The bags are made by Olga herself in her workshop/shop in Rotterdam. They are produced using artisan leather techniques. So you can be sure that your purchase has been created with a lot of care and love. Moreover, you can visit the atelier itself in the Zaagmolenkade in Rotterdam, so you can see first-hand how the bags are made.
The bags are made of leather, mainly cowshide leather. For this, the brand buys leather through wholesaled surplus lots. These are leather surpluses from other producers and brands that are collected and sold. This allows O*olga korstanje to buy quality leather at an affordable price, but in doing so, the origin of the material cannot be traced.
The bag brand uses different types of cowhide leather. One of these types is chrome-tanned leather, which uses a tanning process involving chemicals and heavy metals. This strong and supple leather is more resistant to scratches or other signs of use.
In addition, O* olga korstanje also uses vegetal-tanned leather. This leather was processed with vegetable tanning agents, e.g. from tree bark, without chemicals. This sustainable leather often comes with a higher cost and the range of colours is more limited.
Finally, Olga Korstanje chooses not to use a lining in several designs. This makes the bags easier to repair and limits the number of materials in a design. When a lining is needed after all, the brand opts for cotton.
Leather is in itself a natural material, yet this does not make the bags necessarily biodegradable. This is because many harmful chemicals and dyes are used in the tanning process. Even though the bags are no longer biodegradable, leather is still a strong and durable material. Leather has a long lifespan and therefore, with the right care, remains beautiful for a very long time. Moreover, Olga Korstanje works with cotton lining in the bags, or even without lining, so there are no synthetic materials involved.
To ensure the bags’ longevity, Olga also does repairs where necessary. Should you have a loose stitching, stain or other defect, you can visit the studio store for repairs.
It is not clear how long O* olga korstanje’s supply chain is. The bags are made by Olga herself in Rotterdam, but the origin of the leather is not known. This is because Olga buys the leather through overstock from wholesalers and tanneries. This way, the brand cannot trace the exact origin of the materials.
Because O* olga korstanje uses leather as the main material for its bags, the brand scores low for animal welfare. Because Olga Korstanje works mainly with surplus materials, the origin of the materials is also unknown, so COSH! cannot form a picture of animal welfare.
O* olga korstanje bags are made in a minimalist and practical style. Despite the robust strength of the leather, the bags look soft and malleable. In the collection, you will find both larger shoppers and small clutches for on the hand or on the shoulder.
Moreover, it is also possible to have a bag made to your specifications! Visit the shop/atelier to choose the leather and model together with designer Olga, after which she sets to work creating the bag of your dreams.
Finally, you can also learn how to make your own bag with Olga Korstanje. You can attend a workshop with a friend to make your own bag! Thanks to personal guidance, you will learn the techniques and go home with a self-made handbag or shopper!
O* olga korstanje is a transparent brand. COSH! spoke to the founder Olga herself. She gave us a lot of information about the production process and the materials she uses. Unfortunately, it is not possible to trace the origin of the materials.
The brand realises that transparency and sustainability are very important and is committed to improving in this. One of the steps they are taking in this regard is to use more vegetal-tanned leather.
O* olga korstanje is the eponymous brand of designer Olga. The atelier is located in her shop in Rotterdam, so you can take a look behind the scenes of this original brand. Olga handcrafts the fun handbags, shoppers and clutches there herself. You can read more about the shop here.
Experience the luxury of artisan craftsmanship with O* olga korstanje’s handmade leather handbags. Each one crafted with care and love, timeless bags that last a lifetime.
Interested? Discover where to find the collection on the map below:
