Cait Courneya Partners with Solid Mfg. Co. on Line of Leather Goods

Warmer weather can’t come soon enough—but in the meantime, a tropical new collaboration from Minneapolis illustrator Cait Courneya and local home and leather goods company, Solid MFG Co. is a breathe of fresh, summer air. I’ve been a fan of Minneapolis illustrator Cait Courneya’s work since I featured her collaborative line with creative studio MaeMae & Co. in the February 2015 issue of Minnesota Monthly.

“I have been wanting to paint on leather accessories forever,” says Courneya on the collection, which is inspired by the tropics, Matisse, and fashion imagery. The blush-colored clutches and wallets feature her signature, whimsical sketches of palm trees and leaves, while a super-cute sketch of a pair of sunglasses adorns a leather glasses case. She says she had long been inspired by brands, such as Louis Vuitton and Burberry, that have teamed up with artists to combine accessories with art. Courneya approached Solid MFG Co. owners Dan and Alex Cordell to see if they would be interested in partnering, and “we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work together,” says Alex. 

And best of all, since each piece is hand-painted, every item is one-of-a-kind. The product line launches Wednesday, April 7 at caitcourneya.com and solidmanufacturingco.com.

all images by James Cordell