Lola Banjo
Lola Banjo is the founder and creative director of Silver & Riley, a Black-owned luxury travel accessories brand known for handcrafted leather goods. She built the company while working as a business consultant, drawing on her experiences visiting more than 100 countries.
Lola Banjo's Bio
Lola Banjo is the founder and creative director of Silver & Riley, a premier luxury lifestyle brand specializing in handcrafted travel and fashion accessories.
Before launching Silver & Riley, Banjo spent years as a business consultant, traveling to more than 100 countries. Those journeys gave her a firsthand view of how people move through the world and what they carry with them. She noticed a gap in the market for travel bags that combined exceptional craftsmanship with timeless design, and she set out to build a brand that would fill it.
Banjo founded Silver & Riley as a side hustle, designing the first collection herself and working directly with artisans to source premium materials. The brand quickly gained attention for its convertible executive bags, New Yorker totes, and leather accessories that balanced elegance with everyday function. Each piece is built with disciplined construction and heritage-grade materials, reflecting Banjo's belief that true luxury begins with craftsmanship.
Based in the New York City metropolitan area, Silver & Riley has grown into a direct-to-consumer brand with a devoted following. Banjo remains involved in every detail of design and customer experience, from selecting leathers to writing the handwritten notes that accompany each order. She has collaborated with personalities including Vanessa Simmons, and her bags have been featured in publications and podcasts focused on Black-owned businesses and luxury travel.
Under Banjo's leadership, Silver & Riley has become known not just for its products, but for its community. The brand emphasizes supporting customers who value quality over trends, and Banjo frequently shares her journey as a founder navigating production challenges, waitlists, and the demands of scaling a small-batch brand. Her story resonates with entrepreneurs who see travel and design as intertwined passions.
Career Timeline
2005 — Business Consultant & Global Travel
Banjo spent years as a business consultant, traveling to more than 100 countries. These journeys gave her a firsthand view of how people move through the world and what they carry with them, planting the seed for a future luxury travel brand.
2015 — Founded Silver & Riley
Banjo launched Silver & Riley as a side hustle, designing the first collection herself and working directly with artisans to source premium materials. The brand began with a vision of combining exceptional craftsmanship with timeless design.
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 handcrafted leather accessories. Each piece reflects Banjo's belief that true luxury begins with craftsmanship.
2021 — Collaboration with Vanessa Simmons
Banjo collaborated with Vanessa Simmons, expanding the brand's reach and visibility. Silver & Riley bags were featured in publications and podcasts focused on Black-owned businesses and luxury travel.
