RECLAIM | The Denim Edit: Handcrafted Denim Bags Made from Rescued Lea

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Behind the Seams | Eco-Luxe Leather Bag Studio Blog

RECLAIM | The Denim Edit: Handcrafted Denim Bags Made from Rescued Leather

Kerry Atterbury | 29th April 2026

Look good. Do good. Waste less.
(Turns out you can have all three!)

There’s something quite satisfying about taking something that was heading for landfill and turning it into something people stop you in the street to ask about.

That’s exactly what this collection is.

RECLAIM | The Denim Edit is a small run of handcrafted handbags made using upcycled denim and rescued leather, created here in the UK in my Shropshire workshop. Every piece is completely one of a kind, and once it’s gone, it’s properly gone.

This collection was created for International Denim Day, a global campaign that takes place during Sexual Violence Awareness Month in April. As part of this, 15% of profits from the collection are being donated to The Survivors Trust, helping support survivors of sexual violence.

So yes, they look good. But they do a bit of good too.

Blue jeans with scraps of brown leather and patterned fabric on a blue background

WHAT MAKES THESE DENIM BAGS DIFFERENT?

Not all “sustainable fashion” is created equal, and I’m not interested in greenwashing.

These bags are made using:

Upcycled denim from pre-loved jeans
Rescued genuine leather that would otherwise go to waste
Small-batch, handmade construction (by me, not a factory)

Each design is shaped by the materials available, which means no two bags will ever be identical.

You’re not buying something that thousands of other people own. You’re buying something that literally cannot be repeated.

Shop now

Upcycled demin and rescued tan coloured leather, patched handbag with shoulder strap wrapped over the top, sat on a white background

Veronica | Denim & Tan Leather Handbag

£160.00 GBP

Interior view of the Belle Bucket Bag, showing the colourful lining and the integrated purse, with a card and cash

DESIGNED FOR REAL LIFE (NOT JUST LOOKING PRETTY)

Let’s be honest. A bag can be beautiful, but if it’s not practical, it ends up shoved in a cupboard.

Every bag in the RECLAIM collection is designed to be used properly:

Integrated purses (so you can ditch the bulky wallet)
Secure zip and flap closures
Thoughtful internal pockets
Sizes that actually fit your essentials

These are bags you can take out, use daily, and not have to baby.

(You can read more about our bags here)

Shop now

Upcycled denim compact crossbody bag with tan brown leather trim and matching woven strap on a white background

Tiny Harriet | Denim & Leather Compact Crossbody Bag

£55.00 GBP

Upcycled denim baguette bowling bag with genuine rescued leather straps and gusset, sat on a table in a coffee shop

ONE OF A KIND MEANS EXACTLY THAT

I don't do massive runs of bags, so you won't be running into anyone else who's carrying the exact same bag, and like all my other bags, this collection isn’t a “limited run of 500”.

This is:

Once each one sells, that exact bag will never exist again.

That’s the beauty of working with reclaimed materials. The limitations are what make it special.

Shop now

Blue denim bucket bag handbag with a tan brown leather flap and strap on a white background

Belle | Denim & Tan Leather Bucket Bag

£145.00 GBP

WHY DENIM DAY?

International Denim Day is about standing with and supporting survivors of sexual violence.

It felt like the right moment to create something that reflects the idea of reclaiming, not just materials, but power, identity, and ownership.

Without overcomplicating it, this collection is my way of contributing in a practical way.

That’s why 15% of profits from RECLAIM are being donated to The Survivors Trust, who support survivors through specialist services across the UK and Ireland.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION THAT ACTUALLY MEANS SOMETHING

The word “Sustainable” gets thrown around a lot.

Here’s what it means here:

Materials saved from landfill
No mass production
No overstock
No identical repeats
Built to last, not fall apart in six months

It’s slow fashion, properly done.

If you’ve ever wanted a bag that feels a bit more personal, a bit more considered, and a bit less like everyone else’s…

This is it.

You can browse the available pieces here:

👉 RECLAIM | The Denim Edit

Just don’t hang about too long. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Until Next Time...

Love & Leather,