Guided by the size and shape of the reclaimed materials, Rut and her trusted colleagues wield their astonishing skills, crafting a symphony of couch bags, backpacks, and travel companions. The team of four is highly skilled and meticulously crafts each bag at the brand’s Berlin-Schöneberg atelier. Another colleague scours the streets of Berlin looking for and collecting forgotten and unwanted leather couches and seats that are transformed into one-of-a-kind creations bearing the mark of their previous existence, adorned with a patina of memories and delicate traces.
Rut Meybourg is exemplary in her upcycling practice. Throughout the entire process of crafting one of her unique accessories, Ruth and her colleague try to implement upcycling and sustainability as consistently as possible. The furniture frames and upholstery that remain after reclaimed leather couches and seats have been disassembled are sent to Berlin’s recycling centres. The straps and handles of the various bag models are partly made from old packing straps or belts that are reworked or customised for a perfect fit. Selected linings, mostly remnants from tailors and old curtains, and recycled belt buckles are used. Only the zips or rivets are made of virgin materials. Since all sofas are transported via cargo bike, the brand has a hyper-local approach, working solely in Berlin’s Schöneberg, Friedenau and Wilmersdorf districts. Customers can obtain a practical cotton “Pfandtasche” or deposit bag for safeguarding the leather. The deposited €20 are refunded once the bag has been returned.
meyburg is inherently circular, working almost exclusively with upcycled materials apart from its rivets and zippers. Free repairs for brand purchases are offered while repairs for other leather goods come at a small cost. Their introduction of the cotton deposit bag is a strong incentive to rethink our use of the ubiquitous cotton tote, which is under criticism for being greenwashed.
meyburg’s hyper-local approach to leather, fabic and haberdashery sourcing, as well as the brand’s in-house craftsmanship production guarantee a short supply chain. Meyburg cannot fully trace the rivets and zippers and assumes these are of Chinese origin.
The brand’s leather bags are of animal origin, yet are solely made of upcycled leather fabric. This saves valuable resources and extends the lifecycle of this premium material.
At each stage of creation, from the inception of patterns to the delicate dance of cutting and the selection of linings, Rut Meyburg elevates each individual bag to becoming a unique treasure. She also personally tailors and customises bags to encapsulate individual desires. In today’s present discard-culture driven by hyper-consumption, her bags are a testament to craftsmanship and slow fashion.
Rut Meyburg’s brand is a transparent local force to behold. As all sofas are sourced within biking distance, it is most likely possible to map out the exact origin of each individual bag’s discarded leather. The brand’s communication could be more transparent regarding the sourcing of zippers and rivets.
Conclusion
Rut Meyburg’s atelier stands as a beacon of sustainable creativity, where discarded materials find purpose, and the echoes of the past converge with a vibrant future. Every step of the transformative journey meyburg leather bags undergo, sustainability takes centre stage. From meticulous pattern-making to the careful art of sewing and riveting, each aspect contributes to the individuality of these remarkable companions. Through Rut Meyburg’s approach, a harmonious blend of artistry and eco-responsibility unfolds, offering a glimpse into a more conscious way of cherishing materials and honouring their history.
