PRODUCTION LOCATIONS
- Belgium
WORKING CONDITIONS & WAGES
The products are handmade in the brand’s own atelier in Kortemark, Belgium. The founder works in production and also runs the workshops.
For the made-to-measure leather, the Italian tannery holds an ICEC social accountability certification covering working conditions at the tannery.
MATERIALS
- European leather (vegetable-tanned for the belts)
- Leather offcuts (stocklots from suppliers in Belgium and the Netherlands)
- European fittings and hardware
- For made-to-measure pieces, the Italian leather is supplied by the tannery in Arzignano, which offers chrome-free and metal-free leather qualities
Do you know about the environmental impact of leather?
PACKAGING
- For shipping, Atelier Loulou reuses packaging from incoming orders wherever possible. When no suitable box is available, a cardboard box is used. To protect them in transit, the belts are also wrapped in tissue paper.
WATER USE & CHEMICALS
The leather for the belts comes from a tannery in Portugal that works exclusively with vegetable-tanned leather and is ISO-certified (ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015). The tannery has specialised in vegetable-tanned leather since it was founded in 1933 and works with European raw materials.
For made-to-measure pieces, some leather is sourced from a tannery in Arzignano, Italy, which holds an LWG (Leather Working Group) Gold-rated environmental audit certificate, an ISO 9001:2015 certificate for quality management, and an ICEC “Healthy Leather” certification for its chrome-free leather. Its chrome-free “Healthy Leather” line is developed in line with the EU REACH regulations on chemical safety, and the tannery states that it works to reduce its water use and its use of solvents.
For small leather goods, the founder states that chrome-tanned leather is used more often.
CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN
Leather is a hard-wearing material that can usually be repaired, and the atelier offers repairs and adjustments at any time.
With handbags, customers receive care instructions as well as a dust bag for storage.
CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODEL
The atelier carries out repairs regularly and refurbishes products. Adjustments and repairs are possible at any time on request.
DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN
- Belgium (Kortemark, West Flanders): the brand’s own atelier
- Portugal (tanning of the belts)
- Italy (tanning for made-to-measure pieces)
- Belgium and the Netherlands (sourcing of leather offcuts)
- Atelier Loulou is based in Kortemark, Belgium
TRANSPORT
- Made-to-measure pieces are often collected in person by customers at the atelier.
- For shipping, Atelier Loulou works with bpost.
- Leather
- Origin: Europe
The leather for the belts comes from a tannery in Portugal that works exclusively with vegetable-tanned leather and is ISO-certified (ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015). The tannery has specialised in vegetable-tanned leather since it was founded in 1933 and works with European raw materials.
For made-to-measure pieces, some leather is sourced from an Italian tannery, which holds an LWG Gold certification and offers a chrome-free and metal-free leather quality. The tannery also holds a raw-materials traceability certificate. According to the tannery, this certificate confirms that the hides come from animals reared on legally operating farms, in dignified and healthy conditions, and not linked to deforestation.
PRODUCT DESIGN
Atelier Loulou offers products for various audiences, including women and men. The range includes belts, body jewellery and bow ties. On top of that, there is a workshop and DIY-kit offer.
The products are made to order and to measure, so that size, colour and finish can be individually adjusted, which supports a longer lifespan.
SLOW FASHION PROCESSES
Atelier Loulou does not work with seasonal collections, but has a permanent range that is gradually expanded with new designs.
The products are made to order and to measure, which is in line with the slow fashion principle and avoids overproduction.
PRODUCT TRANSPARENCY
Atelier Loulou’s product pages contain basic information about the products, including fitting options, a size chart and a product description with a note on the material. Personalisation options are also listed.
Customers learn that the products are handmade in Belgium and that the leather is of European origin. The leather for the belts is tanned in Portugal, and for made-to-measure pieces partly in Italy. This allows a certain degree of traceability.
PROCESS TRANSPARENCY
Customers learn that the products are handmade in Belgium and that the leather is of European origin. On request, the founder names her tanneries specifically to COSH!. The details are not fully published on the website, but are shared above all in direct contact with her customers.
As a small, owner-run label, Atelier Loulou has a very manageable supply chain, which structurally supports transparency.
Customers also have the option of contacting the founder directly, which allows for a personal and direct exchange.
Conclusion
Atelier Loulou is a Belgian label that makes made-to-measure leather belts, accessories and jewellery from European leather tanned in Portugal, with made-to-measure pieces partly tanned in Italy. Discover handcrafted belts, waist belts, body jewellery and more, or express your creativity in one of the leather workshops.
