I Waited For You is a luxury leather goods collection designed by Melanese Reid and Charles Pacius, drawing inspiration from architecture, fine art, and jewelry design. Both designers attended the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology—Reid in Patternmaking, minoring in Jewelry Design, and Pacius in Advertising & Marketing Communications with a minor in Textile Development. They came together to form I Waited For You after identifying a space in the luxury market for emotionally resonant accessories and sought out to create pieces that embody quiet intelligence, thoughtful design, and meticulous craftsmanship meant to endure. IWFY designs are to be cherished and regarded as works of art.

The brand name reflects the emotional connection one should feel when discovering a piece, while also representing the creative bond between its founders—viewing the brand as something they had each long awaited. Beyond fashion, Melanese and Charles are multidisciplinary artists whose practices span painting, photography, and sculpture and have backgrounds working with brands Rachel Comey, Theory, Lee Broom, Fritz Hansen, and Society Limonta to name a few.

Their handbags reflect this sensibility, merging considered design with personal heritage—featuring jewelry-inspired elements drawn from the adornments worn by their Caribbean mothers. Each piece is designed in New York and handcrafted in small batches by renowned Italian and Spanish ateliers known for over 30 years of tanning and artisanal mastery. This intentional, low-waste production model supports ethical craftsmanship and conscious consumption. Every bag is a deeply personal offering—timeless, meaningful, and made to endure.