Manu Atelier – sustainable leather bags

Manu Atelier – sustainable leather bags for those in the know

12th January 2022

If you want a handbag that is a little more understated but no less stylish than Chanel or Louis Vuitton, then this is the brand for you.

In just seven years, Manu Atelier has grown from nothing to being one of the best-kept secrets of the stars. Bella Hadid, Eva Chen and Sarah Jessica Parker can be counted among the fans of a brand that puts sustainability at the heart of everything it does.

The atelier was formed in 2014 by Beste and Merve Manastir, daughters of Adnan Manastır, one of Turkey’s most respected leather craftsmen. The sisters were united by a desire to honour their father’s artisanship and craft by creating the finest hand-crafted leather goods.

The result is a collection of practical designs whose luxury lies in the craftsmanship and materials used rather than any clever advertising or branding.

The sisters say: “Our father has been a handicraftsman since 1961 and our childhood passed by combining the vestigial leathers and making miniature handbags with them. Handbags are the most tangible faces of our childhood, alongside our infatuation with our father and his artisanship. The smell of the leather which ties the past and the present. “

The name ‘Manu’ comes from the Latin word ‘Hand’ – all of their products are handcrafted in their in-house Atelier.

“Our mission is to develop timeless products that have longevity. We believe that consuming better and more consciously is the way to a more sustainable world.”

All leather used is locally sourced, to reduce transportation and has minimal chemical treatment by tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG). Patterns are hand cut to eliminate waste and leftover materials are repurposed or upcycled.

Manu Atelier is also a member of SEDEX, the global membership organisation dedicated to driving improvement in ethical and responsible practices in global supply chains. SEDEX audits are conducted every year to control labour standards, health & safety, environment, and business ethics.

Manu Atelier’s bags are born from a love of leather and a respect for the crafts used to get the best from it. A love that has existed since they were children.

As Beste and Merve say: “The history of MANU Atelier has already started many years ago when we were two little girls, it was just born in February 2014.”