Handmade Leather Goods Store. Bags and Accessories Beautifully Made in the UK from Natural Vegetable Tanned Leather.
A Story of British Handcraft: Leather Bags & Accessories Made in the UK
Artisan Made, Nature Inspired
I’m Becky, the Founder, Designer and Leather Artisan at CARV.
The CARV collection of leather handbags and accessories, made in the UK, is inspired by nature and life around the wild coastline of North Devon and Cornwall where myself and my family run an organic smallholding. CARV leather goods are handmade to celebrate and elevate the beauty of traditional handcraft.
I’m committed to creating beautifully made leather goods entirely by hand - without any machines - using centuries-old hand leatherworking techniques, focusing on the quality and perfection of every cut and hand stitch. This low-energy, slower approach means all CARV handmade leather goods are made to last and uniquely beautiful, without costing the earth.
The CARV style is intentionally minimal, using clean design to re-imagine British leatherworking heritage. I design with a simplicity that reveals the natural beauty of pure vegetable tanned leather through clean, structured shapes and fine detailing.
After training and working for many years in design practices in the city I felt the need for a creative outlet in the quest for life fulfilment. I spent several years practising and honing her hand leather craft techniques, and then came the idea for CARV handmade leather bags & accessories.
CARV is a response to my concerns about the environmental crisis facing our beautiful earth and the impact of a huge rise in fast, throw-away fashion since the 1980s.
As a UK sustainable fashion brand, I’m dedicated to adopting a slower, more considered approach to production. All CARV leather handbags and accessories are completely hand crafted in the CARV studio here in the UK using low-energy hand craftsmanship. My timeless designs span the seasons and I hand select only the finest natural and pure vegetable tanned leather made without chemicals or plastics. Vegetable tanning takes the naturally occurring tannins in organic materials such as tree bark and slowly transforms the hide.
It’s about using my voice and skills to encourage a shift towards slower making processes and more mindful buying decisions - ‘buying less, choosing well’ - and providing an opportunity to invest in the best quality hand crafted leather goods that will last a lifetime.
