About the Founder

Lisa Pongrass

Lisa Pongrass is the Founder and CEO of the luxury leather handbag company Canvas & Hyde.

After 20 years in the fashion industry for leading brands in Australia, including roles as the Deputy Editor of a top fashion magazine and Head of PR and Marketing for BECCA Cosmetics, Lisa moved to New York City and embarked on creating a brand of exceptional bags that were both luxurious and durable.

In 2015 Lisa realized her dream of starting her brand from scratch. Although she collected handbags for over 30 years, production was a process she knew nothing about in a completely new country. She spent a year researching and learning the craft of luxury handbag construction, where to source the finest quality materials, which leather factories are environmentally responsible, and how sustainable the materials involved are. With a strong vision and after meticulous research, Canvas & Hyde was born.

Living in Brooklyn, Lisa was able to successfully bring American-made quality craftsmanship back to life for her bags and incorporate both local and Italian making into the company. With an emphasis on quality craftsmanship and an urban minimal aesthetic, Canvas & Hyde bags are built to last and have a timeless elegance, in contrast to the trend-driven “it” bags of the moment.

In 2006, Lisa was named one of Harper’s Bazaar’s 100 Best Dressed Australians for her “classic” style. She is still wearing beautiful pieces from 20 years ago, hence her favorite saying: "To buy one quality piece is truly investment shopping."

Lisa currently lives in New York City, traveling to and from Florence and Australia. Her daughter Amber has been a constant inspiration with her "cool effortless style" that Lisa has woven into the elegant, timeless styles that make up the Canvas & Hyde range.