The Making of a Delvaux Bag:
A Legacy of Artisanal Craftsmanship
Delvaux, Inventor of the Handbag
If Delvaux is renowned and celebrated for the quality of its creations, it is in large part thanks to the meticulous, skilled craftsmanship that is at the heart of the company’s legacy and strategy. Founded in 1829 and official purveyor to Belgium’s royal family since 1883, Delvaux was the first leather maker to file patents for handbags, as early as 1908.
More than 3,000 handbag designs are recorded in Le Livre d’Or, including timeless and iconic pieces which are constantly reinvented, such as the Brillant (1958), the Mutin (1962), the Tempête (1967), the Pin (1972) or the Madame (1977).
Exceptional Savoir-faire
At Delvaux, the making of all its products is entrusted to artisans possessing a rare level of expertise. With passion and precision, these skilled craftsmen are dedicated to la Maison’s heritage which is continually reaffirmed with the creation of the finest contemporary classics—genuine works of art.
Specialized in handling fine leathers, la Maison’s artisans work with hides from the best French and Italian tanneries. These selected hides are reworked and assembled in Delvaux’s European ateliers. Selected according to the strictest criteria, only the highest quality skins are chosen as the foundation for crafting unique and precious designs.
A Unique Site
Entering the Arsenal in Brussels—the historic building that houses Delvaux—one has a sense of being immersed in a singular world. The headquarters are entirely configured around the ateliers which are given pride of place and around which all other departments are organized. A mezzanine surrounds and overlooks the ateliers. The offices themselves are situated along the mezzanine, affording a sweeping view of the heart of the company.
Delvaux’s legacy of artisanal savoir-faire permeates the ateliers, with craftsmen who have mastered highly honed skills transmitted from generation to generation. These traditional techniques are essential for crafting exceptional pieces with the exquisite details and finishing touches for which Delvaux is renowned.
The scent of leather and the sounds of instruments and tools (some of which are personally customized by the artisans) make the Delvaux ateliers a timeless place.
The close proximity of offices and production is rare in the luxury goods universe. For Delvaux, this special configuration is the perfect illustration and symbol of la Maison’s commitment to artisanal craftsmanship as the sine qua non for the highest level of perfection.