A well-crafted bag or leather good is more than just an accessory—it’s a work of art. That’s precisely what Minor History has mastered with its minimalist, sustainable designs. We sat down with the team to uncover the inspiration, craftsmanship, and philosophy behind the brand.
What inspired you to start Minor History, and how did the concept come to life?
The inspiration behind Minor History came from a seemingly simple moment: Hillary Ortiz, now Minor History’s Head of Community & Brand Partnerships, bought a designer handbag for her birthday, and when she showed it to her husband- who has an extensive background in manufacturing and design - he immediately started analyzing the design. He pointed out the stitching and suggested ways it could be done better. Eventually he took the bag and ripped it apart exposing the layers of nylon and plastic that lined the bag. That moment sparked a realization for them. They were frustrated by the fashion industry's tendency to offer overpriced, low-quality products that often sacrificed both the customer’s experience and the environment.
In 2015, Minor History was born by co-founders Dave Ortiz, and Topher O'Rourke. The mission has always been clear: to offer superior craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and timeless designs. Today, what truly sets us apart is our commitment to quality, which continues to guide everything we create. We believe in thoughtful design that stands the test of time, offering pieces that not only last but are cherished for years to come.
How did the name come to be?
The name Minor History reflects both our aesthetic- serious yet playful- and our philosophy. We design with all of life’s ‘minor’ moments in mind, knowing that, in the end, those moments are what truly shape your history.
Every piece is intentionally crafted to be part of your everyday story, seamlessly fitting into your daily travels, nights out, and everything in between. We’ve always believed that the bags you carry should move with you through all of life’s chapters- both big and small- becoming a part of your personal history.
Describe Minor History’s ethos
Your leather should last a lifetime. This is why we started Minor History: to create better quality leather pieces worth your time, that stand the test of time. We believe that quality products with sustainable practices, and fair prices can live in harmony. Our goal is to reveal a higher standard of products by arming you with honest products you always reach for that keep up with your life for life.
Our standards: 100% real, full grain leather, solid brass hardware, no plastic fillers.
Who has inspired you the most?
“I’ve been lucky to have a community of strong women shape me- through both the major moments and the everyday minor ones. From childhood to now, I’ve been surrounded by women who lead with vision, style, and purpose. Their resilience, creativity, and confidence have always been my main source of inspiration and guidance both in my personal and professional life.
When creating products for Minor History, I have them in mind. I think about what they would need- what would complement their lifestyles, their ambitions, and their voices. Our products are a reflection of them: effortlessly adaptable, bold yet understated, and better with age!” - Emily Hayward, President, Brand Strategy & Operations
What influences your creative process?
Our design approach always starts with the material itself. We let the leather take center stage, keeping panels as large and uninterrupted as possible to preserve its natural beauty and durability. By avoiding liners and fillers, our designs remain just as refined on the inside as they are on the outside, ensuring every detail is built for lasting quality.
Our creative process is rooted in longevity and intentionality. We don’t design just to keep up with trends or launch product- we create with purpose, filling the real gaps in our customer’s lives with pieces that will stand the test of time.
Before releasing any design, we put it to the test in our own lives, making sure it seamlessly moves through both the minor and major moments. The Getaway Duffle is a perfect example - created out of a real need for a versatile, timeless travel companion, this duffle came on all our trips for a full year before we were ready to finalize the design.
“Real life product testing is one of the most important parts of the creative process that we never skip. The first week long trip that I brought the initial prototype of The Getaway Duffle on, I was quite literally sending the team messages daily with ideas and revisions for how to improve the bag.” - Emily Hayward, President, Brand Strategy & Operations
Ultimately, our creative process is about designing with purpose, refining with intention, and ensuring that every piece we create becomes a lasting part of our customers’ lives.
MinorHistory.com | @minorhistorynyc
“We’ve all carried the Afterparty Clutch through both the minor and major moments- first dates, girls’ nights out, best friends’ weddings and special trips. It’s become a part of our lives, which is exactly what we hoped for when we designed it.” -Madeline Fitzgerald, Merchandising Lead
We create modern accessible heirlooms. We want our customer to know this is the bag they can use day after day and still pass down to a loved one in the future. We transform durable leather into every part of your routine, from your morning coffee run, to your commute, to your dream vacation. Visually, we are creating an aspirational lifestyle, but functionally are still very much grounded in our customer’s reality- from practical design to pricing. Our customer has a timeless style. Every design starts with her day in mind. She prefers to invest in forever pieces over fast-fashion for quality and ethical considerations. We build our collection around her day, her lifestyle, and her ambition
"We design with all of life’s ‘minor’ moments in mind, knowing that, in the end, those moments are what truly shape your history."