The Ghurka story begins at an antiquities auction in the early 1970s where the company’s founder, Marley Hodgson, fueled by his love of history and leather craft, bid on campaign gear made for a Ghurka regimental officer stationed in India during the early 1900s. Inspired by the rugged elegance and workmanship of the 75-year-old leather, Hodgson made his first bag, a leather knapsack, for his young son. Ghurka continues to cater to what Hodgson called the “quiet confidence and adventurous spirit” of the Ghurka client. The assortment of iconic designs and new classics are made not to withstand life’s adventures, but to be molded by them, making each bag a unique heirloom.
Robert Williams, president of Ghurka, said, “We have been handcrafting timeless classics since 1975, now we are at an exciting trajectory of the company’s history as we begin to launch our luxury collections to specialty and department stores nationwide and internationally at Tomorrowland Japan. We are fortunate to have our talented Creative Director, John Truex, painstakingly restoring our archival silhouettes, elevating and updating them to today’s standards. He’s now creating new lifestyle & leisure styles that include bags for golf and tennis. In addition, Ghurka is adding new team members in sales, marketing and e-commerce to support this exciting brand growth in all areas.”
At Ghurka, the mission is to create iconic American designs to accompany a life well-lived. They work with the finest craftsmen within the U.S. and Europe and look to create more opportunities for the next generation of leather craftsmen through production expansion, skilled training and employee education.
A Ghurka bag operates in all worlds equally and admirably from east to west, from city to country. A Ghurka bag is as international as it is American, as cosmopolitan as it is local, as rooted in history as it is consistently changing. Every mark recalls a past adventure and creates anticipation for the next journey.
“It is important for me to layer in new ideas – as long as it fits into the Ghurka DNA. We are working around a feeling of lightness and soft construction to compliment the heritage collection that Ghurka is known for,” said Creative Director John Truex.
True style doesn’t change from season to season; it’s timeless. Pieces like a little black dress or jeans and a white tee shirt are always fashionable and never go out of style. In the same way, Ghurka creates classic, reliable pieces that you can always count on to look and feel great. They’re ageless, can be worn for decades and elevate whatever you wear them with.
As with many things in life, a Ghurka only gets better with age and experience. A lived-in and well-loved Ghurka becomes marked with moments large and small—what you reach for to remember past journeys and light the spark for future endeavors. For nearly half a century, the iconic designs have been trusted companions for some of the world’s most influential leaders, athletes and celebrities.
