Whale Tail Weaving Launches the First-Ever Leather Nantucket Lightship Basket™ Collection, Expanding an American Heritage Craft for Modern, Year-Round Wear

Created by Cape Cod native and second-generation weaver Bridget Wiatrowski after two years of development, the luxury collection reinterprets the iconic Nantucket Lightship Basket across three silhouettes: a clutch, bucket bag and tote, handwoven in premium Italian vegetable-tanned leather.

BOSTON, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Whale Tail Weaving introduces the first-ever Leather Nantucket Lightship Basket™ Collection, translating the recognizable form of the historic Nantucket Lightship Basket into leather for modern, year-round wear.

The collection retains defining elements of the traditional basket, including its woven construction, structured base, rims, and hand-carved knobs, across three contemporary handbag silhouettes. The leather designs are intended to complement, rather than replace, traditional Nantucket baskets while extending the form beyond its association with summer and special occasions.

The launch comes amid renewed interest in Nantucket Lightship Basket bags. This summer, The New York Times reported a surge in Google searches for the category, while one longtime Nantucket retailer said basket-bag sales were up more than 40% year over year. The report also cited an estimate that only six or seven full-time basket makers are currently working on Nantucket

For founder Bridget Wiatrowski, the collection is rooted in a much longer connection to the craft. Wiatrowski grew up watching her mother make Nantucket baskets and surrounded by the region's maritime history. She later learned the craft herself and founded Whale Tail Weaving in 2017.

"I grew up watching my mother weave Nantucket baskets, and I've always loved the history behind them," said Wiatrowski. "I wanted to take what makes a Lightship Basket recognizable and bring it into today's world. Leather gave me a way to do that while still honoring its traditional elements."

The Nantucket Lightship Basket dates to 19th-century Nantucket, where the distinctive woven baskets became closely associated with crews stationed aboard lightships off the island. The tradition later evolved into the lidded Friendship Basket purse, now one of the New England region's most recognizable craft traditions.

Following a two-year design process, Wiatrowski developed a proprietary method of weaving leather to replicate the look of historical lightship baskets. Each Whale Tail Weaving leather basket is handwoven from premium Italian vegetable-tanned leather selected to soften and develop a natural patina over time, just like the wooden baskets. Italian gold hardware and hand-carved knobs reference details found in traditional Nantucket basket making while adapting the form to a contemporary luxury handbag.

The collection includes three silhouettes:

The Clutch ($950): A compact interpretation of the Lightship Basket designed with two adjustable straps for multifunctional wear.

The Bucket Bag ($1,950): The original leather interpretation, designed to be carried crossbody or over the shoulder.

The Tote ($2,750): The collection's largest silhouette, featuring a spacious interior with internal security and easy-access pockets.

The original Leather Lightship Basket™ design is protected by federally registered trade dress with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Whale Tail Weaving has been featured by Boston Home, Yankee, NBC10 Boston, and Boston magazine for its modern interpretation of Nantucket Lightship Basket heritage. The collection can be purchased at whaletailweaving.com.

About Whale Tail Weaving

Founded in 2017 by Cape Cod native and second-generation Nantucket basket weaver Bridget Wiatrowski, Whale Tail Weaving creates jewelry, handbags, and accessories inspired by the Nantucket Lightship Basket tradition. 

For more information, visit whaletailweaving.com or follow @whaletailweaving on Instagram.

Media Contact:
Bridget Wiatrowski
[email protected]
617-719-4111

SOURCE Whale Tail Weaving