Brand Spotlight: Le Tanneur

While we are well-versed in the most notable brands within the handbag world, many other equally impressive brands exist as well. Over a century ago, Le Tanneur Paris was founded by two men: one a leather worker, Monsieur Charles Bonnardel, and the other a third-generation tanner, Mr Francisque Bornex.

Since 1898, the brand’s focus has been steadfast: “Embodying French elegance and passing down our love of well-crafted materials and fine leatherwork.”

Brand Offerings

Le Tanneur prides itself on the materials used, with full-grained leather being paramount. The brand prefers leather whose surface has remained intact, natural, and with visible grain. The actual grain of the leather is the most notable part, so Le Tanneur chooses to use it.

There are a handful of newer designs, including the Emie and Emilie that I keep coming back to. The leatherwork and craftsmanship can be seen in the bag and leaves me wanting to explore it and try it out further.

As the bag world continues to expand, there is a refreshing aspect to having a bag that is steeped in heritage while not being as commonplace as other brands.

Made in France Designs

Knowing where a bag is made is imperative for many of us as we make purchasing decisions. While a brand may have roots in a specific country, it doesn’t always mean the bag is also made there. Le Tanneur prides itself on its history and bringing more production to France.

The “made in France” label holds strong significance for the brand and ties back to its century-old expertise. As the brand moves toward prioritizing manufacturing within France, right now there are offerings that fit this bill.

Le Tanneur’s goal is to preserve its historical know-how and showcase French leather craftsmanship. These are the designs proudly made in France for the brand that I am most drawn to.

For over 125 years, the brand has persevered and evolved with the times. An interesting fact to note is that its famed Sans Couture bag, which was introduced 125 years ago, is still a stand-out cornerstone bag of the brand. Historical touches with modern updates allow this bag to sit just as importantly in the lineup as it did when it was first introduced.