reflections on Earth Day

Sustainability and slow fashion principles factor into my design process in a variety of ways.  In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to share a bit about my process and the principles that guide HANNAH EMILE.

My primary mission with Hannah Emile is to create high quality leather goods that are both fashionable and functional enough to withstand the test of time. I want to encourage a more considered rate of consumption by offering a core collection of signature styles that can be thoughtfully incorporated in a conscientious wardrobe.

A personal discomfort with the rapid seasonal turnover and waste of the mainstream women’s apparel market was a major factor behind my choosing to focus on leather accessories. I have experience in the apparel industry, but ultimately prefer designing leather bags, because they have a longer lifespan than the average fashion garment.

I work exclusively with food industry byproduct hides, locally sourced in northern California. All products are made in-house in San Francisco, following a made-to-order model to minimize inventory waste.  By hand cutting every pattern piece, each bag incorporates the beautiful natural variations of the hides, while minimizing wasted yardage.  

I avoid using metal hardware or extensive embellishments whenever possible, with a focus on the silhouette and materiality of the leather itself.  Leather is a biodegradable material; however, leather bags will last for decades with proper care.  HANNAH EMILE encourages you to use and love your bag in this spirit. 

Sustainability also demands ethical manufacturing practices, including paying a living wage and offering a safe, inclusive work environment.  HANNAH EMILE is committed to maintaining in-house, domestic manufacturing, while prioritizing ethical, holistic employment at every stage of growth.  

While it often feels overwhelming to measure our individual impact against the vast demands of climate change, we cannot forget that every choice towards a more sustainable life is still worthwhile.  By putting our energy and money into businesses we believe in- businesses that support local industries, conscientious production and positive employment opportunities- we are setting the terms for what will be deemed acceptable and sustainable in the future.  

I am proud to be part of a community that values a slower but more thoughtful and sustainable approach to design.  I hope you will join me in this movement to enact a more hopeful vision for the future and for our planet.

xx

Hannah