ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL

What makes a bag (quite literally) fit for the Queen? Gerald Bodmer, the Kenley-based CEO of leather good empire, Launer London, reveals just what it takes…

- Rebecca Shepherd

What do the names Traviata, Viola and Gloria all have in common? Aside from being the one-word titles of world-famous operas, they’re also the names of three Launer London handbags. “Most of my bags are named after operas or singers because I used to be a classical musician, and I’m a big fan of the genre,” says Gerald Bodmer, owner of the company luxury handbag and small leather goods company.

For more than 60 years, the brand has been lovingly handcrafting structure bags – like the Traviata – for the Queen to have and to hold, after being appointed a Royal Warrant in the 1960s. “It’s a tremendous honour having the warrant,” Gerald says. “Not many people can say they have touched something the Queen has. Plus, I think it does us a lot of good export-wise and it makes people believe in our quality.”

This esteemed warrant recognises those who supply goods or services to the households of HM The Queen, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh or HRH The Prince of Wales. It lasts for five years and, according to Gerald, it can take up to five years to get: “You have to submit reams of stuff, including a whole sustainability case – they ask about the leather, where it comes from and you have to back it all up with loads of facts.”