In the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, when uncertainty shadowed the world, Hanspeter Winklmayr — descendant from a centuries-old Austrian leathercrafting dynasty — chose an act of quiet rebellion: he founded Winklmayr Leathercraft (Pty) Ltd. Not merely to create handbags, but to weave hope into every article. Today, that vision materialises anew as the brand unveils its revitalised headquarters in South Africa, its sage-green façade crowned by a towering Vegas handbag sculpture — a bold declaration of resilience, joy, and the enduring power of craft.
The Winklmayr legacy actually began in Wels, a city in north-central Austria lying along the Traun River at the foothills of the Eastern Alps. Here, generations of craftsmen have honed leather into articles of distinction. Hanspeter reimagined this heritage under the African sun. “The world felt heavy,” he recalls. “I wanted our bags to carry lightness — a secret spark, hope and joy”. That spark became the brand’s signature sage-green lining, a hue chosen for its ties to hope, renewal and prosperity. HP felt that when you open a Winklmayr bag, it’s not just a compartment — it’s an invitation to breathe, to hope.
This June, Winklmayr’s philosophy takes architectural form. In collaboration with local signage partners - COLORSEPS DIGITAL, the brand’s revamped headquarters — now clad in its iconic sage green — stands as a metaphor for transformation. The exterior’s green paint mirrors one of the colours of Winklmayr, while a 3-meter steel rendition of the cult Vegas bag (a design born from a serendipitous South African journey) adorns the main arch.
This isn’t just a workshop - It’s a reference to craftsmanship as an antidote to despair. The Vegas bag, with its roots in adventure, reminds us that style persists — even in hard times.
Why Green Matters: A Colour Theory of Optimism
In a luxury landscape dominated by neutral tones and neurotic hues, Winklmayr’s commitment to green is deliberate. Colour psychologists link sage to calmness, balance and growth — values mirrored in the brand’s slow-production ethos.
The Winklmayr green isn’t just some Pantone code, the lining is the soul of the bag — hidden, but transformative.
The Vegas Bag: An icon
The facade’s Vegas bag sculpture nods to the brand’s most rebellious design. A dating bag, not designed to carry a phone. Conceived during lockdowns, this palm-sized clutch defied practicality, championing personality over utility. Its revival on the building’s exterior signals a new chapter: one where craftsmanship and joy are inseparable.
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