About Jon Wye

2004: Jon and Fred start a company.

Jon Wye is a leather goods brand born from creative obsession, road-tested grit, and a deep reverence for adventure. Founded in 2004 in Washington, DC, the company began with hand-cast pewter buckles sold from a folding table at the famous weekly Eastern Market Farmer’s Market. Today, it operates as a full in-house design and manufacturing studio, known for bold, story-rich belts and accessories that reflect a life well-traveled.

Founder Jonathon Wye built the company from the ground up, teaching himself metal casting and leatherwork and eventually developing a proprietary process for embedding artwork into leather. Years of selling face-to-face at markets and festivals shaped both the business and the aesthetic: raw, honest, and unapologetically original.

As the company has grown, so has Jon’s world. His hikes through the Grand Canyon and travels through Istanbul’s winding bazaars have become central to the design language: where rugged American landscapes meet the structured geometry of ancient architecture. These experiences now breathe through each piece, blending nature’s chaos with the rhythm of design.

All products are made under one roof in DC, using predominantly USA-sourced materials. With every belt, wallet, purse, or guitar strap, Jon Wye invites you to wear a story, one crafted by hand, inspired by the journey, and built to last.