Our Process
Add Libb Handbags are handcrafted by fiber artist Libby Mitchell. Her studio, in Greenville, SC, is where fabrics are cut and leather hides are trimmed and fashioned, where each stitch is thoughtfully placed in every bag, from one-of-a-kind creations, to Add Libb classics that have endured as crowd favorites year after year.
The strongest inspiration is always the materials themselves. Our designs come from what often feels like a conversation between our unique aesthetic and the fabrics and leathers we employ in our wearable-art creations.
We source high-quality leathers, from bridle sides to decorative Italian lambskin scraps. Most of our leathers are made from US hides, tanned in Mexico, and our smaller detailing leathers come from Italy and Spain.
We reach for uphosltery grade fabrics for their durability and tight weave, but from time to time we fall in love with a thinner fabric and back it with a stabilizing fabric. Our fabrics primarily come from South Carolina sources.
There are many steps along the path that leads to a finished piece. From sketching and resketching a design idea, to selecting complimentary materials, the most crucial stages often occur before we even cut our materials.
If you are ever in Greenville and would like to visit the Add Libb Studio, please let us know. You can shop from our in-stock inventory in person and learn more about our design process. To schedule a tour please reach out to Libby using the contact form on our Customer Care page. Thank you for your curiosty!