How Piper & Skye Is Redefining Sustainable Luxury Handbags

In a luxury market increasingly shaped by transparency, sustainability, and shifting consumer values, Piper & Skye is an emerging luxury handbag brand carving out a distinct point of view. Founded by Joanna MacDonald, the brand blends high-end craftsmanship with a commitment to responsible sourcing, ethical production, and material innovation, creating beautiful handbags with genuine purpose at their core. From her early career far outside of fashion to building a globally minded accessories company, MacDonald approaches luxury through a different lens; one rooted as much in people and process as in design, with a focus on environmental impact and responsibly-produced products.

While brands like Stella McCartney, DeMellier, and Cuyana have helped define the conversation around ethical sourcing and quiet luxury, Piper & Skye is taking a more nuanced approach: working with exotic skins sourced through biodiversity-focused initiatives, including sourcing INVERSA™ Python from Inversa Leathers, with an emphasis on protecting natural habitats. In this interview, MacDonald discusses her unconventional path into fashion, how she built a values-driven global brand, and where she sees the future of luxury fashion heading in the next decade.

Our conversation is centered on sustainability, transparency, and why the next era of luxury handbags will be defined by responsibility, not just design.

JOANNA MACDONALD, FOUNDER OF PIPER & SKYE

Where are you from originally?

I grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (dead-center in the middle of the continent). Coldest place on earth. Some refer to it as “WINTERPEG”. I went to university in Vancouver, BC, and also lived 8 years in Toronto, Canada.

Where do you live now and where is your business located?

I have spent much of my time the past 3 years in South Florida (outside Miami). Today I’m looking out from my home office window at gorgeous tropical flowers, birds singing, butterflies fluttering, and stunning views of the water. It’s such a colorful burst of creative inspiration being here, not to mention the health benefits of the humid air, the fresh ocean water, and the feeling of soft sand between your toes. As for my business, I have several locations throughout the U.S. handling various aspects of the operation (showrooms, artisan workshops, distribution centers). My team is spread across the North America. I consider Piper & Skye a global brand, much like myself…a global citizen.

You began your education in fashion design at the London School of Fashion, but didn’t start your career in fashion – what is your background and what path led you to create a luxury accessory brand?

I grew up as a high-level competitive highland dancer. I spent my summers and 4-5 nights a week with my coach and dance crew. It is here I learned what “sweat equity” means, the value of “putting-in the hours,” grueling endurance, and perseverance through tough times. We learned how to smile through injuries, present ourselves with confidence on a global stage, and what it really requires to be at the top of your game.

One of the biggest takeaways from my dance coach is the power of visualization. She taught us how to visualize ourselves, performing from start to finish, dancing perfectly – exactly how we want it done. At the time it felt silly, but now I know just how powerful visualization can be. If your mind can see it, your body can feel it, and in turn, your entire mindset can be shifted into gear to achieve what you desire. For me, it was often the dreaded sword dance which I visualized, performed exactly as I could dream it being executed. I maintain use of this skill as I move forward in life.

In my mid-twenties, after university, I moved back to Winnipeg to work at the family business. What was supposed to be 6 months with the company turned into 8 of the most glorious years of my life. Under the guidance of my HR Director, I was lucky enough to learn how heavy machinery and harvesting equipment is made. In my many roles within Human Resources, I had the opportunity to hire everything from welders to top tier IT directors. I managed disability and factory injuries, was trained in Six Sigma lean processes, sat on safety committees, and developed a health and wellness program for a company of over 1300 employees.

These roles taught me how a large manufacturing company can succeed with the right people, the right leadership, and quality as its top priority. The people-focused mentality is something I gained a deep appreciation for. “Business is about PEOPLE”, I was constantly reminded. I spent time on the shop floor learning about quality control, supply chain, packaging, branding, and marketing throughout these incredible years. Running a business, understanding how every detail comes together, and knowing the people supplying for and making your product is tantamount.

In the end it really is about the people. And having some fun along the way.

THE PIPER & SKYE CUSTOMER

Who is the Piper & Skye customer?

The Piper & Skye customer is one who lives life on their own terms, they wander, they explore, they have a genuine zest for life, and appreciate the subtle but finer things in life. They are style-conscious individuals who appreciate modest branding, unique and conversation-starting materials and styles, and of course impeccably crafted pieces. They choose Piper & Skye because they prioritize thoughtful and responsible luxury brands whom they can trust are truly making decisions for the best interest of people and planet. They are usually not the “wall-flower”…they are that one who commands the energy of the room as soon as they enter it.

SUSTAINABILITY AT IT’S CORE

Materials are central to your brand. How do you navigate the tension between using exotic materials and sustainability?

Education in this arena is desperately needed. For me it is all about waste reduction, chemical reduction, respect for the ecosystems from which our materials originate, and biodiversity. We adhere to a strict list of criteria to select and commit to the use of our raw materials (for more information, visit our website.)

We walk the walk and talk the talk. My company was built on the foundations at the core of sustainability before I knew that word existed. Piper & Skye is Butterfly Mark certified, an independent verification of ethical business and sustainable practices for the global luxury goods industry. It measures for the highest standards of a company’s tested and validated commitment to measurable benchmarks across the organization and how it operates within our world today. To see our results, click here.

We pride ourselves on aligning with a transparent supply chain and partnering with artisans, suppliers and all stakeholders, with the end goal being the creation of the most ethically-made luxury accessories available – with a lower carbon footprint than traditional leather. Our mission is to borrow from and honor the gifts of this planet, while deeply respecting ecosystems and encouraging healthy biodiversity globally. Everything we do is with intention and purpose. Our company selectively aligns only with partners who share our commitment to Respect, Responsibility, and Community.

