This isn’t just about handbags. It’s an applause for women who think for themselves—who love beauty with substance, and who defy expectation, quietly or boldly.
I spent over 30 years as a corporate executive in international business. It was fast-paced, all-consuming, full of highs and lows—and I learned a great deal, especially about people. Early in my career, fresh out of university, I asked a board director for advice on success. His reply? Wear less colour. Fit in. I gave it a fair try, but neither proved to be my forte.
After years of budget meetings, strategy off-sites, and relentless PowerPoint decks, I chose a new path—one that brought me back to a childhood love of making beautiful things.
Chouette Sauvageonne is for women who prefer to stand apart from the crowd—who are untempted by the “same bag everywhere” syndrome.
We create limited-edition pieces, each numbered and released in small batches. I spent over two years learning the craft of handbag making: studying construction, materials, and finish; understanding what separates the ordinary from the exceptional; and finding outstanding artisans to work with.
In a world dulled by beige and conformity, I’ve always been drawn to boldness and brilliance—in people, in design, in history, and in spirit.
My inspiration comes from the courageous women of history—especially Tudor queen Elizabeth I, an icon of intellect and resolve—and from the owl, an enigmatic symbol of wisdom and wonder. Together, they animate the spirit of Chouette Sauvageonne: for the bold, the wise, and the unforgettable.
Mary Alexander
Founder & Creative Director
The ruff collar, a signature of Tudor and Renaissance queens, inspires our registered trademark.
A hallmark of Renaissance fashion, it was more than an accessory: it framed the face, asserted authority, and signalled presence, poise, and power.
Chouette Sauvageonne is the name of our house; a bold, creative force grounded in individuality. Our first collections of bags are labelled Chouette Sauvage—a name we continue to use proudly on the pieces themselves, as a mark of their original spirit and identity.
