THE ITAPAGIPE COURO COLLECTION
From Left to Right: the Paripe Backpack, the Kirimurê Handbag & the Pirajá Dopp Kit. Available now.
A Story from Salvador, Bahia
In 2020 I met someone in Toronto who changed how I see the world.
He's from Salvador, Bahia. And when he talks about his home, you hear it—the pride, the history, the connection. He doesn't just tell you facts about a place; he tells you why it matters. That's who he is. Someone who knows where he comes from and isn't afraid to say it.
When he took me to Salvador for the first time, I finally understood why.
The city moves differently than anywhere else I've been. There's music in the streets, real community in the markets, and this sense that everything means something. He showed me around like he was sharing part of himself—pointing out neighborhoods, telling me the stories behind the names, sharing what his mother used to tell him.
That's when he started mentioning the Tupi words. The original language of the land. How the place names—Kirimurê, Abaeté, Periperi, Itapuã—they all describe something real about the landscape and the people who understood it first. He'd say things like, "Did you know Itapagipe means 'flat stone in the river'?" with this genuine excitement. It wasn't academic to him. It was his heritage.
Sitting there listening to him, I realized something: I wanted to honor that. Not by pretending it's mine, but by keeping it alive. By using those names.
By making sure they stay in the world.
So I made these bags. Each one carries the name of a Salvador neighborhood or landmark, rooted in the Tupi language. When you carry an Abaeté or an Itapuã, you're carrying more than leather and craftsmanship. You're carrying history. You're speaking words that have echoed through centuries. In some small way, you're keeping that heritage alive too.
These are meant to last. They'll age, they'll change, they'll develop character. They'll become better with time and use—just like the stories they carry.
I made this for you. And in a way, I made it for him too.
Richardt
Welcome to Protea & Maple: Our Story is Live.
Hello, and welcome.
After months of late nights, learning curves, and countless stitches, I am incredibly proud and excited to announce that The Protea & Maple Leather Company is officially live.
This isn't just the launch of a new website and an online store. This is the new home for a passion that started by complete chance and has grown into a craft I'm proud to share with you.
For those of you who are new here, my story probably isn't what you'd expect.
By day, I've spent over a decade navigating the complex world of Financial Crime and AML Consulting—a field defined by structure, analysis, and a constant attention to detail. That part of my career brings stability, but it's only one side of who I am.
I practically grew up in my mother's studio. As an interior designer, she'd be at her sewing machine late into the night, and I was always nearby, watching her work. It wasn’t long before I went from observing to helping out myself. Some of my first memories are of sitting at her vintage hand-sewing machine, trying to make my own creations. I was so passionate that even after I managed to sew my hand to the fabric once, I just kept going—making pillows, book covers, and a few disastrous attempts at my own shirts.
Who knew those nights would one day pay off? My mom always encouraged creativity, even when it meant letting a determined kid learn through trial and error.
As I got older, that creative drive never faded—it just took on new forms. During my teenage years, I spent countless hours sketching surrealistic pencil portraits, always trying to capture the smallest details and emotions in a face. Later, I began painting with acrylics, exploring color and expression in a whole new way. Yet, no matter where my art took me, I kept coming back to hands-on, tactile craft—the kind I learned right there beside my mom.
This chapter with leather started almost by accident, not so long ago. After unexpectedly losing my job, I found myself uncertain about what would come next. Around that time, my watch strap broke—no crisis, just a minor inconvenience. Instead of searching for a new one, I thought, "Why not try making it myself, just the way I wanted?"
So, I did. I salvaged a strap from an old bag, taught myself some basics, and stitched something simple yet functional. The satisfaction in making something with my own hands struck a familiar chord. That small project sparked a bigger idea—could I try making a bag?
A few months down the line, The Protea & Maple Leather Company came to life. It's still a part-time pursuit—my consulting work pays the bills—but leathercraft is my passion. I almost skipped my first market event, second-guessing myself, but the encouragement I received confirmed that I was onto something meaningful.
Protea—representing my South African roots—symbolizes resilience and possibility. Maple—my Canadian home—stands for endurance and strength. This brand is the meeting point of both worlds. My work is "Designed to Flourish, Made to Last," shaped by the discipline and precision honed in consulting, but guided by the artist I've always been and the maker my mother helped nurture.
It's a personal journey, and I'm proud to share my craft with you.
What's Next?
Here on the new website, you can finally browse and shop the full collection. Every item is made by my hands, right here in Toronto.
But this is also the start of our community. I'm excited to share the process, the new designs, and the stories behind the craft on our new social media platforms. I invite you to follow along:
Follow us on Instagram: @proteamapleleatherco
Follow us on Facebook: The Protea & Maple Leather Company
Thank you for being here. Whether you're one of the amazing people I met at my first market or you're just finding us today, your support means the world.
This is just the beginning.
Welcome to Protea & Maple.
— Richardt