John Truex’s career has taken him across the spectrum of American luxury, from Lambertson Truex, which he co-founded in 1998, to Tiffany & Company in 2009 as  Vice President and Design Director of the Tiffany Leather Collection. After serving as Design Director for Shinola, he was recently named Creative Director of Ghurka, and according to the renowned leather goods house, “Truex’s deep knowledge of the leather category will be used to modernize existing Ghurka designs and come to life through brand new creations.”

We spoke to Truex about his vision for Ghurka, the meaning of American luxury in the  pandemic era and his move to South Carolina.

Hi John, thank you so much for doing this. Tell us a bit about how the last year has been for you and how you have navigated this unprecedented time.

Hi Marc. This past year has been challenging, but I have been keeping very busy—both professionally and personally—between my new position at Ghurka, working on Lambertson Truex, and renovating a new home. I relocated to South Carolina during the pandemic last year, as there wasn’t any reason to travel back and forth, and it’s been just as easy operating Lambertson Truex from there. The brand has some specialty boutiques and the online business, so between that and now, as Creative Director for Ghurka, I am as busy as ever!

How has this period informed your perspective on luxury in general and accessories in particular? Has it changed in any way?

My perspective on luxury has remained—a quality design should last a lifetime, and something that you can put away and rediscover. During the pandemic, people had more time at home, and began looking through their closets to rediscover their treasures. At Ghurka, timeless designs are created to last a lifetime—this is what is important. I certainly look at design a little differently. To me, less is more, and I prefer quality over quantity. I look at each design with this lens.

Has it made you adjust your approach to Ghurka in any way?

I am taking my time instead of rushing to make a splash. I want to go slow and steady, being very respectful of the brand and its original point of view. This is what made Ghurka successful, and I hope to continue this direction for the 21^st century.

What is your earliest memory of Ghurka?

When I moved to New York City in the early 1980s, it was all around—you would see a lot of people carrying Ghurka bags to work. Just last week, I was in the city and standing on Madison and East 53rd, and I noticed a backpack that I thought looked good. Examining a little closer (which as a designer, I do quite often), I saw that it was a Ghurka backpack, likely from the early 1990s. It looked great!

What appealed to you about the role?

I am excited about being a part of the next journey. Ghurka has a unique look, from the designs to the leathers. I respect the brand and want to move it forward with the respect it deserves.

What is your vision for the brand?

My vision is to take the brand to the next level—introduce these amazing styles to a new generation, and at the same time, move the brand forward so that it speaks to the consumer purchasing today. Size, weight and function are very important. This, along with my timeless approach, are what today’s consumer is looking to find. The person who purchased a Ghurka bag in 1981 is still using it today, and won’t give it up. I would like the next generation to have the same experience.

Define American luxury today.

I define it as something that makes you—the consumer—feel good. It’s something you’re curious about and want to completely discover and learn from. If you can experience this feeling, you will always have the design close to you, and ultimately share with someone else to discover the same feeling. Just today, I was going through my closet because I am out of space. But, there’s nothing for me to discard, because I can still see myself wearing or carrying the pieces in the future. In my opinion, that is American luxury.