THE CHALLENGE

Madewell is a community-driven clothing destination for men and women that champions creativity, inclusivity, and self-expression. Madewell offers all the tenets of a great wardrobe, from easy tees and timeless outerwear to classic footwear and last-forever bags.

Madewell’s design and product development teams approached Temescal to evaluate their dead-stock sample leathers and collaborate to create a gorgeous one-of-a-kind limited edition collection of hand-numbered unique leather tote bags. 

Ideation and creative collaboration took place between Temescal & Madewell in order to design, develop and manufacture these one-of-a-kind upcycled leather bags. Each development step was overseen by Temescal’s Principal Martine Ilana and founded in the company’s ‘Do Well’ sustainable business practices. Over the course of 24 months, each detail of this upcycled tote collection’s development was strategically and carefully considered as nothing had been developed like this for the brand before at scale. Every bag had to meet the company’s quality and creative details within the brand’s larger assortment of highly sought-after handbags and accessories.

Temescal managed each step from concept to this upcycled bag’s completion including the logistics and shipment to the J-crew owned Distribution Centers. The sourcing of the best possible US Based factory to produce this bag was also within this project’s scope and Temescal was the direct bridge between the bag’s design and tech-packs into its sample and bulk alongside the well-known, Los Angeles Based SoCal Factory, a highly reputable and sought after leather factory located in Los Angeles to produce the collection.

Within 1 hour the entire collection was sold out – proving the viability and interest by the Madewell customers for sustainable products from this beloved brand.

The production of new materials accounts for 38% of the fashion industry’s greenhouse gas emissions. With this Upcycled Leather Collection Madewell is minimizing its use of virgin raw materials and crafting from what already exists. Madewell’s gorgeous upcycled bag collection proves the viability of upcycled design and circular craft and the positive impact of sustainable design on our futures.