Think small is where RLSD takes a look at some of the smaller companies around the world that we think are doing the right thing with leather. This is a greenwashing free zone – no matter what they produce, sustainability is at the heart of what they do.
Think small: Coterie
What makes your company different?
Our beautiful leather handbags and accessories with a distinctive and recognisable aesthetic. Founded on strong eco-conscious and sustainable ethics, our simple and functional pieces are inspired by the natural qualities of leather hide, skillfully designed and made with great attention to detail.
Why is leather so important to you and what other materials do you use?
The leather and hides are sourced from our partners in the furniture industry. They can be anything from over ordered whole hides, half hides, bits missing, panels cut out, scraps. We do occasionally have to order a new hide in direct from the tannery. Already a by-product of the meat industry these hides are of the highest quality, ethically produced to superior European standards. The Welsh wool is sustainably produced in a local family run mill, in the same way it has been since the 17th century. Our hand printed cotton lining is either organically produced, or salvaged. It may have been a canvas wardrobe in a previous life. The gold print is hand printed, using environmentally friendly water-based ink. Other materials have usually been pulled from the waste bins of our partner factories.
What is your signature product/what best sums up your philosophy?
Our one-of-a-kind Raw Edge Leather Clutch Purse. Perfect for accompanying you on life’s adventures, by day pop it in your bag to keep those essentials to hand, and by night it’s the perfect size for a night out. Skillfully handcrafted from ethically sourced leather with each hide individually selected for its beautiful natural qualities, with each vintage key signature detail selected to compliment the leather, giving each bag its own unique character.
Raw Edge Leather Clutch Purse
What do Coterie say?
Here at Coterie we’re passionate about sustainability and minimising waste, and we want you to love and cherish your bag for a lifetime. Each one is stamped with the Coterie mark ensuring its provenance, with a fully transparent supply chain, every part of its history and journey traceable right down to the thread.
What does RLSD say?
Coterie really understand leather and how to accommodate its beauty. They also understand the importance of traceability. They can trace the provenance of all their materials, saying that if you call them years after you bought one of their bags they could still tell you where that leather came from and whether there is still any in stock.
Find out more here.
The world’s top handbag designer has been appointed Women’s Fashion Leather Goods Director for the French company following five successful years at Mulberry. He will work alongside Vuitton’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquière.
Asirsam Kifle was born and raised in Ethiopia. From a young age he was intrigued by fashion and remembers himself regularly looking through fashion magazines and sketching designs. The idea behind his design was to make a product that blends Ethiopian
Zeyin credits the start of their love of leather products to when he had to recommend leather bag design ideas to his mother for her small-scale leather business when he was twelve. His multi-functional design was inspired by various reading materials like
The tanning industry is often regarded as one with very high water consumption because historically, it has been. But great strides have been taken to change this, and still many companies are striving to do better.
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