Joe (aka monsieur) first trained in industrial design and electronic product design at the prestigious Samsung Arts & Design Institute, in his home country of South Korea. He then went on to pursue classes in interior design at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, in Canada.

Now a Canadian citizen, he had the opportunity to go live several years in the heart of Europe, just a stone's throw from the French Jura region, where the workshops of iconic brands such as Hermès and Louis Vuitton are located. That’s where he decided to learn French and train in the field of luxury leather goods.

While living in Switzerland, he completed an apprenticeship at Sattlerei Fiona Losinger, a renowned atelier-boutique located in Bern, and underwent further intensive training at a private leather school in Seoul, South Korea. He also had the chance to attend Lineapelle in Milano, Italy — the most important international exhibition dedicated to leather.

Back in Vancouver since 2021, he is now sharing his time between Hand & Sew, a well-established leather workshop based in New Westminster, his own creations and custom orders.

When Podo—meaning “grape”in Korean—came in his life in the summer of 2023, monsieur thought a custom-made harness would make a cute welcoming gift.

But he didn’t know he would soon be very busy designing and crafting leather harnesses, leashes, collars and key rings for many of Podo’s friends (and their loving parents).

After testing and sampling different styles, monsieur launched the “Une vie de chien” collection, that offers stylish and colourful leather accessories meant to embellish every dog’s life.