OUR FOUNDER

VERSE began in 2017 in the quiet hum of a garage, where founder Shelley Lee found herself at a crossroads. What started as a simple exploration of leather became the beginning of an uncharted journey, an embrace of creativity and craftsmanship.

From her first experimental pouches to designs realized in collaboration with skilled local artisans, each piece at VERSE is thoughtfully made to accompany the seeker’s soul. Driven by the practical and aesthetic needs of the modern explorer. 

CRAFT

EARTHY LUXURY FOR YOUR EVERY DAY

Designed and handcrafted in our Woodstock studio in Cape Town, each piece is a celebration of leather’s inherent poetry—softening and developing a patina over time is it begins to tell the story of its wearer.

Our leather is sourced from South African tanneries, using hides that are a byproduct of the local farming and agriculture industries. This sustainable approach repurposes leather that would otherwise go to waste, contributing to a circular economy.

In every form, craftsmanship at VERSE is about preserving a tradition while instilling it with a modern relevance. There’s a quiet luxury in something crafted by hand, an intimacy in knowing each piece has passed through the hands of artisans who imbue it with soul. We believe the true value of our goods lies not only in their physical beauty but in their ability to connect with the human spirit—a luxury you can feel rather than merely see.