Lancaster

Lancaster is a Paris leather goods brand founded in 1990 by Thomas Tchen. It makes handbags, backpacks and accessories and sells through more than 1,000 integrated points of sale.

What is Lancaster?

Lancaster is a French leather goods brand headquartered in Paris. French Wikipedia credits Thomas Tchen as founder and gives 1990 as the founding year. The brand makes handbags, backpacks and accessories.

History

Lancaster's first bag, the Magic, launched in 1996. In 2012 it acquired the competing brand Sequoia Paris, opened its first store on Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, designed by Ora-ito, and partnered with model Karlie Kloss to promote the brand in the United States, where its products became available at Nordstrom.

Products and positioning

The brand sits in accessible premium leather goods, with bags as the central category. The source describes the products as luxury leather goods, and its model is based on a wide distribution footprint rather than only flagship stores.

Business model and distribution

According to the source, Lancaster sells through more than 1,000 integrated points of sale, which suggests heavy use of wholesale and shop-in-shop formats alongside its own boutiques. The channel tags on this page are therefore indicative. The entry does not name the current owner, so none is stated, and no revenue figure or verified leadership information for 2026 is available.

Why it matters

Lancaster is an example of a French family-style accessories brand that built a wide international wholesale footprint. It is relevant for readers comparing mid-priced French handbag labels with larger luxury houses.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Lancaster?

The source consulted does not name the current owner of Lancaster. It says the brand acquired Sequoia Paris in 2012 and was founded by Thomas Tchen.

Where is Lancaster from?

Lancaster is a French brand from Paris, founded in 1990. It makes handbags, backpacks and leather accessories.

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