SYDNIE BANKS
Sydnie Peebles, the visionary force behind Sydnie Banks, is redefining luxury in handbags one stitch at a time. Armed with an art degree and a fervor for creativity, Peebles began her artistic journey through cowboy boot making under the guidance of, Lisa Sorrell. Yet, life’s trials led her to found Bijou Browns, a tribute to her stillborn son, Banks. From this grief emerged a renewed passion, giving birth to Sydnie Banks—a testament to resilience, creativity and craftsmanship.
Sydnie Banks, née Peebles, stands as a beacon of artistry and inspiration. Rooted in a family that cherished art, creativity flowed in her veins from an early age. “I grew up in a home where art was a way of life,” she reminisces. “My father is a bronze sculptor, and our house was adorned with found and handmade treasures.” Sydnie’s artistic journey didn’t follow a conventional path, but it was one infused with passion and determination. As she navigated her way through life, her affinity for crafting and artistry started to take shape.
Fast forward to 2010, when a serendipitous encounter sparked a transformative idea. Sydnie stumbled upon Marcel Mrsán, a craftsman renowned for handmaking men’s dress shoes. “It was like a lightbulb went off in my head,” she recalls. “I realized that I could combine my love for creativity with the joy of crafting something tangible.” The decision to
explore the art of shoemaking opened a new chapter in Sydnie’s life. Cowboy boots are notorious for being the most difficult to make, so I knew that once I conquered it, I’d be set for my next challenge,” adds Sydnie.
Yet, life threw some unexpected and heartbreaking curveballs Sydnie’s way. Starting with the dilemma of pursuing her husband’s career, which entailed constant relocation.
In her pursuit of artistic expression, Sydnie started making baby booties. These tiny creations took on a profound significance when she faced the heartbreak of losing her stillborn son. During her grief, crafting these booties became a source of solace, and she continued making them as a heartfelt gesture for others who had suffered similar losses. This experience laid the foundation for what would become her first brand, Bijou Browns. Named after her late brother, “he always wore these ugly sandals, calling
them his ‘browns’, whether you’d be hiking or by the sea they were always on his feet. He was taken from us too soon and was laid to rest wearing them. When I was creating my first booties, I wanted to pay homage to him and the power of memories of a loved one, says Sydnie. The logo too, nods to him, as footprints are those of her brother when he was just a baby and so every Bijou Brown shoe carries a bit of him with them as Sydnie she was crafting memories and moments of solace.
Sydnie’s transition to luxury handbags marked the birth of Sydnie Banks. The journey towards excellence led Sydnie to seek mentorship from the best in the field as she studied with master saddle-stitcher Charlie Trevor in his studio in Winston, England. The rigorous training pushed her limits, and she emerged from it with a deep well of knowledge and the confidence to craft luxury handbags of the highest calibre.