Our CSR Commitment

Since 1945, all our handbags have been made in our own workshop, in the heart of Bordeaux. This choice of fully local production, maintained over four generations, ensures total control over each stage of manufacturing, flawless traceability, and consistent artisanal excellence.

Our raw materials are sourced exclusively within Europe, within a 1,200 km radius around Bordeaux, combining quality, proximity, and reduced carbon footprint. A dedicated map transparently shows the share of each country in our procurement (France, Italy, Spain, Germany).

On the subject of leather, it is also important to remember that it is, by nature, an upcycled material. It comes from slaughterhouse by-products intended for the food industry, thus extending the life cycle of existing resources. Leather’s strength, durability, and natural properties have been proven throughout history. By contrast, so-called “vegan” alternatives generally lack the same longevity and robustness, and are often made of or mixed with plastics of distant origin, with environmental impacts that are highly questionable.

We select our suppliers primarily for the quality and durability of their materials, and their ability to support small-scale production without imposing unrealistic minimum quantities. Traceability or environmental labels are not always our main criterion, but we prioritize long-term, stable relationships with workshops and tanneries we know personally.

Our limited production volumes allow us to generate very little waste. Usable leather offcuts are repurposed to create small pieces or prototypes. Non-usable parts—such as cutting "skeletons" or flesh side split leather—are discarded at the end of the cycle. When possible, good quality leathers that we do not use are sold by weight at a low price to apprentices, decorative artisans, or schools to encourage creativity and knowledge transmission.

We do not offer repairs for products from other brands, in order to preserve the balance of our artisanal organization. Our craftsmen work to standards of excellence, in a French workshop environment, and cannot meet repair requests disconnected from our production processes.

We have never charged for after-sales service on De Grimm bags manufactured since 2017, the year Olivier's expertise was brought into our workshop. This approach is based on the quality of our craftsmanship, aimed at preventing any defects, and on a trustful relationship with each client. Although we have never defined a formal warranty, we assess each situation on a case-by-case basis: it is important to distinguish between the rare manufacturing defects and the normal wear and tear of the product.

The company's governance is family-based, stable, and highly committed, with strong female leadership. For over 20 years, Fabienne Massip has been leading De Grimm, with recognized involvement in promoting craftsmanship and women entrepreneurship.

Today, she is President of the Women Business Leaders Association (FCE) Gironde, a member of the board of the CPME Gironde, and an elected member of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts. Through these commitments, she actively promotes crafts, local businesses, and female entrepreneurship.

Olivier, our master craftsman, has more than 35 years of experience in luxury leather goods, including 9 years at De Grimm. This expertise, passed down daily in the workshop, forms the foundation of our excellence.

Since 2016, De Grimm has been progressively building a stable and skilled production team, aligned with the requirements of French artisanal luxury. Recruiting in this highly specialized sector is a challenge, and each integration demands time, transmission, and a strong alignment with the house’s values.

In 2022, we had the opportunity to recruit Flora, now Olivier’s second-in-command, on a permanent contract. Talented, motivated, and fully committed, she embodies a new generation of passionate craftswomen. In 2024, a new craftswoman, Manon, joined the workshop : experienced, méticulous, and formated by prestigious labels. Our goal is clear: to build a solid, long-lasting team capable of supporting our growth without compromising on quality.

At De Grimm, every leatherworker receives ongoing in-house training and works in a versatile way: cutting, assembling, stitching, finishing... all stages are mastered in our workshop. Contrary to the assembly-line methods used by some brands, we offer a comprehensive and stimulating approach, without stopwatch pressure but with a thoughtful standardization of gestures, where quality always comes before speed.

De Grimm is a Bordeaux-based house founded in 1945 by Marguerite Massip, a visionary female entrepreneur in a then male-dominated industry. Over four generations, the brand has remained family-owned, independent, and deeply attached to its original territory.

In 2011, Fabienne Massip, the great-granddaughter of the founder, took over the company and continued its development with respect for the craftsmanship transmitted. In 2022, she decided to share the company’s capital with her brother Olivier, master craftsman, and her husband Cyril, in a spirit of family continuity, with the agreement of the previous generation’s heirs.

This dual patrimonial and human transmission ensures rare stability and a shared long-term vision of excellence. Based in Bordeaux since its creation, De Grimm maintains not only its workshop but also all its strategic functions there.

Faithful to our local roots and our standards of quality, we do not rule out an increase in production capacity if it ensures the sustainability of our model while maintaining full control of our craftsmanship in Bordeaux.

Based in Bordeaux since 1945, De Grimm contributes to the vitality of exceptional craftsmanship and the influence of French luxury, in a discreet and authentic approach. Our bags are designed, made, and sold in our dedicated boutique, located just 100 meters from our workshop, in the heart of the Grands Hommes district.

Our priority remains the creation and production of durable pieces in a human-scale workshop. Although we receive several internship, apprenticeship, or career-change requests weekly, our current structure does not yet allow us to accommodate them. However, transmission is an integral part of our history, and each new recruit undergoes a complete training program within the workshop to guarantee the mastery of gestures and the house’s level of excellence.

In the coming years, we are working on opening a larger production space that will allow us to host a workshop-boutique open to the public and develop a discreet workshop tourism experience, closely linked to our leather craftsmanship expertise.

De Grimm benefits from regular and decisive support from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, which actively promotes the development of leather trades. The Region has contributed to several of our investments: the purchase of machines, recruitment aids, and integration into the Bpifrance "Accélérés" program, designed for high-potential companies. This regional support reflects a shared desire to preserve and enhance exceptional skills while fostering local employment.

Additionally, De Grimm was a laureate of the "France Relance 2030" call for projects, supporting the fashion & luxury sector. This recognition has helped us consolidate our growth and accelerate the structuring of our company.

We were also among the 26 companies selected by the Ministry of Culture in 2021 under the Digital and Sustainable Development Support Program for Fashion Crafts. This distinction confirms our unique positioning: blending traditional craftsmanship, reasoned innovation, and responsible engagement.

Our local commitment has also been recognized by the City of Bordeaux, which awarded us the 2024 "Eco-Challenges – Silver Level" label. This distinction rewards artisanal businesses implementing concrete actions for the environment and fits perfectly into our daily commitments, both in our workshop and our community.

At De Grimm, many environmental, social, and local commitments have always been an integral part of our operations—without ever being put forward. Out of modesty, due to workshop priorities, but also because they simply seemed natural to us.

Today, as corporate responsibility becomes a major criterion for support, funding, and recognition, it seems essential to formalize our approach, with sincerity and transparency.

This document marks a first step. It only commits us, but it reflects the reality of our practices—without concession, without greenwashing.

We have not yet opted for a formal CSR label, certification, or charter, considering that at our scale, the priority is to continue doing things right before saying too much. But this reflection is ongoing, and this living approach will be updated over time as we evolve and grow.

Our commitments may be shared through our website, boutique, press materials, or newsletters, to strengthen trust with our clients and engage with all who share our high standards.