Our values

We believe in a slower pace. In fewer things, made better. In objects that gather meaning with time.

Kohl & Cochineal bags are made to be worn, lived with, and loved for years to come.

We are not interested in fast-lived trends or the constant cycle of newness. Instead, we seek timelessness through considered design, thoughtful craftsmanship and carefully selected materials chosen for their beauty, tactility, and longevity.

Every bag is handmade in our small workroom in Whakatū, Nelson, New Zealand — slowly, deliberately and with a deep respect for the process of making.

Bags Made at the time of order.

Many pieces in the collection are made especially for you, at the time your order is placed.

Rather than producing large quantities in anticipation of demand, we work in small batches and limited editions, allowing our production to respond thoughtfully to what is needed.

Most made-to-order pieces are dispatched within 6–10 working days. Pre-collection releases may require a little longer, with estimated timing noted on each product page.

Producing in small batches and limited editions means our product is timed to meet demand rather than to encourage excess. By stepping away from the pace and volume of mass production, we can give each piece the attention it deserves — while creating with greater intention and less waste.

For us, it is about how we choose to live with the things we bring into our lives: fewer, better, more meaningful things, made to endure.

About Kohl & Cochineal

Kohl & Cochineal is the work of designer and maker Louise Leggat, whose practice has evolved over nearly two decades.

A creative inquisitor by nature, Louise explores the spaces between design and art, moving across disciplines including fashion, textiles and interiors. Her approach is grounded in a fascination with form, material and the everyday objects that surround us.

Louise completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Ilam School of Fine Arts before studying fashion design at Massey University in Wellington and later teaching textile design at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology.

Today, her focus is Kohl & Cochineal — a collection of beautiful, tactile objects designed to be worn, carried and lived with.

Each bag is made by hand in Whakatū, on the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand