4 June 2023
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Are you looking for a timeless, leather handbag that is ethically made with eco-friendly materials? Then you’ve come to the right place. At COSH!, we collected 18 stylish and sustainable handbag labels located in Belgium, Spain and The Netherlands. When you buy a high-quality handbag that is produced close to home, you reduce your ecological footprint. Moreover, leather can last a lifetime. Thus, you don’t have to buy a new one every year, which makes it a smart investment! Curious about our tips? Make sure to read on!
1. Pure x Awardt
Pure and Awardt are turning 20! That deserves a celebration and what better way than through a collaboration between these two fair fashion shops. Meet their new design, the 100% PURE bag. This handbag has loads of space, so you can easily put away all your purchases during a local shopping trip. The design is timeless and suitable for all occasions, because Pure stands for aesthetics that last. The pockets on the front bring to the bag a playful touch and the crowning feature is that this bag is made from eco-leather.
Create the handbag of your dreams
2. Mien Kaba
In the workshop of Mien Kaba in Sint-Andries, near Brugge, you can make an appointment to create the handmade bag of your dreams. Dominique is a real craftswoman and all handbags are made to measure. This way, Mien Kaba avoids overstock and only creates unique pieces by the customers’ request. Dominique is very passionate about her job and uses different kinds of leather, including fish leather.
Would you like to see Mien Kaba’s bags in real life? Then pay a visit (by appointment) to her studio in Bruges.
Create your own handbag from rescued leather
3. Monsak
Looking for a made-to-measure handbag concept in The Netherlands? Then Monsak in Amsterdam is the place to be. Margriet has always been passionate about bags but could never find the perfect bag that fitted all her needs. That’s why she started working with her mother’s leather machine to create her own handbags. A hobby quickly became a successful business, Monsak. In 2012 Magriet opened her studio in Amsterdam where she makes unique and minimalistic bags. All bags are made from rescued leather, which was previously rejected by large fashion houses that have strict quality rules. Margriet turns this leather into timeless backpacks, shoulder bags, crossbody bags and shoppers.
Do you already have your dream bag in mind, Monsak works made-to-measure. Feeling creative and want to learn how to make your own handbag? Then you can follow a workshop at her atelier. To top it off, when your Monsak breaks down, Margriet can bring it back to life. This way you have a bag you can enjoy for years!
Are you curious why Monsak is so sustainable? Read more in our brand screening.
Iconic, Belgian handbags
4. Award/t
The Belgian brand Award/t makes iconic handbags for distinctive, self-confident women. The brands’ vision is: “Don’t hide your unique traits, flaunt them”. The accessory brand was founded by Wies and Els and is completely female-powered! All bags are handmade in Belgium in their workshop in Mechelen. You can find their models in several colours and shapes.
Would you like to read more about how sustainable Awardt is? View our brand screening here. Or see in which sustainable stores you can find these beautiful bags. You can see where they are located on the map at the bottom of the brand screening.
Unique, ecological and ethical bags
5. MYoMY
You may already know this brand from the iconic leather MY PAPER BAG, but MYoMY has many more beautiful leather bags to offer! At MYoMY, ethical production and quality are top priorities. The intention is that you can enjoy your purchase for years to come. At COSH! are we fans of that approach!
MYoMY is produced in an ethical manner in two small-scale factories in Bangladesh and India. In addition, the bags are made from ecologically tanned leather and recycled materials. Looking for a vegan bag? No worries! MYoMY is also experimenting with different vegan materials with a leather look like AppleSkin.
Do you want to read more about the brand? Then click here. Or take a look around the MYoMY store in the 9 streets in Amsterdam and ask for advice. Moreover, MYoMY can be found at many other sustainable stores, you can see where they are located on the map at the bottom of the brand screening.
Handcrafted made-to-order bags and accessories
6. Studio Roem
Looking for a leather shopper, fanny pack, wallet or another leather accessory such as a belt? Studio Roem produces it on demand at their own workshop in Amsterdam! Studio Roem’s products are carefully put together with love from high-quality European leather, every piece of leather is used.
All leather goods are timeless and designed with inspiration from nature. Each bag is unique and will last for years. That’s why Studio Roem offers a 100-year guarantee, eternal glory! Nice detail: you can have Studio Roem’s leather goods engraved with a personal message. Want to know more about the brand? Then read on here.
Minimalistic handbags with a Belgian design
7. Mieke Dierckx
Belgian designer Mieke Dierckx started her brand in 2012 and gets inspired by ‘everyday life’. The bags in her collection are timeless, minimalistic and have a unique design. All handbags are designed in Mieke’s workshop in Westerlo and are handmade in a small workshop in Portugal, with whom she sustains a close relationship.
Mieke Dierckx makes handbags and purses in limited editions and also creates unique pieces from time to time. You can certainly go there for an elegant leather bag with a Belgian design. The bags are available in various colours and are not seasonal.
Timeless B‑Certified leather bags
8. O My Bag
Are you looking for the perfect bag that fits every outfit and various occasions for years? Then chances are you’ll find it at Amsterdam-based brand O My Bag. Paulien Wesselink founded the brand in 2011 with the aim of giving something back to the community and the environment.
The handbags and wallets are made from high-quality leather that is tanned without harmful chemicals. The production of O My Bag takes place in India and China, in factories with whom the brand has been collaborating for years. Moreover, O My Bag won the Sustainable Leather Awards in 2015 and is a Certified B Corporation.
Want to read more about how sustainable O My Bag is and where you can buy the brand? View our brand screening here.
