CARV

General information

Minimal leather bags handmade in London.

CARV is an independent artisan business hand crafting leather bags and accessories in East London. Every CARV piece is crafted by hand using centuries-old hand leatherworking techniques and fine vegetable tanned leather.

Whilst tradition is implicit in the materials and production methods, there is nothing old fashioned about these bags - a minimal aesthetic runs through CARV designs, reimagining and breathing new life into our leatherworking heritage. A clean minimal design approach is taken, stripping away the fuss of traditional designs and highlighting details through simplicity and sharp structuring. This minimal approach showcases and complements the natural beauty of vegetable tanned leather.

CARV is a response to the throw-away fashion culture and need for more locally made, good quality products. It is a brand based on a strong belief in the benefits of a slower, more considered approach to fashion buying decisions, encouraging investment in lifetime pieces and quality over quantity. CARV is about contributing to and supporting local artisan craft and traditional tanneries in the modern fashion world.

A number of core principles underpin the CARV ethos:

Creating lasting pieces - Each piece is carefully made by hand from start to finish in East London ensuring it is well made and long lasting.

Focusing on quality over quantity - Limited numbers of each bag are made every year allowing attention to detail and lasting quality.

Using only chemical-free vegetable tanned leather - Meaning support for traditional British and Italian tanneries, materials that are kinder to the environment, and ensuring CARV bags age beautifully.

Local sourcing - All materials are sourced from local suppliers to support a diverse UK skills base and manufacturing economy.

Community - Becky actively promotes skills and knowledge exchange and is pleased to share information about leatherworking, suppliers and advice on setting up a small business.