Having been in the industry for over a decade, we rarely talk about ourselves on a personal level. While some of our clients know us in person, many do not know the small but dedicated team behind our work. It’s always surprising when people assume we have a large office and staff based on the photos and products they see online. The truth is, it’s just the two of us running everything.
The following article is written in the third person for better fluency and cohesiveness.
Where It All Began
It all started with a school project when Chloe was pursuing her bachelor’s degree as a full-time student after leaving the financial industry in Hong Kong. The project required her to build a business and sell products in the college marketplace, sparking her passion for entrepreneurship and craftsmanship. Later, in 2024, she earned an MBA from Central Saint Martins, further shaping her vision for design and business.
Having grown up in an environment that valued craftsmanship and luxury, Chloe always had an eye for fine leather goods. Influenced by her father, who ran an advertising business, she had an entrepreneurial mindset from an early age. While at LCF, she connected with students from Cordwainers Fashion Bags and Accessories, which led her deeper into the world of leather craftsmanship. She established relationships with master artisans and manufacturers in Asia and gained insight into the renowned European tanneries and suppliers used by top fashion houses.
In 2015, she attended Première Vision in Paris and Lineapelle in Milan, two of the most prestigious trade fairs in the leather and fashion industry. The experience broadened her perspective, and shortly after returning, she co-founded Chance Mystère, a brand focused on hand-stitched leather goods made from premium materials, offering customisation services. Though the project was initially part of her coursework, it didn’t end after graduation.
The Partnership
At this point, Jacky entered the story. Jacky was born and raised in London in a family that ran a catering business. Watching his parents work tirelessly in long hours to support the family, he decided to follow a different path, one driven by his passion for art, design, and bespoke tailoring. He studied Graphic Design at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and later pursued tailoring. Jacky has always been passionate about bespoke tailoring, believing that a great tailor not only needs skill but also the finest materials to bring their work to life for different occasions. To deepen his understanding of the trade, he took a course to learn the fundamentals of tailoring. Wanting to immerse himself further, he worked for several years at a renowned fabric boutique, handling premium tailoring fabrics daily and catering to prestigious clientele. This experience refined his appreciation for craftsmanship, quality materials, and the relationship between artisans and their tools.
In addition, he was a self-taught freelance photographer, which became a valuable skill in the business journey.
Sharing similar values and creative visions, Chloe and Jacky began working together. Both of them share a deep appreciation for fine materials and craftsmanship, and they are always curious about how fine things are made. This mutual passion became the foundation for what they built together later.
Running a fashion brand was challenging, both financially and logistically. To help sustain the business and cover studio rent, they recognised an opportunity in offering leathercraft workshops.
Pro Atelier Plus: The Turning Point
In early 2019, a mutual friend in China introduced them to the owner of Meisi Thread, a premium thread manufacturer looking for a distributor in Europe. Seeing the potential, Chloe and Jacky flew to China to visit the factory and started planning the distribution. This marked the beginning of Pro Atelier Plus.
Later that year, as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, the leather goods business slowed down. However, with more people picking up crafts during lockdowns, Pro Atelier Plus gained momentum. Starting with thread, they gradually expanded the product range, using their previous experience in leather goods and the well-established supplier network. Their multicultural backgrounds also helped navigate the complexities of international trade.
As Pro Atelier Plus grew, it became their primary business, while Chance Mystère took a step back. However, this shift wasn’t a setback, it was an opportunity to connect with incredible artists and makers worldwide, learning new things through their conversations and collaborations.
Expanding into Stationery & Calligraphy
Beyond leathercraft, Chloe has always had a deep love for stationery and calligraphy. As a child, her family in Japan would send her beautifully crafted Japanese stationery, which sparked a lifelong appreciation for it. During the pandemic, she studied Western calligraphy, learning from various masters across different scripts.
This naturally led to an expansion into the stationery market, particularly focusing on calligraphy tools and Japanese stationery.
Pro Atelier Pet: Another Passion Turned Business
In 2022, Saatchi, a Norwich Terrier, became a member of Chloe's and Jacky's life. As Saatchi gained attention on his social media, pet brands started approaching us for collaborations. With their background in e-commerce and product sourcing, launching a pet business was a natural next step.
In early 2025, Chloe and Jacky founded Pro Atelier Pet, another venture built on passion, curating high-quality pet goods with the same dedication they bring to their other businesses.
Where They Are Today
To this day, it is still just the two of them running everything, managing daily operations, sourcing, customer service, and product development. Like any small business, especially one run by a couple, there are challenges. Some things take longer to develop, and dreams take time to materialise. However, they remain patient, positive, and incredibly grateful for the support of their clients and friends.
For Chloe and Jacky, life is a journey. We are all here to find meaning, learn, and inspire others along the way.
Looking back, it all seems like destiny, one opportunity leading to another.
Looking Ahead: Growing Beyond Themselves
As they continue this journey, they are excited about expanding their product ranges to include more of the things they love. However, they recognise the limitations of running multiple businesses as a two-person team. There is so much they want to do, but only so little they can accomplish with their time and expertise.
That’s why they’re looking to connect with like-minded individuals who are eager to collaborate, contribute their expertise, and grow something meaningful together. Whether it’s through creative partnerships, skill-sharing, or building something new as a team, Chloe and Jacky believe that the right people can help take the ventures to new heights.
If you resonate with their vision and see exciting possibilities in working together, they would love to connect and explore how something truly special can be created together.
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