Allan K

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS 

• Belgium
• India

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

The company’s headquarters are located in Belgium. This is where product development and sales take place. The country offers high labour standards, good legal protection for employees and stable social conditions.

In India, particularly in the Madras region, the vegetable-tanned goatskin is processed and made into hand-woven bags. The Madras region in India is known worldwide for its high-quality leather processing. At the same time, there are certain risks in the local industry, such as low wages, a lack of social insurance and sometimes inadequate safety standards. Allan K counters these challenges by working directly with selected local workshops over many years. The founder himself worked as an agent in India for many years and has built up close, trusting relationships with the producers. This partnership is based on technical expertise and a shared understanding of quality and craftsmanship.

There is no mention of regular site visits or formal certifications

Allan K’s products are handmade and the brand works with small workshops in India that specialise in the production of braided leather. Craftsmanship is at the centre of the label, which is based on many years of technical and family experience in the field of leather braiding.
 

MATERIALS 

• Goatskin

Allan K mainly uses vegetable-tanned goatskin from the Madras region in India, which is at the centre of the collections. Vegetable tanning is considered more environmentally friendly than conventional chrome tanning, as natural tannins from bark or leaves are used. This reduces the use of harmful chemicals and minimises the pollution of waste water. At the same time, the process is more time-consuming and resource-intensive. Differences in colour and texture in the leather are typical of this tanning method and give each product an individual touch. Information on certifications is not available, which makes it difficult to trace and assess the ecological standards.

PACKAGING

The company does not provide any information on which packaging materials are used in e‑commerce or along the supply chain. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

The brand uses vegetable-tanned leather. This form of tanning is generally associated with a reduced use of chemicals, as vegetable tannins are used instead of synthetic substances. This can have a positive effect on water consumption and waste water quality.

There is no information on certifications that would allow an independent assessment of the ecological impact.

As the main material is leather, a microplastic problem is less likely, but information on additional materials such as linings is not public.

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

Allan K’s products are essentially made from vegetable-tanned goatskin, which is processed using a spiral cutting technique developed by Ivans – the founder’s father. A particularly long, uniform strip is obtained from a single hide, which increases material efficiency and reduces waste. These leather strips are then processed into the characteristic braided patterns. 

The exclusive use of this leather means that it is largely a mono-material, which is advantageous from a circular perspective as no plant-based and synthetic materials are combined. However, the brand does not provide any information on additional components such as linings, zips or metal parts that could potentially be made from other materials and thus limit recyclability.

There is no reference to a take-back system for used bags. There is also no mention of a repair or reuse strategy.

Allan K bags are handmade and particularly sturdy thanks to their braiding technique. This generally speaks in favour of a long service life. Whether the products can be easily repaired (e.g. by local craftsmen or by the brand itself) is not explained.

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

Although Allan K manufactures handcrafted and potentially durable products, the website states that there is no structured strategy for extending the product life cycle or returning used items to the material cycle.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

• Belgium 
• India 
• The Allan K headquarters are located in Antwerp, Belgium

TRANSPORTATION

• There is no information on means of transport within the supply chain or in e‑commerce.

• Goatskin
• Origin: India (Madras region)

No information on certifications is available. 

The brand has no published code of conduct regarding animal materials.

PRODUCT DESIGN 

Allan K produces hand-woven bags, accessories and shoes such as sandals, ballerinas and slingbacks, which are primarily aimed at women. 

The collection is characterised by timeless, elegant designs and places great emphasis on craftsmanship and high-quality materials. Each piece reflects the combination of traditional leather craftsmanship with a modern, stylish approach.

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

Allan K has a permanent collection to which new designs are gradually added. The brand does not follow a classic seasonal rhythm with several collections per year, but instead favours the continuous expansion of existing lines.

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

The Allan K product pages only provide basic information on the respective items. In addition to the product name and price, there is information on the colour, the material used and the product type. There is also a link to a separate page with care instructions.

However, there is a lack of detailed information about the origin, the countries of production or the workshops involved. Costumers do not know where or under what conditions their product was manufactured. There is therefore no individual traceability and transparency regarding the production process remains limited.

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

Allan K provides only limited information about its production processes and suppliers. The brand website contains a general narrative about the company’s history, in particular the technical development by the founder and his father and the long-standing cooperation with workshops in India. However, no specific suppliers or production sites are mentioned by name.

The information available can only be found on general pages of the website – for example in the section about the brand or in the product description – and cannot be traced back to specific products. It is not possible to trace the exact origin or production route of an individual item.