Silver & Riley
Silver & Riley is a Black-owned luxury travel and fashion accessories brand offering handcrafted leather bags and scarves. Founded by Lola Banjo, the brand combines Italian craftsmanship with timeless design for modern travelers.
The Story
Silver & Riley is a Black-owned and founded luxury travel and fashion accessories brand that creates handcrafted leather bags and scarves for the modern traveler.
Founded by Lola Banjo, a former business consultant who visited more than 100 countries, Silver & Riley was born from a personal search for the perfect travel bag. Banjo noticed that most luxury luggage either sacrificed style for durability or function for aesthetics, and she set out to build a brand that would deliver both.
The brand's collections include convertible executive bags, New Yorker totes, duffles, and silk scarves—each piece built with disciplined construction, heritage-grade materials, and design that balances beauty with everyday function. Silver & Riley works directly with artisans to source premium leathers and hardware.
Based in the New York City metropolitan area, Silver & Riley operates as a direct-to-consumer brand with transparent pricing and a community-first ethos. The company emphasizes craftsmanship over trends, and each order ships with handwritten notes reflecting Banjo's personal touch. Silver & Riley has collaborated with personalities including Vanessa Simmons and has been featured in publications focused on Black-owned businesses and luxury travel.
Under Banjo's leadership, the brand has grown from a side hustle into a recognized name in accessible luxury, with a devoted following of customers who value quality, transparency, and a brand with a genuine story.
Key Facts & Metrics
Products
All-Purpose Tote Bag in Rich Camel
Large carryall leather tote bag in rich camel, perfect for everyday use and travel with exceptional craftsmanship.
Convertible Executive Bag in Burgundy
Convertible executive leather bag in burgundy, crafted with heritage-grade materials for professional and travel use.
Geneva Leather Messenger Bag in Wine Purple
Geneva leather messenger bag in wine purple, blending sophisticated style with practical design for work and travel.
Milan Crossbody Bag in Olive Green
Milan crossbody leather bag in olive green, combining elegant design with everyday functionality.
Beverly Hills Carryall Duffle Bag in Black
Handcrafted leather carryall duffle bag in black, designed for modern travel with disciplined construction and premium materials.
Company Timeline
2015 — Founded by Lola Banjo
Banjo launched Silver & Riley as a side hustle after years of consulting across 100+ countries, designing the first collection of handcrafted leather travel bags.
2018 — Built Direct-to-Consumer Luxury Brand
Silver & Riley grew into a direct-to-consumer brand known for convertible executive bags, New Yorker totes, and leather accessories with transparent pricing.
2021 — Collaboration with Vanessa Simmons
Banjo collaborated with Vanessa Simmons, expanding the brand's reach. Silver & Riley was featured in publications and podcasts focused on Black-owned businesses.
2024 — Community-Driven Growth
The brand continued to emphasize craftsmanship and community, maintaining small-batch production and handwritten customer notes while scaling distribution.