THE LOVE STORY

It all began in 1993, in a café in Melbourne, when Penelope served a cappuccino to Olivier, a globe-trotter passing through. The connection was instant. A year later, Penelope — a ceramic artist and creative spirit — left everything behind to join him in Paris. Their love story soon turned into a creative adventure. Just “for the fun of it,” they began designing lightweight, colorful bags, crafted in local Parisian workshops. They sold them on the vintage markets of the capital. In 1996, Brontibay was officially born — a nod to Bronte Beach and Byron Bay, their two favorite beaches in Australia.

 

 

CREATION & INSPIRATION

Driven by a strong identity, Brontibay bags have captivated from the very beginning. Their early success inspired the founding duo to create a first collection of original silhouettes: satin nylon bags in vibrant tones, elevated with carefully selected leathers. Over time, the range grew to include retro-inspired small leather goods and pieces crafted from supple, natural, or vintage-effect leather.

Closely linked to the world of ready-to-wear, Brontibay’s design draws inspiration from vintage fashion: fluid fabrics, pleats, ties, and darts… These details shape soft, often rounded volumes, far from the rigid structure of traditional flat-bottomed bags. Our creative approach is rooted in this spirit of refinement — reimagining the past, breaking conventions, and daring unexpected combinations — to spark a genuine emotion and share it.