Bell Quintão is not a brand built on hype. There are no seasonal surges, no trend-chasing, no mass production runs. Instead, working independently from her studio, Brazilian-born designer Bell Quintão produces small-batch, one-off leather pieces designed to last for decades and, she hopes, to be passed down the generations. Her work is deliberate, her materials responsibly sourced and her philosophy shaped by a deep respect for craft.
We sat down with Bell to talk about her journey from marketing in Brazil to leather goods design in San Francisco, the bag that became a brand signature and why she believes the most sustainable thing a designer can do is simply make things better.
From Brazil to the design bench
Your background is in marketing and PR – quite a distance from leather craftsmanship. How did the shift happen?
“My background is in Marketing and Public Relations in Brazil. Design came into my life later, when I moved from Brazil to London. That move changed everything.”
Bell studied at both London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins, where what began as curiosity evolved into something more consuming. A later move to California led her to complete a master’s degree in Footwear and Accessories Design in San Francisco.
“My journey into design wasn’t linear,” she says. “It evolved naturally as I followed what genuinely fascinated me: craft, material and making things with my hands.”
And the brand itself – how did Bell Quintão come to exist?
“Bell Quintão was born from my connection to craft and from a very specific moment of curiosity. While I was studying in London, I randomly decided to learn how to sew bags. I had no big plan, just a feeling that I wanted to try. The moment I started working with bags, something clicked. I fell in love with the process.”
That love accompanied her to San Francisco, where a chance visit to the Academy of Art, at the time they were launching a program focused on shoes and accessories, helped plot her direction. Over time, bags emerged as the medium through which her creative voice spoke most clearly.
Today, Bell Quintão is an independent, slow fashion brand producing carefully constructed leather pieces created in small batches and built to last.
A material with memory
Leather is central to everything you make. Where does that connection come from?
“Leather has always been present in my life. Growing up in Brazil, I used to visit markets with my mother that specialised only in leather goods. I remember being fascinated by the smell, the textures and the craftsmanship.”
The sensory overload of those early experiences never left her. She still owns a leather jacket bought at one of those markets. It is now more than twenty years old, still in perfect condition and customised with a sketch drawn by a friend. For Bell, that jacket is more than clothing.
“That is what I love about leather. It holds memories and becomes more meaningful over time. It ages beautifully, becomes more personal and can truly last for decades, even generations.”
Responsibility in every hide
How do you approach sustainability in your sourcing?
“Sourcing responsibly is extremely important to me. I currently source my leather from an Italian supplier that rescues surplus materials from the luxury industry. High quality leather that would otherwise be discarded. By using these recovered stocks, I help extend the life cycle of materials that have already been produced.”
The hardware tells a similar story. The chains used in Bell’s pieces come from an Italian company working exclusively with 100 per cent recycled plexiglass. For Bell, responsibility is not a marketing position, it is a series of deliberate decisions made before a single piece is cut. “As a small independent designer, I believe responsibility begins with intentional sourcing and conscious production decisions.”
There’s a lot of debate about leather versus synthetic alternatives. Where do you stand?
Bell is direct on the subject. “Leather is often misunderstood. Most leather is a byproduct of the food industry. If it were not used, it would become waste. When responsibly sourced and properly tanned, leather is a durable material that can last decades.”
She is equally clear about the alternatives. “Many materials marketed as vegan leather or eco leather are actually petroleum-based synthetics like PU or PVC. These plastic-derived materials do not biodegrade and can take hundreds of years to break down.”
She acknowledges that innovation in bio-based materials, mushroom and fruit-derived leathers among them, is a promising area, but urges that durability and true lifecycle impact must always be part of the conversation. “For me, the most sustainable material is one that lasts a very long time and avoids entering the waste cycle quickly. Longevity is key.”
The bag that says everything
Do you have a favourite piece in your collection?
“My favourite piece is the Giggle Bag.” It is currently the design Bell produces most and it carries a particular personal weight.
“The Giggle Bag reflects my personality, especially my experience with ADHD. The textures, layers and sensory elements are intentional. I am drawn to tactile surfaces and visual richness. The design balances structure and playfulness. It represents movement, creativity and emotional intensity, which are all part of who I am.”
It has also become the piece that resonates most with her audience, the signature of the brand. “I believe people connect to its personality. It feels expressive yet timeless. And because each piece is handmade as a one-of-one, it carries individuality.”
Facing challenges independently
What has it been like to build the brand independently?
“Building Bell Quintão as an independent designer, especially in a different country and culture, has been incredibly challenging.” She speaks candidly about the reality of running a small business alone. She must design, make, market and strategise all at the same time.
Supply chains present their own complications. “It is challenging as an independent designer to find suppliers who sell small quantities of materials. Often, when I do find small-batch sourcing options, they are much more expensive, especially when the materials are sustainable.”
But there is reward in the difficulty. “The most rewarding part has been seeing people genuinely value the craftsmanship and the sustainability behind my work. When someone understands that they are buying something made slowly, responsibly and with intention, that is deeply meaningful to me.”
What comes next
What does the future look like for Bell Quintão?
Bell is currently developing new designs and experimenting more with leather textures and construction techniques. She is also preparing to work more closely with the public. “I am excited about creating a more collaborative experience with my clients. Offering the possibility of co-creating a bag together. I love the idea of slowing down the process and involving the wearer in the design journey.”
And eventually, she plans to return to the other great material passion of her life, shoes. “The future of Bell Quintão is about expanding thoughtfully, staying committed to craftsmanship, and continuing to work independently with intention.”
What would you say to a designer who wants to work with leather sustainably?
“Start by understanding your material deeply. Research where your leather comes from. Whenever possible, source from suppliers that rescue deadstock or surplus materials. Ask questions about production practices. Understand longevity.”
“Design pieces meant to last, structurally and aesthetically. Sustainability is not about trends, it is about responsibility and durability. And most importantly, respect the craft. Slow down. Make less but make better.”
See bellquintao.com for more
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