purpose

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Belgium

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES 

The handbags and accessories are designed and made in the atelier in Bruges. Here, designer Marlies herself makes all the designs by hand. You can take a look behind the scenes at the brand yourself, as the atelier and workshop area is located inside the shop. 

This way, we can be sure that every bag is made with love and attention to detail; ethically and locally. Since 2020, purpose has even been a proud ambassador for the Handmade in Brugge label! 

MATERIALS 

• Leather 

purpose uses leftover leather for its collections, almost exclusively cowhide. The brand mainly uses trimmings from other brands, but also deadstock or hides that were rejected due to minor defects. This way, purpose can utilize more sustainable, high-quality materials without contributing to the leather industry’s negative environmental impact. 

PACKAGING 

purpose does not disclose what packaging materials are used. 

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS 

Leather can either be chrome tanned or vegetable tanned, and as the brand uses residual and deadstock materials they cannot always find out which method was used in the leather’s processing. Chrome tanning uses chemicals to treat the leather; a highly toxic method which can have a detrimental impact on the environment and even human health. On the other hand, vegetable tanning uses tree bark and plants to preserve the leather, requiring no chemical substances and therefore significantly reducing its environmental impact. purpose aims to take this into account by also buying vegetable-tanned hides that were rejected due to colour differences or minor defects. 

Want to know more about sustainable leather and the issues in the leather industry? Then be sure to read our article on leather here! 

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN 

The purpose collection consists entirely of recycled leather derived from offcuts and deadstock. By processing these materials into handbags, accessories, and interior decorations, purpose prevents the leather from ending up in landfills. Moreover, by doing so the brand ensures that no new animal skins are needed. 

purpose also takes circularity into consideration by designing some products without lining or zips. This makes the bags easier to repair and recycle after use. 

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS 

To further close the loop, the Bruges-based brand also offers a recovery service. If stitching comes loose or your bag has any other defect, you can certainly visit the atelier for repair or maintenance. 

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN 

Production locations: 

• Belgium 

To minimise transport, all leather is sourced from European suppliers. Unfortunately, there is little transparency in the leather industry, so this is no guarantee that the animals have lived in Europe. However, this does mean that the overall supply chain is kept relatively short and simple. 

TRANSPORTATION 

purpose does not disclose what transportation methods are used in the supply chain on their website. The short supply chain does however mean that the associated transportation emissions are reduced. 

• Leather

purpose uses cow and pig leather, so at first glance it does not appear to be an animal-friendly brand. Yet the brand does well regarding animal welfare by not using new hides. This way, purpose utilises cuts and deadstock that may otherwise end up in landfills. 

PRODUCT DESIGN 

purpose may have a fixed collection of designs, yet no two handbags are identical. Each bag is made depending on the material, so every bag is unique! 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES 

The brand works largely made to order, meaning that the bag is made after you have ordered it. This way, you can assemble the bag of your dreams, and the brand prevents overstock. Of course, purpose does also have some bags in stock in its shop and webshop. To make way for new collections, they also participate in sales. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT

Unfortunately, there is still a huge lack of transparency in the leather industry. This is detrimental for small brands like purpose, as it makes the exact origin of the leather untraceable. However, purpose aims for high levels of transparency through their product pages and website which explain where their residual leather is sourced from, and where production takes place. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES

Since the purpose studio is located in the shop, you can easily take a behind-the-scenes look at the brand yourself. The brand also sat down with COSH! to share more information about its materials and production techniques. 

Would you like to work with leather yourself, or are you looking for a fun activity to do with friends, family, or colleagues? You can even join Purpose for a fun workshop. The brand runs both private and group workshops, ideal as a birthday gift or bachelorette party!