Our Values
Sustainable Materials
Sustainable Materials
Our aim at DeMellier is to use materials that are sustainable as possible. All our leathers are a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste and we never use exotic leathers. They are all responsibly sourced mainly from Europe, USA and Australia and none come from areas at risk of deforestation, such as Brazil. We only work with tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group with the majority being top rated Gold or Silver for its advanced sustainability, traceability and social practices. We extend our sustainability efforts to all our materials, from considered leathers and organic canvas to plastic-free raffia and recycled reinforcements.
Smooth bovine leather
Smooth bovine leather
We use three types of smooth cow leather, one firmer for structured bags and two softer for relaxed shapes. All are top quality full grained leathers from two tanneries in the north Italy top rated Gold by the Leather Working Group. They have a light finishing to ensure its durability while maintaining the natural feel and softness of the leather. The leathers are sustainably sourced from the USA and Europe where they are a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste.
We use three types of smooth cow leather, one firmer for structured bags and two softer for relaxed shapes. All are top quality full grained leathers from two tanneries in the north Italy top rated Gold by the Leather Working Group. They have a light finishing to ensure its durability while maintaining the natural feel and softness of the leather. The leathers are sustainably sourced from the USA and Europe where they are a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste.
Small grain bovine leather
Small grain bovine leather
Our small grained leather is a top quality full grained bovine leather and comes from a tannery also located in the north of Italy, Gold rated by the Leather Working Group. It is a naturally soft leather with a rounded touch. It has a light finishing to ensure its durability while maintaining the natural feel and softness of the leather. The leathers are sustainably sourced from North America where they are a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste.
Our small grained leather is a top quality full grained bovine leather and comes from a tannery also located in the north of Italy, Gold rated by the Leather Working Group. It is a naturally soft leather with a rounded touch. It has a light finishing to ensure its durability while maintaining the natural feel and softness of the leather. The leathers are sustainably sourced from North America where they are a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste.
Grain bovine leather
Grain bovine leather
Our grained leather is a top quality full grained cow leather and comes from a tannery in Spain, Silver rated by the Leather Working Group. It is a naturally soft leather with a slightly larger grain than our small grain leather. It has a light finishing to ensure its durability while maintaining the natural feel and softness of the leather. The leathers are sustainably sourced from the North of Africa where they are a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste.
Our grained leather is a top quality full grained cow leather and comes from a tannery in Spain, Silver rated by the Leather Working Group. It is a naturally soft leather with a slightly larger grain than our small grain leather. It has a light finishing to ensure its durability while maintaining the natural feel and softness of the leather. The leathers are sustainably sourced from the North of Africa where they are a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste.
Smooth gold leather
Smooth gold leather
Our Smooth Gold is crafted from fine sheepskin that’s been laminated with a beautiful metallic foil. Once treated, the skins are washed to give the leather a luxuriously soft handfeel and to reduce the level of shine. The REACH legislated chrome tanned leather used is responsibly sourced from a LWG certified tannery in Pisa, Italy - an area known for its expertise.
Our Smooth Gold is crafted from fine sheepskin that’s been laminated with a beautiful metallic foil. Once treated, the skins are washed to give the leather a luxuriously soft handfeel and to reduce the level of shine. The REACH legislated chrome tanned leather used is responsibly sourced from a LWG certified tannery in Pisa, Italy - an area known for its expertise.
Sheepskin nappa leather
Sheepskin nappa leather
Our Sheepskin Nappa is rated Gold by the LWG and is sourced from a factory that solely works with this material. The result is a very fine and light Sheepskin Nappa that is perfect for soft bags and quilting leather. This specific tannery ensures that all their leathers are a by-product of the livestock industry to remove waste from their supply chain, establishing a circular process. Alongside this, they are committed to social responsibility activities and currently sponsor a local school to increase access to eduction in the area.
Our Sheepskin Nappa is rated Gold by the LWG and is sourced from a factory that solely works with this material. The result is a very fine and light Sheepskin Nappa that is perfect for soft bags and quilting leather. This specific tannery ensures that all their leathers are a by-product of the livestock industry to remove waste from their supply chain, establishing a circular process. Alongside this, they are committed to social responsibility activities and currently sponsor a local school to increase access to eduction in the area.
Croc effect bovine leathers
Croc effect bovine leathers
Our croc effect leathers are made with top quality full grained bovine leather finished with a small croc print for a refined effect. They are made by a tannery in the north of Italy certified Silver by the Leather Working Group. The leathers are sustainably sourced from Australia where they are a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste.
