RSVP PARIS - Handmade Leather Goods

Introducing RSVP Paris. During our recent stay in Paris, we sat down with RSVP founders, Thomas Cerkevic and Jonathan Andrès, to find out more about the guys’ vision and to take a first-hand look at their beautiful range of premium leather goods. We met the two entrepreneurs in their studio, which is located in a former book-binding workshop in the 11ème arrondissement.

Seeing a new start up venture into the leather goods market is perhaps not an all-together new phenomenon, but these guys really know their trade. After working for some of the world’s leading luxury brands for more than 5 years, Thomas and Jonathan decided to develop leather goods that are of ‘True Quality’ and ‘True Price’.

“We only make leather goods, but we make them right.”

Founded in Paris in 2015, RSVP creates premium quality leather goods - handmade in France from A to Z. Thomas and Jonathan have worked alongside most of their suppliers for years. They have gained their trust, and vice versa. Handmade by expert artisans, their products are all crafted in Franche-Comté and Touraine. Naturally, their products are made from Grade-A leather, which is sourced from high profile French tanneries that either belong to or work with major luxury brands.

Opposed to an industry standard with horrendous markups of up to 12 times from atelier to customer, RSVP is fully transparent on costs and margins and has implemented a markup structure of max 2 times. All costs and margins are displayed on the website.  

“Since we value ham over spam, every item we make is limited to 100 pieces.” Each of RSVP’s products is therefore numbered from 1 to 100 – and once a series is sold out, it’s off the market. Make sure to head over to their website and have a look yourself. 

HAECKELS – Organically Crafted Seaweed Skincare

Introducing Haeckels – organically crafted wild fragrances and seaweed skincare harvested from Margate’s coastline.

Haeckels was founded in 2012 by filmmaker and coastal enthusiast Dom Bridges. Disillusioned by the production ethos of many larger skincare companies, Dom set out with the aim to create simple, handcrafted products that truly embodied his surroundings – Margate’s heritage and natural coastline. Over the years, Haeckels has grown from a passion into a business; taking on members of staff whilst staying true to what the brand was founded upon: to play an active part in the local community, conserve marine life and craft simple yet potent natural products.

By using plants and herbs, which are indigenous to England we make products which help to heal, care and scent the body.

Haeckels has now set up their Margate lab, tucked away in the back of their first ever store. The lab is busy and fully working product development and production lab, where the brand’s perfumes are mixed, bottled and sealed by hand.

Haeckels’ natural products are all handcrafted, locally distilled and formulated using locally growing botanicals that offer the very best anti-oxidant properties. Hand harvested seaweed forms the base ingredient of all products in their skincare range, which is based on the tradition of Thalassotherapy; a treatment that uses ocean water, seaweed, ocean mud and marine minerals to enable the body to replenish, re-mineralise and revitalise.

Two of our favourite products are the Seaweed / Carrot Seed Facial Serum and the Eco Marine Extract Facial Cream. The former is a concentrated hydrating facial serum rich in botanical oils. Boosted with carrot seed, this natural source of vitamins B and C is an excellent lightweight, non-greasy and rapidly absorbing serum to nourish, tone and moisturise your skin. The Eco Marine Extract Facial Cream is a daily moisturiser containing potent doses of a powerful wrinkle active, which strongly stimulates the production of structural skin proteins. Rich in omega 3, this anti-inflammatory and protective antioxidant not only hydrates your skin but improves the appearance of fine lines and skin elasticity. Haeckels not only have a beautiful philosophy, but the brand around Dom Bridges makes simple high quality products that are crafted with full passion.