Each of our bags has been carefully crafted from only the very best natural, sustainably sourced materials.

We only use vegetable tanned biodegradable New Zealand NAKED COW leather, recycled by-product leather, pineapple leather, and GOTS certified organic cotton canvas. Each is sustainably sourced, then carefully hand selected for each bag and accessory by our master craftsman.

NAKED Leather

With our New Zealand NAKED COW ™ Leather, now you can carry a piece of New Zealand with you everyday.

Purposefully created with a neutral PH, this leather is completely biodegradable due to a special tannage made from natural vegetable oils and cashew extracts. It is dyed in India near to where our workshop is situated, in a tannery that holds the BSCI and Leather Working Group (Gold) certifications. These unique pieces are also non-allergenic and anti-viral, and age beautifully.

Our vegetable tanned New Zealand cow leather comes from the pastures of Oamaru in Otago, and Invercargill in Southland, and is a by-product of the grass-fed food industry here in New Zealand. Our farmers work hand-in-hand with nature to ensure luxurious leather, while sustaining an environmental legacy to be passed on to generations to come.

Repurposed by-product leather

In our Bali workshop we craft using repurposed by-product leather, which is taken from other brands surplus. This leather would usually be thrown away due to small defects in the hide, which large factories won't use in their machines. Luckily we have the ability to cut around these small defects and repurpose the rest of the leather. Our master craftsman hand picks each roll-end from Jakarta and also local sellers near our workshop, paying careful attention to how each one looks and feels. This unique way of working means that no two bags are ever exactly the same, due to the grain and natural markings in each hide.

Organic cotton canvas

For our canvas bags we use GOTS certified organic cotton, which is handwoven on traditional wooden looms into our unique cotton canvas. This is dyed using plant based, azo-free dyes, then handcrafted into bags in our India workshop.

Pineapple leather

Pineapple leather (or Piñatex) is our natural leather alternative that is made from the cellulose fibres of pineapple leaves. The leaves are a by-product of pineapple harvest, which would otherwise be thrown away or burned. By creating a strong, durable fabric from these leaves, it allows farmers to fully utilise their entire crop, providing additional income. Pinatex is made very much in a similar way to felt, thus is strong and has a textured feel to it. Pineapple leather is a great alternative leather material to use, and we love it because we're supporting another certified B Corporation Ananas Anam by using it! Learn more on our blog here.

 

Reducing waste

In order to reduce waste in our production process, we use as much of each material as we can, by hand cutting and carefully placing each pattern to ensure there is as little waste produced as possible. Whatever material isn’t used, our workshop managers collate to be used for things like our keyrings and tassels, wristlets or zipper ends.

The full package

Your bag will arrive on your doorstep in a biodegradable mail bag, which you can pop into your home compost (please remove the labels first. This will degrade in around 90 days). Inside you'll find your bag presented in a reusable, natural cotton drawstring bag. This will also contain a story card and a hangtag signed by the craftsman who made it. Learn more about what to do with your reusable drawstring bag here.

Material care

Wondering how to care for your Duffle&Co bags and accessories? Learn more here.