About us

How my little shop began

Hello, I’m Claire Hemswick, the owner of Hemswick London. Bags have been a weakness of mine for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I loved visiting small local shops and taking the time to look through every shelf. I enjoyed finding lovely pieces at a sensible price and helping friends find something they would actually carry every day. For years, having my own shop was simply a thought at the back of my mind. Nearly 18 years ago, I finally decided to give it a proper go and opened a small shop here in London. It began with just a few shelves, a little counter and a collection I had chosen myself. From the very first morning, I wanted everyone who visited to feel welcome and know that they were buying from someone who genuinely cared.

What we do today

Hemswick London has grown since those early days, but we still work with the same personal care. These days we do one thing properly rather than a hundred things half well, and that one thing is our quilted travel duffle. I choose designs that are lovely to look at and genuinely practical — roomy enough for a few days away, light enough to carry through a station, and smart enough that you are happy to be seen with it. We now send orders to women across the UK, although I still want shopping with us to feel like visiting a small local shop. If you have a question, there is always a real person here who will take the time to help you properly. Every order includes free Royal Mail delivery, with tracking updates that allow you to follow your parcel all the way to your door.

Why I still enjoy it

People sometimes ask how long I plan to continue running Hemswick London. The honest answer is that I have no plans to stop any time soon. Turning something I love into my everyday work is something I never take for granted. I still enjoy finding new designs, seeing which ones people take to, and hearing from customers who come back for a second bag in another pattern. Every order, kind message and returning customer helps this small London shop continue. Thank you for visiting Hemswick London and for supporting something that began as one woman’s little dream nearly 18 years ago.

Warm wishes,

Claire