Seymour Mondshein

It’s All About the Bags…
It’s what musicians say about their passion for music, and it’s how Seymour Mondshein and Lisa Martin feel about their backpacks, purses, and hip bags created in leather and tapestry. Even after celebrating over 20 years working together, these are two people who can still get excited about a new pocket for a cell phone or Ipod.

A Tradition…
The origins of Maple Leather Company and GreatBags® can be found in craftsmanship and skills passed down from generation to generation. Seymour Mondshein / Lisa Martin started making bags at the age of eleven in the back of his father’s Maple Fur Shop in Newark, New Jersey. Abraham Mondshein was a European-trained furrier and Holocaust survivor who loved to have his son in his workshop after school. Through trial and error, plus coursework at both F.I.T. and Parsons School of Design in New York City, Seymour’s designs have evolved to the many different styles and collections that you can see today. The couple met when Lisa came to New Jersey to be the Textiles artist-in-residence at Peters Valley Craft Center, and the rest is history.

The Design Philosophy…
“We strive to create work of lasting beauty, designs which are both durable and functional. Every bag we make is designed to provide the user with maximum convenience, comfort, and style. In that process, we use only the finest materials available and the highest levels of craftsmanship. We search the international market for the finest leathers and textiles available and are proud of the high quality we select. All our bags are proudly made in the U.S.A.”