1945: The beginnings
After the war, in Bordeaux as elsewhere, there was a shortage of everything... except ideas. Marguerite Massip, gifted with her hands, crafted her very first handbag in 1945 from textile for her daughter Simone.
That bag caught the attention of her classmates’ mothers, and Marguerite soon received orders from all around the neighborhood. One day, a nearby haberdashery offered to sell her bags in-store — and it was an immediate success!
Thus were founded the "Ateliers Marguerite Massip" in 1945, located on Boulevard Georges V in Bordeaux — at the Barrière de Pessac. With demand soaring, Marguerite soon brought in her son Maurice in 1947. He introduced his leather expertise to the workshop, helping the business take a significant step forward.
For 13 years, they developed the registered leather handbag brand Divona, distributed across France and experiencing its golden age.
Marguerite MASSIP
Divona commercial leaflet
1960, Expansion
In 1960, Maurice decided to open his own workshop, "Maurice Massip," at the intersection of Rue des Beaux-Arts and Rue Tauzia in Bordeaux’s train station district.
Maurice and Louison MASSIP
The workshop at the crossroads of Rue des Beaux-Arts and Rue Tauzia
In 1962, the third generation of the Massip family joined the company. Maurice’s eldest son, Jean-Claude, returned from the Algerian War. Although inexperienced, he was trained by a master craftsman in cutting, assembling, and creating bag patterns. He quickly proved highly skilled and became essential to the workshop’s success.
By 1976, the company had about fifteen employees, but the workshop was struggling. Maurice’s youngest son, Alain Massip, decided to join the family business.
With experience as an Administrative and Financial Director and a Commercial Director, Alain brought what the workshop lacked most: his own sales network. He personally managed the distribution of Massip bags to major leather goods stores in Paris and Bordeaux, and also created a network for large company employee committees. But Alain had other talents — with a natural sense of trends and proportions, he designed entire bag collections.
His brother Jean-Claude brought those designs to life with his technical skills… and success returned once again.
1977: A first store
By 1977, the family decided to open its first factory outlet in a former garage adjacent to the workshop.
In 1978, the garage door was replaced with a shop window, but the store remained small. Customers were already lining up on the sidewalk before Christmas to buy their crocodile handbags.
Taking advantage of a newly acquired plot of land, the store on Rue de Tauzia was expanded in 1981.
In addition to made-to-order handbags, Etablissements Massip also produced custom-made leather garments.
Alain and his brother Jean-Claude MASSIP
1991: Les Grands-Hommes
Looking to expand and establish a presence in Bordeaux’s Golden Triangle, the “sons of Maurice” opened a store in the newly built Grands-Hommes shopping arcade in 1991. This marked the creation of the “DE GRIMM” boutique as it still exists today.
The De Grimm boutique at Grands-Hommes — renamed Massip Maroquinerie in 2022
Workshop view – Place des Grands-Hommes
2001–2025: Transmission and renewal
In 2001, Fabienne Massip joined the family business after a first career in the wine industry. She chose to return to her father Alain Massip after her mother’s passing, and immersed herself in every facet of the company. For over ten years, she learned the ins and outs of the trade: purchasing, client relations, production tracking, and sales. She brought new energy by streamlining processes, strengthening customer care, and laying the foundations of a more structured organization.
In 2012, she took over the company and steered it towards a clear move upmarket. French manufacturing became a strategic cornerstone, the brand’s identity strengthened, and the offering evolved into a high-end, sober and durable leather goods collection.
In 2014, Cyril Coutzac joined the management team. With fifteen years of experience in marketing and business development in international groups, he brought valuable expertise in strategic planning, management, and digital tools. He implemented the first efficient IT systems, completely overhauled the website, and built the digital presence and social media strategy. This new structure enabled De Grimm to modernize its channels while staying true to its artisanal roots.
In 2016, Fabienne’s brother Olivier Massip returned to Bordeaux to refocus the company around the workshop. A master leather craftsman trained in 1988 at the Abbé Grégoire school, and a Companion of Duty, he had refined his skills with top maisons (J.M. Weston, Charles Jourdan), founded his own workshop, and trained new generations at Hermès. He returned with his tools, machines, and methods to elevate the brand’s craftsmanship: traditional techniques, meticulous materials, high-quality stitching, and haute couture finishes. He updated iconic models designed by his father and grandfather, preserving their spirit while adding unprecedented mastery.
In 2024, Olivier celebrates 35 years in the trade. His precise, sober, uncompromising craftsmanship remains the foundation of De Grimm’s excellence.
Cyril, Fabienne and Olivier
2021: Recognition of exceptional craftsmanship
In 2021, De Grimm was awarded a Ministry of Culture grant aimed at helping heritage and fashion craft businesses transition to digital. This prestigious recognition confirmed the singularity of De Grimm’s model: 100% Bordeaux-based production, fully in-house know-how, and relentless dedication to quality and transmission.
This official recognition validated the strategic choices made in recent years while enabling the company to invest in digital tools tailored to exceptional craftsmanship — without compromising quality, pace, or the spirit of the work.
2022: A boutique to embody the brand
After several years of deep work on positioning, collections, and internal structure, De Grimm reached a key milestone: the opening of its first dedicated boutique at 4 rue Michel Montaigne, in the heart of Bordeaux’s Golden Triangle. This space, designed like a jewelry box, reflects the brand’s universe: confidential, timeless luxury leather goods, entirely made in Bordeaux. Each model is displayed in a refined and elegant setting that mirrors the values of the house.
De Grimm flagship boutique – 4 rue Michel Montaigne
This opening also clarified the commercial structure: the historic boutique, located since 1991 in the Grands-Hommes gallery, became Massip Maroquinerie and now focuses on distributing partner brands, particularly in professional and travel segments. De Grimm thus became, fully and distinctly, the name of the high-end leather goods brand designed and manufactured in our own workshop.
This division allows each entity to thrive in its own way: exceptional craftsmanship, creation, and quiet luxury for De Grimm; leather goods expertise and curated selection for Massip Maroquinerie.
2023: A clear trajectory
The opening of the flagship boutique marked a turning point for De Grimm. Since then, the house has continued to grow, driven by the clarity of its positioning, the recognition of its know-how, and the increasing loyalty of clients who value French craftsmanship, sustainable service, and timeless elegance. Growth has remained steady and in the double digits — a testament to the soundness of its strategic direction.
In 2023, De Grimm was awarded support from France Relance 2030 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, a public initiative supporting companies involved in the promotion of arts and crafts, sustainable transitions, and regional development. This new milestone reinforced the house’s commitment to quality, patience, and independent, identity-driven growth.
2025: 80 years of living heritage
This year, De Grimm celebrates 80 years. A rare longevity, born from deep roots in Bordeaux, exacting craftsmanship passed down through generations, and a discreet lifestyle true to its values. But this symbolic milestone is not about looking back — it’s a moment to open a new chapter in continuity.
80 years of the workshop (1945–2025)
The workshop is gradually expanding, with the arrival of new skilled leatherworkers — including Flora, who now assists Olivier Massip in crafting the models. This human reinforcement makes it possible to grow sustainably, without compromising the high standards that have made the brand’s reputation. A larger, more suitable location is under consideration to host this development and to share the know-how more broadly without losing its integrity.
To mark this anniversary year, a new crossbody bag is being introduced. True to De Grimm’s design language, made for daily life as well as meaningful moments, it embodies the will to create lasting, elegant, and deeply vibrant pieces.
De Grimm continues to write its story — a story of hands, materials, and transmission. A story rooted in Bordeaux, artisanal, feminine, committed — and always in motion.