Paul Whitehead founded Major John in 2014 in his third year as an architecture student at the university of the Free State.

The first products produced was a range of timber bow ties made in his parent’s garage, and sanded outside his hostel between classes. His mother made the fabric straps and hand stitched each bow tie.

Since then the brand has grown to a range of genuine leather accessories, aprons as well as concrete and timber lamps.

Our products are handcrafted with the best local leather and timber.

Major John combines the ideals of the Arts-and-Crafts movement with modern trends to create unique handcrafted products.