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.

VOLUME - Artisan Donkey Milk Soaps

Situated on the heights of Ampuis, amidst the quiet hills of the regional park of Pilat and the wine heritage Côte Rôtie, Volume France produces artisan soaps from donkey milk. The soaps are handmade and produced in limited numbers, with batches often being of no more than twenty soaps. Based on the idea of natural cohabitation and committed to combining quality raw materials and local expertise, Volume France was founded by Laetitia Crevier.

VOLUME is simply the pleasure to use soaps made from the milk produces by the donkeys that I raise at Ampuis.

The team. Laetitia and her donkeys – an unexpected biodiversity and cohabitation between Bourbonnais and Sardinian donkeys – raised and milked by hand at Asinerie des Hauteurs. But what is it that makes donkey milk so precious? Enhanced by its biochemical composition, donkey milk is first and foremost used in the medical, nutritional and dermatological areas. And it’s composition of essential, anti-inflammatory acids (Omega 6,3), antiseptic enzymes (Lysozyme) as well as antioxidant vitamins and minerals (Retinol) make it indispensable for the human health.

The soaps are made using cold saponification, an environmentally friendly craft process that not only allows Laetitia to formulate an individual and harmonious blend, but also to preserve the quality of the ingredients. Once removed from the molds – one by one – the fifteen to twenty soaps per batch are stamped and numbered.

The story of Volume France is one of passion, dedication and meticulous attention to craft and honest produce.

FEIT DIRECT - Hand-Stitched Sneakers

These super minimal sneakers are hand-stitched from the finest Semi Cordovan leather and built using the highest quality natural materials. They are perfect to be worn barefoot all summer long. Historically, cordovan has been used only for luxury dress shoes. The leather is tanned using an extensive process. The hides are tanned slowly, nourished with natural oils and shaved. A century ago, when horses were still a driving force of transportation, hides were plentiful. Now they are extremely scarce and difficult to come by.

Your feet will breathe and stay cool, and the shoes will mold perfectly to your feet without retaining sweat or odor. Get a pair of these limited edition sneakers, available for men and women, online or in their NY Flagship Store.

Available in a limited edition of 60 pairs for Spring 2015 at www.feitdirect.com as well as the FEIT for New York flagship.

AUSTIN LIGHTING - Hand-made Lighting

Austin Daikon, designer and founder of Daikon Lighting blends elements found in ancient sacred spaces - like temples and stupas - with the visual and material strength of industrial steel. Each style offers a unique feature, from providing just a little shine and energy to lighting up an entire room. His products are unique by design and craft. Each piece is handmade by using high quality American structural carbon steel comprised of 32% recycled material. Originally starting as a 24 foot long square tube, each is cut to length, cleaned, TIG welded, machined, wired, and finished with a clear polyurethane protectant. Get your own unique Daikon lamp by clicking the link below. 

FEIT DIRECT - The Moccasin

FEIT’s Hand Sewn Slipper applies a modern design to a classic summer shoe – the moccasin.

Rather than hand stitching at the front, the moccasin is hand sewn at the back. Designed to be worn without socks, these shoes are uniquely constructed from one solid piece of suede.

'The Italian vegetable suede is tanned using only natural tannins and organic materials instead of chemical dyes and unnatural pigments. This ensures that the leather retains it’s ability to breathe and stay cool in the warm summer weather.'

FEIT - BI COLORED HAND SEWN SNEAKER

FEIT’s classic collection of Hand Sewn High and Low have been given a clean and minimal update for Fall. FEIT’s new bi–color series features a two tone, color blocked silhouette.

The Hand Sewn High and Low are luxury handmade versions of the classic court sneaker. Features advanced Goodyear construction, all-natural materials and is unlined with raw edges. Recommended to be worn barefoot.

[ feitdirect.com ]