Annelies Timmermans

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Italy

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

Annelies Timmermans has been designing stylish handbags from her studio in Belgium for over 10 years. The bags are made in a small atelier in northern Italy; to ensure production takes place in safe and fair conditions, Annelies regularly visits the facility. This direct contact also ensures that the designer has much more control over the production process and quality of the bags. 

Unfortunately, COSH! can not verify what the working conditions are like elsewhere in the supply chain. 

MATERIALS 

• Leather 

Annelies Timmermans uses cow leather sourced from European suppliers for the collections. Some bags are also lined, although the brand doesn’t disclose what materials are used for the lining. 

PACKAGING 

Annelies Timmermans does not disclose what packaging materials are used. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

Leather can either be vegetable or chrome tanned, and Annelies Timmermans uses both varieties. Vegetable tanning uses tree bark and plants to preserve the leather, requiring no chemical substances and therefore significantly reducing its environmental impact. Chrome tanning however uses high volumes of chemicals, which can have a detrimental impact on both the environment and human health. Fortunately, Annelies Timmermans sources its leather from European suppliers, which will follow EU regulations regarding safe chemical management. 

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

Most of Annelies Timmermans’ bags are unlined and therefore 100% leather and easier to recycle at end-of-life. The circularity of the lined bags is harder to determine, as Annelies Timmermans does not disclose what lining material is used. 

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

Should your bag become damaged, Annelies Timmermans will help you find where you can get a quick repair. This way, you’ll be able to make good use of your purchases for longer. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

Production locations: 

• Italy 

Annelies Timmermans works with European suppliers as much as possible, but unfortunately the lack of transparency in the leather industry makes it impossible to trace the exact origin of the leather. This means that the overall length and complexity of the supply chain cannot be accurately determined. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Although the transportation methods used in Annelies Timmermans’ supply chain have not been disclosed on their website, the sourcing of leather from European suppliers reduces the carbon emissions associated with transport. 

• Leather 

Annelies Timmermans does not commit to animal welfare as the brand uses cow leather. It is not known where the leather comes from, or what conditions the animals live in. 

PRODUCT DESIGN

The bags are made with an eye for detail and high-quality materials, with fine finishes to show that they are made with quality techniques and attention to detail. This ensures that your purchases can last up to 10 years! Moreover, you will find tips and tricks on the website to make your bag shine even longer. 

The designs are stylish and timeless, often available in cheerful colours, helping to extend their lifespans beyond one user. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

Annelies Timmermans revived her brand in 2022 with some pre-order items. Since then, she has also launched a permanent collection of bags without a pre-order system. To support slow-fashion processes and enable the brand to work at their own pace, they always work with a fixed collection and small stocks. Throughout the year, new designs are occasionally added, or existing models updated with a new colour. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT 

As every product is manufactured in Italy, you’ll always know where your specific purchase was produced! The product pages also provide a detailed description of each bag and its measurements, so you can be sure that the bag is right for you. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES 

Unfortunately, there is very little transparency in the leather industry, which makes it impossible for a small brand like Annelies Timmermans to find out where the animal lived or where the leather was tanned and processed. 

The brand aims to improve its transparency by sharing information about its production workshop in Italy. The brand has also entered into a dialogue with COSH! to share more information about its supply chain.