Do you think consumers have caught up to the idea of responsible luxury, or is the industry still ahead of them?

Responsibility is just that – a commitment to doing what’s right. I believe luxury is headed to a place where those who do not recognize their inherent duty to operate responsibly will silently fade away – people won’t care about them any longer. In a world where many consumers have caught up with and prioritize responsible luxury, they are now demanding brand transparency, paying attention to those truly making a positive impact, and starting to lead the way with their purchasing decisions alongside appreciation for top brands that deliver continued quality designs with a genuine concern for and commitment to the planet and mankind.

Has it been difficult to build a supply chain that aligns with your values?

Not at all. The relationships I have with my suppliers and the companies I work with (some for 10 years now!) are comprised of people who I closely align with. I love the fact that I can show up any day, with or without notice, and I am welcomed with a huge smile, and feel like they are family. We have meals together. We talk about our families, the (fashion) industry, future plans and dreams, and the best part: how we can DO BETTER. I have dedicated substantial time to building a supply chain founded on community, responsibility and respect. These core values guide my approach to everything I do – professionally and personally.

The luxury handbag market is incredibly saturated. What do you think Piper & Skye does differently?

We spend a significant amount of time learning where our customer spends their time. What do they do in their leisure time? Where do they travel? Where do they stay when they travel? What is their favorite place to grab a coffee, a meal, a facial? What sports or hobbies are they into? What do they do for fun? And we work to meet them there. It is this genuine attempt to understand our customer that I believe sets us apart. Of course, it is also our exquisite materials, bright and eye-catching color options, and finely crafted accessories that set us apart as an emerging leader in responsible luxury.

THE FUTURE OF LUXURY FASHION AND SUSTAINABILITY

Do you think sustainability will become standard or remain a differentiator?

Sustainability is already the standard. The question is: who gets to decide what the “standard” is? Consumers are now participating in the storytelling of brands, looking into their stated facts, understanding how to really decipher truth vs story. Consumers no longer accept what they are being told – they want proof. The differentiator is the brands who make it easy for the consumer to trust them…because they are trustworthy, and they prove it. I expect to continue to see a rapid incline in the number of trustworthy, truth-telling brands who really care and are proud to share it.

Where do you see the luxury industry heading in the next 5–10 years?

Given the state of the world we are living in, with so much instability and the difficulty of sorting through what is true vs. what is not true, I believe that people are searching for anything they can truly TRUST to be true. This can apply to everything from the news channels we watch, the things we read on our social media feeds, AI-generated content, and of course the brands we can truly trust. The list goes on. Luxury has long been an industry people haven’t trusted. I foresee the luxury industry transforming itself into one of those rare things in life people CAN trust…wow, what a shift this would be!

Big brands that have the wherewithal and financial ability to do things right are going to HAVE TO. Emerging brands are going to HAVE TO be built on strong foundations of operating thoughtfully, purposefully, and in the end, without causing harm to anyone or anything. I believe this will be the new reality we will start to see – sooner than later.

RAPIDFIRE QUESTIONS

The first bag you ever owned & loved:

A Coach python-embossed, moon-shaped bag with a twisted leather shoulder strap, silver hardware, an amazingly smooth zipper, and a leather charm dangling on one side. I carried this bag for YEARS. (Don’t tell my mom, but I may have “borrowed” it from her closet and never returned it).

A material you’re obsessed with right now:

Upcycled/recycled denim.

One design rule you always follow:

Shoulder bags and totes need to have a sufficiently long handle-drop to enable what I call the “Single Shoulder Swoop.” This allows the wearer to shift the bag up to and over the shoulder without employing the use of the opposite hand. In this day and age, we often have a cell phone or a coffee on the other hand. This seemingly minor design detail makes my life just that much more seamless 🙂

One fashion rule you love to break:

Wear white after Labor Day! Mix shades of white! Pantone’s “Color of the Year” for 2026 is Cloud Dancer. It is a LOT of fun blending off-whites with pure whites, beiges with tans, pearl white with denim in white. Mix all the shades of white for a dreamy monochromatic look that feels like you are literally dancing on the clouds. Note: This is much easier done if one has the luxury of living in South Florida.

Your personal favorite Piper & Skye product:

The Braemar Tote is the style I carry most. I designed this bag for business meetings. It has two open pockets that each fit cellphones (or lip gloss/lipstick), a lengthwise zipper pocket, and a magnetic-snap pocket for a laptop or ipad. The rest of the interior can fit a water bottle, notepad, small cosmetic bag, etc. It has two top handles (these ones sit at the crook of the elbow) and a removable shoulder strap.

I designed this bag so I don’t have to look into my bag to pull out my pen (always in the zipper pocket), my lip gloss, my cell phone, nor my notebook or laptop. I know where everything is without having to glance away from the discussion at-hand. Walking into a boardroom carrying the Braemar Tote feels like nothing else. I am armed with confidence, exuding the energy of a “boss babe” and it never fails to impress. I love it in cobalt blue, bright yellow, and of course the Black Label Alligator.

LUXURY HANDBAGS WITH A MISSION

At its core, Piper & Skye is building more than just a collection of beautiful accessories; it’s shaping a business model grounded in responsibility, transparency, and long-term impact. From ethically-made leather bags and responsibly sourced exotic skins to an ongoing exploration of renewable materials, Piper & Skye’s handbags reflect a deeper commitment to positive luxury in the world of fashion. With their distinctive use of bright colors and thoughtful design, each piece of fashion is created with intention, reinforcing that the core of Piper & Skye lies not only in how something looks, but in how it’s made and the impact it leaves behind.

Visit Piper & Skye to see the entire collection.