Our croc effect leathers are made with top quality full grained bovine leather finished with a small croc print for a refined effect. They are made by a tannery in the north of Italy certified Silver by the Leather Working Group. The leathers are sustainably sourced from Australia where they are a by-product of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste.
Dotted snake effect nappa leather
Dotted snake effect nappa leather
This snake-effect is achieved on stamped nappa leather and is offered in one colour: black with off-white dots. It's specially developed for DeMellier at a silver-rated, REACH-certified tannery in Tuscany, Italy - where a newly developed chemical-free chrome tanning method is used.
This snake-effect is achieved on stamped nappa leather and is offered in one colour: black with off-white dots. It's specially developed for DeMellier at a silver-rated, REACH-certified tannery in Tuscany, Italy - where a newly developed chemical-free chrome tanning method is used.
Suede cowhide leather
Suede cowhide leather
Sourced in Italy, our gold rated suede has a soft and velvety texture and has been finished with a special handbag polish for extra durability. The sustainable efforts implemented by our suede tannery have been recognised with multiple certificates; Blue Angel Eco label certified and USDA certified bio-based product. The tannery is implementing a water-based finishing process which includes building water purification plants and reducing carbon emissions.
Sourced in Italy, our gold rated suede has a soft and velvety texture and has been finished with a special handbag polish for extra durability. The sustainable efforts implemented by our suede tannery have been recognised with multiple certificates; Blue Angel Eco label certified and USDA certified bio-based product. The tannery is implementing a water-based finishing process which includes building water purification plants and reducing carbon emissions.
Shearling leather
Shearling leather
Our Shearling leather, rated Silver by LWG, specialises in sheepskin and shearling. The tannery embraces cutting-edge production technology to minimise environmental impact. They employ innovative processes to reduce harm to the environment and carefully manage raw material sourcing, energy consumption, and production inputs and outputs, even considering sustainability in global transportation. Notably, they hold ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications, demonstrating their dedication to quality, environmental management, and workplace safety.
Our Shearling leather, rated Silver by LWG, specialises in sheepskin and shearling. The tannery embraces cutting-edge production technology to minimise environmental impact. They employ innovative processes to reduce harm to the environment and carefully manage raw material sourcing, energy consumption, and production inputs and outputs, even considering sustainability in global transportation. Notably, they hold ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications, demonstrating their dedication to quality, environmental management, and workplace safety.
Sustainable raffia
Sustainable raffia
One would think that ‘raffia’ is made of natural materials, unfortunately we found out that most raffias in the market contain plastic fibres which we wanted to avoid as part of our sustainability values. After one year of research we found a sustainable raffia made in Italy with cotton and plant-based viscose fibres that are FSC approved. Our raffia has been woven on classic wooden handlooms by a family run factory in the north of Italy who have been making these incredible textures for over 100 years.
One would think that ‘raffia’ is made of natural materials, unfortunately we found out that most raffias in the market contain plastic fibres which we wanted to avoid as part of our sustainability values. After one year of research we found a sustainable raffia made in Italy with cotton and plant-based viscose fibres that are FSC approved. Our raffia has been woven on classic wooden handlooms by a family run factory in the north of Italy who have been making these incredible textures for over 100 years.
Palm baskets
Palm baskets
Our baskets are made from 100% natural palm leaves that are sourced and handwoven in Morocco. No toxins or pesticides have been used during the process. Each bag is a unique creation, handwoven individually by local artisans.
Our baskets are made from 100% natural palm leaves that are sourced and handwoven in Morocco. No toxins or pesticides have been used during the process. Each bag is a unique creation, handwoven individually by local artisans.
Capri raffia
Capri raffia
These raffia baskets are handwoven in Madagascar by seasoned female artisans, aided by an inspiring local social enterprise. The 100% natural raffia leaves used for the baskets are locally sourced, harvested, dried in the sun, and dyed with a high quality, chemical-free dye. With this purist, handbuilt process, each bag is subtly unique, with a placement of sumptuous DeMellier leather to finish.
These raffia baskets are handwoven in Madagascar by seasoned female artisans, aided by an inspiring local social enterprise. The 100% natural raffia leaves used for the baskets are locally sourced, harvested, dried in the sun, and dyed with a high quality, chemical-free dye. With this purist, handbuilt process, each bag is subtly unique, with a placement of sumptuous DeMellier leather to finish.
Cotton linings and reinforcements
Cotton linings and reinforcements
All our handbags are lined with sustainable 100% organic cotton. Our reinforcements are made in Italy from 100% recycled plastic and certified by the Global Recycled Standard, or cardboard from paper sources.
All our handbags are lined with sustainable 100% organic cotton. Our reinforcements are made in Italy from 100% recycled plastic and certified by the Global Recycled Standard, or cardboard from paper sources.