That we like change is no secret. In our almost 10 years as an online store for Appenzeller harnesses, dog collars and accessories, we have always tried to question and reinterpret the existing. This not only in the form of always surprising collaborations, but also with regard to the manufacture of our products.
In order to make our contribution to a sustainable circular economy in the spirit of the future, we are currently optimising our production processes. To this end, we asked ourselves where we can have a concrete influence:
1. fair & regional production
By fairness, we not only mean appropriate remuneration for all the people involved, but we also understand appropriate production conditions to mean, for example, leaving the added value on site. Our production is regional, with the heart naturally in Appenzellerland: where all the steps on the way to high-quality leather products with Swiss roots and international bling take place.
Belts and dog collars made of robust cowhide are manufactured by Daniel Fuchs in Appenzell, the belts made of fine deerskin are prepared by Tabea's manufactory in St. Moritz, woollen caps are knitted by hand by Appenzell countrywomen or by machine in Thurgau, depending on the model, and our leather goods such as handbags and purses are handmade in southern Germany.
2. leather with a promising future
We use 100 percent sustainable leather from cow or deer for most of our products. The raw material for the cowhide comes from organically certified farms in southern Germany or from mother cows in Tschiertschen GR and is vegetable tanned in a pit tannery in southern Germany, i.e. without the use of chrome or other chemicals. The same applies to the deerskin, which is produced anyway in the course of regular regulation hunting in Switzerland and thus finds a new, meaningful purpose. In addition, we attach importance to short transport distances to the slaughter (never more than 30km).
You can find more information to "Traceable Leather" here
3. inspiration through collaboration
Beyond our fixed assortment, we repeatedly cultivate surprising collaborations with selected partners. With them, we share an understanding of design and an aesthetic openness as well as an irrepressible joy in bringing together old and new, conservative and extravagant, in order to ultimately create strong stylistic statements for the present - and thanks to them, we get to know new processing methods or materials, which we then also partially adopt.
4. uncompromising quality, free repairs and secondhand.
All our products are made of the highest quality materials - and therefore extremely durable. If an ornament should fall off or the strap becomes too long - we repair and shorten free of charge. Contact us at [email protected]
In addition, with our new secondhand platform, we offer you the opportunity to bring your old belt back into circulation or to buy a belt with patina at auction.
5. one percent for the world
We believe that taking responsibility does not end with our own company. That would be far too boring for us. The times we live in are far too exciting and we like to think outside the box. And there is a lot to do out there. That's why, since the beginning of 2021, every time we buy one of our products, one per cent of the turnover goes to a selected institution, for example an animal welfare organisation or a cultural project worth supporting.
More info here