Libby Mitchell, The Story of the Libb in Add Libb
From a young age I spent hours stowed away in the workshop of our historic countryside home simply creating. I was always driven to design things that were functional. In my mind there was something uniquely challenging about the nuances of fashioning something that was both beautiful and useful at the same time. I made boxes out of countless materials, from wood, to stained glass, to wool, and grasses. Between living in a very old house that needed constant restoration and my craft hobbies, I was so skilled with my mitts by my teenage years, that my college essay was about my hands and how my scars spoke to my many constructive experiences.
After graduating from UVa with a BA in Anthropology in 2005, I promptly relocated to Charleston, SC; a land of artistic individuals and entrepreneurs. Having come from a family of small-business owners, it took only 2 years immersed in such a vibrant art and fashion scene before I called my mother to tell her that I started a business, selling handbags at the award-winning Charleston Farmer’s Market. You would think it a humble sounding venue, but this was a market that boasted countless distinctive vendors of handcrafted goods.
Improvising my way through a life chock-full of diy endeavors is sort of my bag, so when it came time to pick a name for this business of crafting little works of wearable art, Add Libb just seemed to fit. Add Libb was born in late 2007 and I have never looked back.
By 2009 I began travelling all over the country to exhibit at the nation’s most distinguished fine art festivals. Many of Add Libb’s most avid collectors first discovered my brand at these shows, for which I am ever grateful. Add Libb Handbags can now be found at several boutiques and galleries, as well as online.
I am a fiber artist, constantly covered in bits of thread and fabric fluff. When I am not sewing, or chasing my stubborn and crafty daughters around, I can be found in my garage, coated in saw dust and holding a woodworking tool I inherited from grandfather. I am proud to have come from a family of makers and I think maybe, just maybe, my girls will follow. Wondering what they will one day be caked in brings me such joyful thoughts I cannot tell you.
Thank you for your curiosity and I hope you find what you are looking for.
About Us
At Add Libb, we believe that art is not just an expression—it is a cultural necessity. Our purpose as artisans is to apply our ingenuity to transform raw materials into functional works of art, honoring the essence of each piece of leather, fabric and metal by elevating them beyond their initial form and function.
Our handbags are handcrafted in the USA by skilled artisans, blending timeless design with thoughtful craftsmanship. Each creation reflects our commitment to artistry and durability, standing against the fleeting trends of fast fashion. Operating on a small-batch, bespoke methodology, we are continually reaching for new materials and thus new sources of inspiration, ensuring every new work of wearable art is as distinctive as the hands that make it.
This process is not “expensive”, but it is costly—the cost of time, care, and dedication to create something meaningful. We believe in crafting items that endure, both in quality and style, for those who understand that true luxury lies in artistry, purpose and the stories carried within every stitch.
