Spotlight Series: Rough & Tumble

Natasha Durham

Founder, Rough & Tumble

What do you offer that is unique or noteworthy?

We are known for our drapey bags handcrafted from Italian leather. ​​We design a bag like one might design a gown. It's all about asking, how does it drape? That's the question. We might ask 20 different questions, but “How does it drape?” is always the first question. How does it fall on the body? No one else asks these sorts of questions about handbags.

What were your humble beginnings compared to today’s success?

It started in 2008 with two handbags that I made in my home—a 1929 church on a mountain in Maine. I was making so many bags at the time and giving them to friends. Then one day I put two bags on Etsy. I woke up the next morning, and both had sold. From that point on, I couldn’t keep up with demand.

When I first started designing these bags, I would literally get goosebumps on my arms—and I wanted our clients to experience that same feeling. So early on I created this concept of clients being involved in designing their own bags. That became a huge hit.

Today, we operate an 8,000-square-foot design studio. We ship bags internationally, and they're all made here in Maine. We do have some partners in New York—artisans who have created for Prada and other luxury brands. But 90% of our makers work within two hours of our mill in Brunswick.

We really focus on one bag at a time. We take our time and ask, is this leather perfect? Is this drape perfect? Our clients, just like our makers, tend to stay with us for life. The bulk of our clients, once they discover us, are lifers. Many own well over 200 bags.

What is the real magic powering your brand?

I think the magic is that we were founded by a maker. My production director, Louise Gartland, is also a maker. We honor our makers. We understand the intelligence, skill, and focus that it takes to make art. And we invite our customers to be makers too. Our tagline is “Be the designer.”

There is also a huge amount of magic in the support we receive from our fans. One of our biggest fan groups is headed by a woman, Michele, who lives in Amsterdam. She’ll fly to Maine and we’ll host 20 people in the mill in the morning, and 20 more in the afternoon. Then we’ll all eat lunch together. They all love each other as much as they love us. We have facilitated this incredible connection for people—and it is super magical.

One reason to visit your flagship store in Old Port Square?

Even though the store represents a small example of what we offer online, you really can see how the bags are made here. You can touch the leather and there's a design center where you can work with the store manager, Laurel, and her team to design your own bag.

Best time of day/week to visit your store?

Any time is a great time! If you want more specialized service from the staff in terms of designing a bag, around midday, midweek is better.

One thing you/your team loves about the Old Port?

I grew up in Greater Portland and ever since I was fourteen, all I’ve ever wanted was to be a part of the Old Port. Anything you would go to New York for, you can get in the Old Port. You may not have as many choices, but you can get that same quality of product.

Why Old Port Square as a location – to visit/stay/work in?

My architect, Lauren Rosenberg, designed our flagship store and she loved working with the team at Old Port Square. Their attention to detail has brought so many layers of quality to their restoration work in the Old Port. It’s something that only people who have been coming here for decades can truly sense.

Rough & Tumble Flagship Store, 176 Middle St., Portland. Summer Hours: Daily 10:00am-6:00pm. Learn more at roughandtumble.com