THIS MOTHER-SON DUO IS BREAKING GENDER BARRIERS - WITH HANDBAGS

By: Erica Commisso

The handbag business is a mother-son endeavour for Elizabeth Hardy and Benjamin Gordon, who respectively run Canadian-born handbag brands Espe and Benjamin Gordon. For both of them, handbags have been a staple in their every day lives, so it seemed only natural that designing them would be a career path, an extension of who they are. 

Gordon, in particular, has found success with his eponymous brand - which is also vegan and cruelty-free - by appealing to a younger generation of men, one that has no problem carrying handbags. “Ben is close to this younger market, so he knew the bags would resonate,” Hardy says. “The surprise is how much they have resonated, and not just with his demographic, but older men and ladies who are looking for something less feminine but still cool and on-trend.” As it stands, she says, they’re having trouble keeping up with the demand, and many styles are often sold out. 

Gordon saw a market to tap into - a youthful generation with more open minds about the concept of masculinity, with an eye for trends, and with a desire for functional lifestyle pieces, and took off. “Ben has been carrying a side bag since his teens and now, at the ripe age of 23, carrying a bag is just part of everyday life,” Hardy says. “The younger generation of men see bags as accessories that look great and are handy to carry essentials.  The bulging front pockets that held wallets and phones are no longer.”

For proof, look no further than athletes. Super Bowl-winning quarterback Jalen Hurts, Taylor Swifts NFL boyfriend Travis Kelce, stylish NHL superstar David Pastrnak, and soccer legend and style superstar David Beckham have been leading the charge, sporting bags from up-and-coming brands and storied labels alike. As a result, Hardy says, older men are coming around to the idea, too, especially those who traverse the globe. 

“Bags are becoming necessary to keep valuables safe while travelling,” she says. As a result, they’re becoming more commonplace in all aspects of life. “Ben takes inspiration from designers like Louis Vuitton and Gucci  - but he also looks to streetwear culture and specifically the UK rap scene where artists like Potter Payper are creating their unique stylings - and where side bags are playing a big part in this culture.”

The core of Gordon’s design work is simplicity and utility, crafted using high-quality vegan leather. “We offer one colourway, black with gunmetal hardware, to keep it sleek and easy to wear.  Benjamin Gordon bags are functional with thoughtfully placed pockets for easy access to essentials - wallet, phone, keys,” she says. “The straps are wide and comfortable to wear and, being vegan leather, Benjamin Gordon bags are easy to clean.

The fact that both brands are vegan and cruelty-free, Hardy says, is an extension of the duo’s love for animals. Espe regularly donates to the SPCA and Humane Society, and animals at the SPCA and looking for a loving home are regularly featured on the brand’s Instagram page to increase visibility and encourage adoption. Espe will even pay the adoption fees of animals featured on the page, resulting in the adoption of several cats over the last few years. The Benjamin Gordon brand has adopted a similar ethos, and Hardy hopes more brands will follow suit.

“I hope to see greater mindfulness across the industry. It’s essential to adhere to international safety and humanitarian regulations and for consumers to make more conscious choices about where and how they shop,” she says. “Supporting sustainable businesses is not just an option - it’s the way forward.” 

Hardy is breaking barriers, too, as a female-founded fashion company. But, she says, she hardly wants to be seen as a trailblazer - a sentiment Gordon echoes about his own business.

“I run my business just as effectively as anyone else, regardless of gender,” Hardy says. “The real challenge lies in navigating the stereotypes and preconceived notions that some people associate with being a woman. I’ve always approached my work as a capable and confident businessperson, and I’m proud to say that I haven’t faced setbacks because of my gender.”