Farrell & Co. is a handmade leather goods company based in Maine, and it is run by Megan Farrell.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. My name is Meg Farrell and I hand make leather goods on the coast of Maine. I make leather wallets, bags, cases and belts.
How did your interest in art or fashion begin? My interest in fashion began when I moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design. Living in the city I was surrounded the most well and interestingly dressed people. Riding the subway to school I’d see someone wearing something that I was attracted to and would think, “I’m gonna find an outfit like that, she looks awesome!” My line of leather goods has a slight 70’s feel to it, which is from the direct influence of the Rock and Roll and Folk music scenes of the 70’s. Growing up my mother and father would listen to old folk records, so from a very young age I started dressing like a hippie. I think a Farrell & Co. bag, particularly the Envelope Bag in Tan, looks absolutely great with a straw hat, flowy white top and dark high waisted jeans. It’s very Stevie Nicks. They also look great with so many other outfits but that one always stands out to me.
Describe your current studio or workspace. I just recently moved into a rustic attic space in my house which I’m just loving right now. It’s a little dark and slightly hot but it’s large and beautiful. I just love the floors and the crazy angled roof.
Top 3 favorite or most visited websites and why? I look at a lot of Tumblr sites, one of my favorites is A Well Traveled Woman. Bekah has great style and I always find tons of inspiration on her blog. Lady and Pups is one of my favorite food blogs. Mandy makes the most incredible things and I mean incredible. Like check out this amazing sandwich, doesn’t this looks delicious? Tomboy Style is a website I’m constantly using as a resource for inspiration. Lizzie Garrett Mettler does an amazing job at curating vintage fashion photos and current fashion designers.
How has living in Maine affected your work? Living by the sea has definitely affected my work. The new Canteen Bag is directly influenced by the actual canteen holder style. Here in Maine, especially in the mid-coast, there’re tons of antique stores and people who love a more rustic camp style. I kept seeing these old canteen holders at these stores, and it just clicked one day where all I wanted to do was make this leather Canteen bag that was super causal but interesting. Antique shopping definitely helps me develop new designs; it’s one of my favorite things to do with my free time.
Who would you ideally like to collaborate with? I would love to collaborate Imogene and Willie. It seems like Nashville is turning out all these incredibly talented and interesting artists and designers like Imogene and Willie. Their clothing is absolutely beautiful, and they go perfectly with F & Co pieces. I would love to collaborate on a bag specially made for them. A vintage inspired leather bag goes perfectly with a pair of well crafted dark denim jeans, don’t you think?
What designers are you interested in right now? I’m loving Elizabeth Suzann’s 2014 line. It’s so simple but elegant and sophisticated. I’m dying to wear the Cal Skirt!!! Maura Grace Ambrose of Folk Fibers is always inspiring. Her quilts are so beautiful and incredibly crafted; it’s hard not to like her work. Plus, they look like an old quilt some little old lady made in the south back when quilts were all made by hand.
What’s your absolute favorite place in the city/the world to be? This secluded quiet cove off the coast of Maine in Brooksville. It’s the best place to find sand dollars. The ocean is like home to me. I’m not sailor and I don’t necessarily love the open ocean, but the shoreline anywhere around the world would be a favorite place of mine.
Favorite article of clothing? I’ve been really into wearing this army green colored button down from Zara lately. Its the perfect light jacket to wear on cool days and here in Maine most days are cool.
What kinds of things are influencing your work right now? SUMMER!!!! I’m so happy it’s summer; we had a really long winter in Maine this past year and I’m so happy its starting to warm up.
