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.

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.

Lizard-effect cowhide leather
Lizard-effect cowhide leather
Our lizard-effect leather is stamped on cowhide, with a special wash treatment that is applied by hand, which gives the leather a more authentic, slightly matt look. Produced at a tannery in Italy that's silver rated by the Leather Working Group, where they specialise in reptile printing on leathers.
Our lizard-effect leather is stamped on cowhide, with a special wash treatment that is applied by hand, which gives the leather a more authentic, slightly matt look. Produced at a tannery in Italy that's silver rated by the Leather Working Group, where they specialise in reptile printing on leathers.

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.

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.