About Fletcher Whyte

A Brotherhood. A Vision. A Legacy.

Our Story

Fletcher Whyte started as a conversation between two friends and became a small company built on trust and shared work. An idea from college turned into making men's leather goods for daily use. We build with care, keep the details simple, and let the materials speak.

"Brotherhood is all-encompassing. It crosses gender, it crosses ethnicity. It's a connection on humanity," explains Omar, one of our founders.

Where Did Our Name Come From?

Fletcher Whyte carries personal meaning for the founders, Montrice White and Omar Laidlow. The name joins Omar's family name, Fletcher, in honor of his late brother Darius, with Montrice's surname.

"The name comes from my brother who I wanted to honor in starting this brand," Omar shares. "I came across a lot of material that he and I shared on different ideas, on things that we'd want to do in the future."

The Founders - Montrice on the left and Omar on the right in Lisbon, Portugal

Montrice (left) and Omar (right) in Lisbon, Portugal

From Italy to Portugal: A Global Search for Excellence

Italy - 2018

Their first prototype was a learning experience. "It came out not exactly the way we expected," Omar admits "But it was an eye-opener... it spurned us to be like, oh, this is real. This can be really real if we just keep pursuing it."

Korea - 2019

Travel became part of the work. "We didn't have anything lined up when we got there," Omar explains. They asked around, visited shops and factories, and met makers who were willing to sample with them.

Los Angeles - 2022

Production shifted to Los Angeles, where the craftsmanship was strong but the factories pushed for larger runs. Our aim, however, was the opposite: to keep production small so each of our pieces felt close to one-to-one, not mass produced.

Portugal - 2026

Portugal has a long tradition of craftsmanship, with skilled artisans producing for luxury houses. Their expertise, passed down from artisans and schools, continues to thrive today.

The Learning Journey

Neither founder came from fashion. Montrice works as a film editor in Hollywood, and Omar is an utility mechanic. They learned by doing and asking questions, taking a practical approach rather than relying on formal training.

"We were very transparent that we didn't know what we were doing," Omar reflects. Their education came through travel, research, and countless conversations with industry experts.

They went to trade shows, walked factory floors, and asked for time with pattern makers, early on. Omar was often the only person who looked like him at these events, and being direct about their aim earned respect there.

Legacy in Every Piece

Every Fletcher Whyte product is designed to be an heirloom piece. "The vision is to have heirloom pieces where 50, 100 years from now, we definitely want a Fletcher Whyte product to be with somebody in their family," Omar explains.

"Be Audacious, Discover Fletcher Whyte"

Durability matters; our Togo Togo full-grain leather and solid Raccagini hardware are made to hold up. The surface picks up marks from use, the color deepens, and the bag carries its owner's routine over time. Kept up, it becomes something you can hand down.

Portuguese Craftsmanship: Where Quality Meets Tradition

Today, our products are made in Portugal, by artisans where leather is the daily trade. We chose Portugal for their skilled artisans, and because the work fits how we want to build and finish each piece.

"We wanted to match the level of material and quality as those same heritage brands, but stand out on a more organic connection to clients," Omar notes.

Heritage Materials

Togo full-grain hides, top luxury grade quality.

Traditional Methods

Generations of expertise, with meticulous attention to detail.

Organic Connection

Made to be used in everyday life, not simply displayed on a shelf.

The Fletcher Whyte Man

Fletcher Whyte customers care less about labels and more about use day to day. He buys fewer things and expects them to last. Price is not the point; fit and finish are. He wants straightforward design, good leather, and a story that feels true.

"The words that's always gonna be resonant in what we're discussing is our brotherhood and legacy," "Family, people that could connect on the importance of family and the importance of relationships."

Looking Forward

As the company grows, we keep the same starting points. We measure success by whether a customer reaches for a Fletcher Whyte bag years later and likes the feel and look, more than by units shipped or how fast something sells.

We are building a steady business that respects what came before and plans ahead. We sell direct and work with a small set of retailers and honest pricing. Each touchpoint should explain the work clearly and connect with people who care about materials and make.

In the end, Fletcher Whyte is about people. We make leather goods, but the point is the ties they carry and the stories that last over time.

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