Ann Kurz

Production locations

• Spain (Elche, Alicante)

Working conditions & wages

According to ann kurz, every bag is handmade in the brand’s own family-run workshop in Elche. Around 12 people work there, and the bags are also packed, shipped and repaired on site.

The brand says it works mainly with regional suppliers and visits these partner businesses in person.

Spain is an EU country with a statutory minimum wage and occupational safety laws. This lowers the risk of poor working conditions.

Materials

• Cowhide leather: nappa, suede, grained leather, glossy and metallic leather, croc-print leather
• Vegetable-tanned cowhide leather
• Recycled cotton
• Recycled polyester
• Polyester
• Microfibre
• Metal hardware

According to ann kurz, the leather comes from tanneries certified Silver or Gold by the Leather Working Group (LWG). The LWG audits tanneries on aspects such as their management of water, energy and chemicals. Gold is the highest level.

The leather is not chrome-free tanned. However, the brand says the use of chrome is controlled. Black and brown leathers are vegetable-tanned.

According to the brand, the lining fabric holds a Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certificate of conformity, issued by the Institute for Ethical and Environmental Certification (ICEA). The GRS verifies the share of recycled fibres as well as certain environmental and social criteria in processing. However, one third of the lining is made from virgin polyester.

Packaging

• The bags are shipped in cardboard boxes, with recycled paper and tissue paper inside. Recycled poly bags protect them against scratches.
• According to the brand, ann kurz uses the same packaging for parcels within its supply chain.

Water use & chemicals

Tanning is one of the most water- and chemical-intensive steps in leather production. The brand’s main tannery is LWG Gold certified. This means its water and chemical management is externally audited.

According to ann kurz, its leather suppliers are also assessed against the EU chemicals regulation REACH. REACH is legally required for all products on the EU market and is therefore a minimum standard.

According to the brand, the lining manufacturer runs entirely on electricity from solar panels.

Circular product design

The bags combine leather, a textile lining and metal hardware. On top of that, the lining itself is a blend of natural and synthetic fibres. Material mixes like these are difficult to recycle at end of life.

Still, leather is durable when cared for properly.

According to the brand, leather offcuts from production are turned into small cases and accessories.

Circular business model

ann kurz offers a repair service. Customers simply send an email, and the bag is then repaired in the brand’s own workshop for a fee. The brand says a good bag should accompany you for many years.

No take-back scheme is offered.

Distance & complexity of the supply chain

• Production site: Elche, Spain (own workshop)
• Tannery: Lorca, 117 km from Elche. This third-generation family business has been tanning leather for 75 years and is LWG Gold certified.
• Other tanneries are located near the workshop in Spain, and some in Italy.
• Lining: Mariola (Alicante), 77 km from the workshop.
• Yarns: Bocairent, Spain
• Headquarters: ann kurz was founded in Elche, Spain

Transport

• In the supply chain: distances are short, as most suppliers are located within a radius of around 120 km. According to the brand, all transport is by lorry.
• In e‑commerce: products are shipped from the workshop in Alicante. The label uses local postal services for delivery.

• Cowhide leather (nappa, suede, grained, glossy and metallic leather)
• Origin: according to the brand, the tanneries are located in Spain and Italy and are LWG certified. The LWG certification covers the tannery, not animal husbandry.

ann kurz does not mention an animal welfare policy, the origin of the animals or any animal welfare certification.

In a blog post, ann kurz explains why the brand uses real leather. According to the brand, many vegan leather alternatives are plastic-based and less durable. ann kurz says it is actively looking for a plant-based, plastic-free alternative.

Product design

ann kurz makes bags and accessories for women: crossbody bags, clutches, half-moon bags, baguette bags, shoppers, belt bags, pouches, phone bags and purses. The shapes are classic and the colours timeless.

Slow fashion processes

According to ann kurz, the bags are made in small batches. The brand works with pre-orders: stores place their orders first, and only then does production begin.

Two collections are released each year.

The brand’s motto: bags that last years, not seasons.

Product transparency

On the product pages, customers can find the material and the place of manufacture. Detailed information on the tanning method or the origin of the leather is not communicated. This means customers cannot trace exactly where the materials of the products come from.

Process transparency

On its website and blog, ann kurz offers insights into its founding story, its own workshop and its choice of materials.

The brand names its most important suppliers, including the main tannery and the lining manufacturer.

The origin of the cowhides and the names of the Italian tanneries are not disclosed.

There is also no sustainability report available.