From This Bench

Artisans in Residence

A select group of Heirloom alumni, distinguished by their dedication to the craft and invited to present their work through the atelier that trained them.

The Artisan
Fabiana, founder of KUBEEKA, Heirloom Leathercraft alumna

Fabiana

Founder, KUBEEKA

Fabiana studied handbag design and construction at Maison Aubele in Buenos Aires under Erika Trenque. In 2018, she came to San Francisco to train at Heirloom under Beatrice Amblard, a former Hermès artisan, completing the program in 2018. From both mentors she took the same conviction: build every piece by hand, from start to finish, no shortcuts.

She launched KUBEEKA as a quiet luxury leather brand built on those principles. Each piece takes 30 to 40 hours of work. She uses the traditional saddle stitch technique throughout, working alone from her atelier in San Francisco.

Her first design, the “Berry,” honors both mentors, Beatrice and Erika, whose guidance made the work possible.

Based in San Francisco  ·  Heirloom class of 2018  ·  Brand kubeeka.com
“Fabiana was the kind of student who made you sharper. She questioned everything, practiced until her stitches were invisible, and then found her own way. That is all you can ask.”
Beatrice Amblard, Founding Master Artisan, Heirloom Leathercraft
Made for Heirloom

Designed and built by Fabiana exclusively for this collection. Each piece is finished and ready to own.

Lilly Medium

Lilly Medium

$3,200.00
$3,200.00
Lilly Small

Lilly Small

$2,700.00
$2,700.00
Lilly Medium

Lilly Medium

$3,200.00
$3,200.00
Roxy

Roxy

$2,400.00
$2,400.00
Ruby

Ruby

$2,900.00
$2,900.00
The Artisan
Marina, founder of M.D. Leather Design, Heirloom Leathercraft alumna

Marina

Founder, M.D. Leather Design

Marina came to leatherwork through a lifetime of making: painting, jewelry, sewing. Each medium sharpened her sense of color, proportion, and finish. Nine years ago, she began training at Heirloom Leathercraft in San Francisco under Beatrice Amblard, completing the program in 2019. What started as curiosity became a practice.

She founded M.D. Leather Design with a commitment to responsible sourcing: working with sustainably sourced leather from around the world and upcycled materials wherever possible. Each piece is designed and handcrafted in her studio, one at a time.

Based in San Francisco  ·  Heirloom class of 2019  ·  Brand M.D. Leather Design
“Marina sees things other makers miss. A line, a proportion, a color that changes everything. She came to the bench with an artist's eye and left with an artisan's hands. That is a rare combination.”
Beatrice Amblard, Founding Master Artisan, Heirloom Leathercraft
Made for Heirloom

Designed and built by Marina exclusively for this collection. Each piece is finished and ready to own.

The Saddle Bag by Marina, M.D. Leather Design — hand-painted crocodile-embossed leather bag

The Saddle Bag

$2,000.00
$2,000.00
Bucket Bag by Marina, M.D. Leather Design — salmon Italian grain leather bucket bag with drawstring closure

Bucket Bag

$1,950.00
$1,950.00
Liza Bag by Marina, M.D. Leather Design — red French grain leather handbag with alligator accent flap and stone closure

Liza Bag

$4,500.00
$4,500.00
The Barrel Bag - Art Deco by Marina, M.D. Leather Design — red Italian grain leather handbag with sculpted accents

The Barrel Bag - Art Deco

$2,250.00
$2,250.00