Made to order bags with clean Antwerp design
9. Sofie Darche
Are you looking for a timeless leather bag with a clean look? Then a bag from Sofie Darche may be the perfect fit for you. Bags from this Antwerp brand are handmade, partly by Sofie Darche herself in Antwerp and partly in a certified workshop in Romania. The bags are made from European leather that is tanned in Italy. The material lasts a long time and has good resistance against dirt and water.
Craftsmanship, sustainability and transparency are key for Sofie Darche. To avoid overproduction and waste she only works on the demand. In addition, all bags are timeless, so you can enjoy your Sofie Darche for a long time.
Sofie Darche can be found at a number of sustainable stores, you can see where they are located on the map at the bottom of the brand screening.
Sustainable bags made from organic leather
10. Lies Mertens
At Lies Mertens you’ll find minimalistic handbags, designed in Belgium and produced in Portugal from 100% organic leather. For designer Lies Mertens it all started with a search for a versatile, high-quality handbag without frills. That’s why her first bags are very personal and reflect her own needs and taste.
Today, each design is inspired by real people who intrigue her: a homage to their lives, dreams and ideals. The striking thing about the bags of Lies Mertens is that she puts people she knows to work to design and develop their handbag.
Read the brand screening and discover on the map at the bottom of the page where you can buy the sustainable handbags from Lies Mertens.
The unique look of fish skin
11. Ms. Bay
Did you know salmon skins can be turned into stylish bags? Antwerp-based brand Ms. Bay makes it happen! Founders Saskia Aelen and Lawrence Dedroog started the brand because they were concerned about the unsustainable nature of fast fashion.
Salmon skins are a waste product of the fishing industry. Only 1% of all salmon skins are currently recycled. So why not use them to make bags? The salmon skin used by Ms. Bay comes from sustainable fisheries in Europe and is tanned with 100% vegetable materials. The bags themselves are ethically produced in India. The result? A chic handbag with a unique story!
HANDMADE LEATHER BAGS, MADE LOCALLY IN ROTTERDAM
12. O* olga korstanje
O* olga korstanje is the bag brand of designer Olga Korstanje. The studio is located in her shop in Rotterdam, so you can take a look behind the scenes at how the bags are made. The bags are made here by Olga herself, according to traditional leather techniques. This way you can be sure that your purchase has been made with great care and love. If there is something wrong with your bag, you can also have it repaired at Olga. This way your favorite bag will last even longer!
Would you like to read more about how sustainable the bags by O* olga korstanje are? Read the brand screening here.
Give your leather handbag a makeover
13. HOIHOI
Would you like to keep your beloved leather handbag in use, but could it use a makeover? HOIHOI is a professional repair service for luxury shoes, belts and designer handbags. With the help of HOIHOI, your bag can be restored to its full glory or stains can be removed from the leather. This way you can enjoy your favorite bag for many more years!.
The leather repair workshop is located behind a house in Oosterzele, near Ghent, but HOIHOI offers a fully digital service. Read more about HOIHOI’s working method here.
Leather handbags, made locally in Rotterdam
14. Zoë Detrez
Looking for a unique and timeless handbag? The designer Zoë Detrez makes unique, made-to-order bags in her studio in Rotterdam. Her designs are elegant, minimalist and are not connected to gender or seasons.
The bag collection is made of vegetable tanned cow leather, from Europe. In addition, she does not use a lining, so that the bag consists 100% of the same material. Recycling is then extra easy!
Want to read more about how sustainable Zoë Detrez’s handbags are? Read our brand screening here.
Japanese-inspired multifunctional bag
15. Fukuroshiki
Want to look good and carry a sustainable bag everywhere you go? This innovative, highly aesthetic brand offers you a unique, versatile and luxurious bag. Christian, founder of Fukuroshiki, together with Andrea and Paula, creates bags with a unique design and 7 different functionalities, each one different, so you can adapt and use it for different occasions of the day to day.
They are made in Spain with recycled leather, coming from cow leather waste that cannot be reused, thus avoiding more landfill waste and contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact.
Curious about Fukuroshiki’s full story? Read more here.
Do you prefer a vegan bag? We’ve got you!
Bags made from leftover fabrics
16. koda amsterdam
koda amsterdam’s circular bags are ethically made in Dutch workshops. With an eye for quality, cutting scraps of curtain fabric, furniture upholstery and tents are transformed into stylish pouches, bags, cushions and plaids. Note: not all bags are 100% vegan, as some have leather handles.
koda amsterdam is proof that circularity, social employment and style go hand in hand. Curious about koda’s full story? Read on here.
Knitted bags
17. La Femme Garniture
Looking for a totebag made from a unique fabric? At Ghent-based brand La Femme Garniture, you will find bags made of colourful knits. While the fabric of these is vegan, the handles are made of leather.
The entire collection is Belgian-made and most of the materials come from Western Europe. In short, La Femme Garniture completes your outfit with its unique statement bags. Want to read more about the brand? Click here.
Inclusive handbags made from second-hand materials
18. Shakosse
‘Shakosse’ means handbag in West-Flemish and is also a circular brand founded by 18-year old Warre. He makes all the handbags himself by hand in West-Flanders, using second-hand fabrics such as fabric from a second-hand shop or his own grandmother’s fabric. This makes each bag unique! One bag has a flower print, the other is made from denim or has a check pattern. Warre strives to make handbags for everyone! With Shakosse he wants to break gender stereotypes and create cool handbags with focus on ecology, slow fashion and sustainability.
Would you like to know more about why Shakosse is so sustainable? Read more here.
Want to discover more sustainable clothing and accessories? Check out our shopping guide and find sustainable fashion in your style and within your budget!
Also read:
Is vegan leather better for the environment?
The story behind your leather handbag and shoes
