of nature to tell a story of creativity and discovery.
COLOR, TEXTURE & STYLE become the tools
we use to create leather goods made for self-expression.
OUR PROCESS
OUR LEATHERS
OUR PROCESS
OUR LEATHERS
2003
2003
LAUREN
The original kiss-lock wallet-clutch designed to hold
it all and get you through every day with grace, style
and confidence. After 18 years, Lauren has reached
coveted collectors' status and earned a place in the
hearts of over 1 million women.
The original kiss-lock wallet-clutch designed to hold it all
and get you through every day with grace, style and
confidence. After 18 years, Lauren has reached coveted
collectors' status and earned a place in the hearts of
over 1 million women.
2011
I'm often asked what makes a HOBO
bag so special. My answer is simple:
INTENTION. My mother taught me to live
with integrity and design with purpose.
My passion is to create the bags you reach
for every day for their utility and style.
Because when you're not worried about the
small stuff, like the thing holding all your
things, you are free to reach for more.
That inspires me.
Our ICONS are the ones you know by name.
Designed to be loved and made more
beautiful with 1000s of touches.
I'm often asked what makes a HOBO bag so special.
My answer is simple: INTENTION. My mother taught me to
live with integrity and design with purpose. My passion is
to create the bags you reach for every day for their utility
and style. Because when you're not worried about
the small stuff, like the thing holding all your things,
you are free to reach for more. That inspires me.
Our ICONS are the ones you know by name. Designed to be
loved and made more beautiful with 1000s of touches.
MEET OUR ICONS
MEET OUR ICONS
2012
Because we believe in connections, we put
down retail roots in Annapolis, Maryland,
opening our first flagship store in the heart
of our hometown.
And HOBO takes to the road. Mobile
HOBO is the perfect way to share our
leather goods, purposefully designed for
discovery and everyday adventures.
Because we believe in connections, we put down retail roots
in Annapolis, Maryland, opening our first flagship
store in the heart of our hometown.
And HOBO takes to the road. Mobile HOBO is the perfect
way to share our leather goods, purposefully designed
for discovery and everyday adventures.
2015
Pantone, the global color company,
selects HOBO to represent their favored
hue for 2015, the one they predict will be
most prominent in design and products
in the coming year.
Pantone, the global color company, selects HOBO to
represent their favored hue for 2015, the one they predict
will be most prominent in design and products
in the coming year.
2017
The Leather Lounge, our pop-up
in Soho, NYC, is a nostalgic tribute
to the craft of leather. Celebs and
influencers join us for live music,
local leather artisans and the best
of HOBO's heritage styling. It's a
creative space inspired by the
leather shop where I grew up.
The Leather Lounge, our pop-up in Soho, NYC, is a nostalgic
tribute to the craft of leather. Celebs and influencers
join us for live music, local leather artisans and the best of
HOBO's heritage styling. It's a creative space inspired
by the leather shop where I grew up.
READ MORE
2018
HOBO is honored with the Independent Handbag
Designers' ICONOCLAST Award. I'm humbled to
be recognized among such an amazing group of
past design recipients and happy that our
commitment to a lifetime of purposeful design
is appreciated by so many.
HOBO is honored with the Independent Handbag Designers'
ICONOCLAST Award. I'm humbled to be recognized among
such an amazing group of past design recipients and happy
that our commitment to a lifetime of purposeful design
is appreciated by so many.
2018
We partner with famed jewelry designer,
Pamela Love, to create bags for our Artisan
Series, celebrating female artists who create
handmade, one-of-a-kind HOBO bags, benefiting
our #LiveTheCode charitable platform.
We partner with famed jewelry designer, Pamela Love, to
create bags for our Artisan Series, celebrating female
artists who create handmade, one-of-a-kind HOBO bags,
benefiting our #LiveTheCode charitable platform.
ARTISAN SERIES
#LIVETHECODE
2019
The Leather Lounge at White's
Mercantile in Nashville, is the perfect
place to bring our Modern Day Hobos
series to life. A curated experience
featuring Hobo’s love of leather craft
and its artisans, it's a celebration of
creators, entrepreneurs, musicians and
designers, those who inspire me with
the everyday beauty they create.
The Leather Lounge at White's Mercantile in Nashville,
is the perfect place to bring our Modern Day Hobos series
to life. A curated experience featuring Hobo’s love of
leather craft and its artisans, it's a celebration of creators,
entrepreneurs, musicians and designers, those who
inspire me with the everyday beauty they create.
BEHIND THE SCENES
2021
30 YEARS LATER...
David and I know, in leather and in life, the
more you do, the better it gets. When we
discover what matters, like our roots, the old
and new woven together, we build a life we
believe in. Crafting a community, stitch
by stitch. The HOBO community has grown
over the years; employees, retail partners and
loyalists, we thank you from the bottom of
our hearts for taking this amazing journey
with us.
David and I know, in leather and in life, the more you do,
the better it gets. When we discover what matters,
like our roots, the old and new woven together, we build a life
we believe in. Crafting a community, stitch by stitch.
The HOBO community has grown over the years; employees,
retail partners and loyalists, we thank you from the bottom
of our hearts for taking this amazing journey with us.
