Unique, Personal, Sustainable
in my BrusselS leather atelier
I create handmade leather bags and custom leather goods that tell stories—your stories.
From sentimental heirlooms to carefully selected surplus hides, every object is a one-of-a-kind creation. Whether you bring me your father’s riding saddle, a vintage leather jacket, or even leather from an old armchair, I turn it into a timeless piece designed to last a lifetime.
Looking for a custom leather handbag or accessory made from your own materials? You’ve come to the right place.
From my leather atelier in Brussels, I create handmade leather bags, bespoke leather goods and unique leather accessories. As a recognised craftswoman, I work with reclaimed leather, vintage jackets and carefully selected hides to transform materials into meaningful objects. Each piece is designed and crafted by hand in my studio in Schaerbeek, where traditional leather craftsmanship meets contemporary design.
An Vandenberk is a leather artisan based in Brussels, creating bespoke leather goods and handcrafted leather pieces in her atelier.
A project
that begins with you
No templates. No production lines. Every bespoke project starts with a conversation—online or in person. I want to hear what moves you: a shape you’ve dreamed of, an object with meaning, a particular tone of leather you’re drawn to.
We can work with repurposed leather you already own or dive into my archive of sustainably sourced surplus leathers. If nothing feels quite right, I’ll happily accompany you to select your ideal material and finish—whether that’s matte black, deep cognac, or soft green suede.
The hardware? That’s up to you too. Think gold-plated buckles, minimalist closures, or subtle vintage finds. Together, we’ll build something truly personal—down to the stitching.
Each piece is imagined, designed and crafted in the Brussels leather atelier.
What my clients say
“This jacket meant everything to me. Now I carry it again – as a bag, close to my heart. It’s more than leather. It’s memory, love, comfort.”
— Dominique, Rixensart
“I fell for the leather of the vintage jacket before I even knew what it would become. Together, we shaped it – a MILA handbag that’s elegant, practical, and completely me.”
— Ilse, Kapellen
“Two old bags, full of memories. I couldn’t part with them. An turned them into one powerful piece – personal, meaningful, and made to last.”
— Els, Puurs
More
than handbags
Yes, I make handmade leather bags, but that’s just the beginning.
My work also includes a wide range of handcrafted leather goods and accessories.
I also craft:
- cardholders, belts, jewellery cases, keyrings
- accessories for weddings, ceremonies or gifts
- or even your wildest idea—like a handbag made from a leather guitar strap or a bag inspired by your old riding saddle
From traditional handbag shapes to sculptural objects, custom-made leather accessories are all part of what I do.
Each item is either machine stitched and hand-finished, or fully hand-stitched using the classic saddle-stitch method. It depends on your preference, budget, and the story we’re telling.
The atelier also offers advice on leather care, maintenance and the transformation of existing leather pieces. Discover more about leather repair, care and restoration in the Brussels atelier.
Leather artisan
A Leather Artisan Atelier in Brussels
An Vandenberk is a recognised leather artisan based in Schaarbeek, Brussels. In her atelier, every piece is imagined, designed and crafted by hand. This small leather studio is not not a factory or production line. It is a place of experimentation, repair, transformation and creation. A place where materials are given a new life and where each object carries a story.
Clients visit the atelier to develop bespoke leather creations. While many projects take the form of handbags, the work often extends to leather accessories, small leather goods and unique custom pieces created from personal materials such as vintage jackets or treasured leather items.
Discover more about the philosophy behind the atelier and the approach to sustainable craftsmanship.
Why
handmade?
In a world flooded with fast fashion and synthetic imitations, handcrafted leather bags, accessories and objects offer something different:
- Authenticity
- Quality
- Timelessness
- And above all: emotional value
I don’t mass-produce. I don’t cut corners. Every piece is slow-made—with care, by hand, in Brussels.
Curious about what a truly bespoke leather piece means? Discover the philosophy behind bespoke leather creations crafted in the atelier.
Ready to talk?
Looking to turn an old jacket into a custom bag or object? Or just curious if your idea is even possible?
You’re warmly invited for a free, no-obligation meeting—either at my Brussels atelier or online.
Let’s explore your ideas and see what kind of story we can tell together.
