FROM LEAP TO LEGACY

Rachelle Copeland has built a career defined by instinct, adaptability, and an unwavering belief

in saying yes to opportunity. Founder and owner of Porte Lux, she brings nearly three decades

of experience across retail, wholesale, private label, and brand building to a company that

has become one of the most trusted private label development and production partners in

handbags and accessories.

Founded in 2013, Porte Lux operates as a full-service, intentionally flexible private label business tailoring its approach to the specific needs of each client with brands and retailers. Based in Atlanta, Copeland leads a core team of five, supported by outside contractors. "Some customers have design teams and just need production support," she explained. "Others need everything - from trend to design to final delivery. We work dynamically."

That flexibility is underpinned by decades-long global relationships. Copeland has worked with

manufacturers and suppliers across Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Italy, and China. "These are relationships I've had for 26 years," she said. "We're known for fast turnaround, beautiful samples,

thoughtful value engineering, and zero-stress production."

That trust shows up where it matters most - with customers. Porte Lux's client list includes long-

term partnerships with brands and retailers such as Mark & Graham, Pottery Barn Kids, Dillard's,

Everlane, WanderFull, and Willow. Most new business comes through referrals. "Reputation

brings us new customers," she said. "Word of mouth is everything in this business."

The company offers a broad product assortment, including not just handbags, but also men's bags, travel bags, small leather goods, accessories and jewelry. The team excels at translating trend into commercially successful product at the right price point, often engineering exclusive materials and designs that are tailored to each customer. "We work from the very beginning to create product that is perfect for each customer's needs and price points," she said.

That, combined with a diversified supply chain, positioned Porte Lux to navigate industry-wide

disruption. "Tariffs weren't as challenging for us as for others, because of our diversified global

factory base" Copeland noted. "We were able to stay agile — and even see opportunity."

That agility fueled success with new materials, sustainable options, and differentiated product

stories a t retail.

The foundation for that mindset was decades in the making. Copeland earned a BA in fashion

merchandising with a minor in marketing, fully expecting to pursue a traditional retail buying

career. "When I got my first job out of college at Macy's, I thought I would be on a retail buying

career path," she said. "But, opportunity knocked and I took a leap of faith. Keep walking through the doors - you can do anything you set out to do."

For Copeland, those doors opened early. At just 25, she joined Vans to help build out apparel and accessories for their retail stores at the intersection of skate, lifestyle, retail, and youth culture. Her work in accessories quickly caught the attention of one of her vendors. "I jumped from retail to wholesale," she recalled, gaining exposure to a new side of the business while working across retail and wholesale with surf and lifestyle driven accounts uch a s PacSun, Quiksilver and Roxy. She was later asked to launch a handbag division at Circa, a company known primarily for belts. There, Copeland built the business from the ground up, overseeing all design and product development while partnering with major private label retailers. The role cemented her reputation as a problem-solver who could translate trend into commercial success.

Cipriani further sharpened her expertise, from business development and product creation to

managing some of the most complex accounts in the industry. Each chapter added to her

understanding of how brands scale, how retailers buy, how having the right partners means

everything and how product must perform in the real world.

In 2005, Copeland co-founded Alexis Hudson, a contemporary handbag brand that quickly gained traction. Sold in high-end department stores and boutiques worldwide, the business doubled year over year and attracted celebrity and industry attention. "We were at the Javits Center and couldn't write orders fast enough one day," she recalled. "And the next day Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy."

On this day in 2008, "Everything shifted immediately." At the time, Copeland was navigating a divorce and life as a single mother in addition to her business partnership. After navigating the recession for 2 years, she decided on stability for her daughter. She took a job with a private label home company, but it did not feel like the right fit.

Copeland returned to her core strength - private label handbags and accessories - and launched

Porte Lux. "Over thirteen years later, it's incredibly rewarding," she said. "I love what I do. I have a true passion for it. We create a unique formula for each of our customers that help them achieve their goals."

At its core, Porte Lux remains a relationship-driven business - female founded, with a 10O: female team. Copeland is deeply committed to mentoring and supporting women entrepreneurs whenever possible. "When a door opens, walk through it," she said. "You never know where that door will lead." For Copeland, that philosophy isn't just advice — it is a blueprint. By trusting her instincts and walking through every open door, she has built a career on

experience, adaptability, and the simple truth that great product, done right, always finds its place, especially when built on trust, experience and long term partnership.

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At Porte Lux, we’re not just a manufacturer we’re your partner in growth, design, and scalability.

For more information or to work with Porte Lux, please contact us here.

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