The Story

Ella McHugh is a New York–based handbag line shaped by a belief in personal style over performance.

Designed in New York and made in Italy, each piece is produced in limited numbers and intended to move easily through a woman’s life. Nothing is created to overwhelm or announce itself — only to belong.

An early exposure to antiques and craftsmanship instilled an appreciation for objects that carry meaning through use rather than spectacle. Pieces chosen once, lived with over time, and returned to again and again. That way of thinking continues to guide every design decision.

Handbags, to Ella, are deeply personal. They’re not statements so much as companions — worn instinctively, held close, and shaped by the lives they move through. A quiet record of individual style.

Design begins with proportion and restraint. Shapes are refined rather than embellished. Materials are selected for how they age, not how they demand attention. Each decision is made with longevity in mind.

Production remains intentionally small, guided by relationships with Italian makers who value precision, care, and longevity. Not to create exclusivity for its own sake, but to protect the integrity of the work — and the individuality of the women who carry it.

Ella McHugh handbags aren’t designed for a moment.

They’re designed to stay.