A bespoke belt bag and crossbody—made for hands-free days, with a story worth carrying.
Gitte Next follows the silhouette of the original Gitte: compact, secure, and effortlessly wearable. This second piece was commissioned by the same client—this time as a gift for her daughter, who fell in love with her mother’s purple version.
To make it truly personal, the client brought an old favourite of her own: a bag from People of the Labyrinth, ready for a second life. I reworked elements of it into the new design, so a beloved object could return—refined, practical, and made to last.
Handcrafted in my Brussels atelier. Price on request.
Quick highlights
- Belt bag & crossbody in one
- Card zip pocket on the front + small zipped pocket inside
- Veg-tan leather with upcycled heritage details
At a glance
- Category: Bespoke
- Dimensions: 26 × 14 × 7 cm
- Carry options: Belt bag (waist) or crossbody
- Strap: 4 cm wide, adjustable, closes with two press studs
- Closure: Premium gold metal zip with double puller
- Exterior materials: Light green vegetable-tanned cow leather + upcycled details from the client’s People of the Labyrinth bag
- Lining: Light mint green pig suede + glitter green cow leather (two-tone interior)
- Pockets: Integrated front zip pocket for cards; interior zipped pocket with glossy trim
- Hardware: Gold
- Made in: Handcrafted in Brussels
- Price: Price on request
What fits inside: phone, small wallet, keys, cards, and a few small essentials.
The story behind Gitte Next
Gitte Next was created for a mother-to-daughter moment: the same model shape, reimagined as a gift. The client wanted her daughter to have the ease of a hands-free bag—something small, stylish, and practical enough for daily life.
The most meaningful part of this project is what it carries inside the design: details from the client’s own People of the Labyrinth bag—an item she adored earlier in life, now ready to be worn again in a new form. That is the essence of bespoke for me: not only making something new, but giving value and memory a future.
Design & craftsmanship
The shape is a double trapezium—compact yet structured, designed to sit neatly whether worn at the waist or crossbody. The bag closes with a high-quality gold zip featuring a double puller, so it opens smoothly from either side.
Function is built in with clean discretion:
- a small front zip pocket for cards
- an interior zipped pocket with a glossy trim for valuables
The strap is deliberately 4 cm wide for comfort and stability. It is adjustable and closes with two press studs, keeping the design sleek and fuss-free.
Materials & sustainability
The main leather is light green vegetable-tanned cow leather, chosen for its structure and the way it develops character over time. To avoid waste—and to honour meaning—I integrated upcycled details from the client’s own bag, allowing a cherished piece to remain in circulation rather than disappear.
Inside, the bag is finished in a two-tone palette: light mint pig suede paired with glitter green cow leather, plus a zipped pocket with glossy trim—practical, protective, and unexpectedly luminous.
Read more about my approach: https://www.anvandenberk.be/en/sustainability/
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The adjustable 4 cm strap allows you to wear it at the waist or across the body, depending on your outfit and comfort.
That’s exactly why it features thIt is compact but efficient: it comfortably fits a phone, a small wallet, keys, cards, and a few small essentials.
Yes. Beyond the main zipped compartment, it includes an interior zipped pocket to keep small items safely stored.
The double zip ensures easy access, while the front card zip pocket and interior zip pocket keep things organised.
Often, yes. If the material and construction allow it, I can repurpose meaningful details and integrate them into a new design—exactly as in this project.
Absolutely. Leather colour, lining, hardware finish, strap details, and pocket layout can all be tailored.
