At the heart of Longchamp’s revered creations, heritage, innovation and craft underpins the House’s commitment to the art of savoir-faire.
Regarded for its iconic Le Pliage and Le Roseau handbags, Longchamp’s started its journey as a leather goods company in 1948 when its founder, Jean Cassegrain, steered the family-owned business towards a unique product offering that boosted the House’s reputation both locally and internationally. The said product: luxury leather-covered pipes that featured exotic leathers. It wasn’t long before the House started to offer small leather goods such as passport covers and gradually expanded their collection to include women’s handbags in 1971 which proved successful. The success of the Longchamp Leather Goods line was a turning point in the history of the brand which laid the foundations for the behemoth it has evolved into today.
But at the heart of its success lies an intricate web of machinery that upholds innovation, precision and creativity to the highest degree. These attributes combined with the founder’s keen foresight—he invested in his very own workshop in Segré, enlisting the expertise of talented craftsmen—ensure products that stand the test of time. Take for instance the Le Pliage bag that first made headlines in the nineties thanks to its contemporary and utilitarian design. Lightweight, durable and effortlessly stylish, the iconic line is a testament to the Maison’s dedication to the art of savoir-faire.
Over the years, more than 75 to be exact, the House has fine-tuned and preserved its craft, creating desirable well-made pieces that reflect a required level of mastery at every stage of the creation process. Qualified artisans pay attention to every single detail that goes into the rigorous and time-consuming process of creating a handbag. This level of precision has earned the House a notable label awarded only to businesses with the highest standards of artisanal and industrial savoir-faire. Since 2007, the House has been recognised by the French state as an “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company).
To date, the House has expanded its production sites in France with five workshops located in Château Gontier, Ernée, Pouzauges, Rémalard and Segré, all of which embody the exacting standards of Made by Longchamp. With a focus on tradition and craftsmanship, every step is orchestrated with passion and years of experience. From the cutting of the leather to the assembly and final touches of the finished bag, seasoned artisans ensure each bag is made with enduring quality. And with years of experience under their belts, artisans at the workshops are equipped with the instinct and knowledge to drive the metamorphosis of each handmade product.
At the House’s first ever workshop based in Segré at the Maine-et-Loire region lies the creative and technical essence of Longchamp. Here, at the original production facility, the planning department develops and fine-tunes each model to suit the needs and desires of the modern woman. “To create the new Le Roseau bag for the Summer 2025 collection, it took 24 different prototypes and months of fine- tuning. It’s not enough to get the right shape, you also need to study how it’s going to be assembled. I’ve been working at Longchamp for 28 years, and I keep all my sketches, which I consult regularly to improve each model,” says Christelle, a pattern designer at Longchamp.
Each decision is made in close collaboration with creative direction from Paris to produce new icons and with each progress, Made by Longchamp ensures that the savoir-faire and production techniques initiated in Segré are faithfully replicated at other production sites in France and abroad. This unique imprint of Longchamp is evident in each design, carefully moulded by decades of expertise and innovation. And together with the right materials, artisans work towards creating products that stand the test of time.
In keeping with the founder’s vision, only the best materials are acquired to create the finest of products. Materials undergo a rigorous selection and are handled with the utmost care and respect to minimise environmental and social impact. In fact, all tanneries that work closely with the House are audited by the Leather Working Group, an independent body that is committed to creating meaningful change across the globe with responsible leather production. In 2023, 79% of leathers at Longchamp obtained the “Gold” certification and the House aims to achieve 100% in the near future.
This bold ambition is further supplemented with the House’s steadfast commitment to extending the life of each bag and with it the memories that colour each bag’s identity. Sylvie, who has worked in the repair service for 26 years agrees. “When you give a bag a new lease of life, you’re also reviving its story. Clients often have a strong sentimental attachment to their accessories, especially bags. It’s incredibly rewarding to repair a bag that has lasted through decades, and sometimes even been passed down from one generation to the next.” At Longchamp’s repair workshop, nearly 60,000 products are restored every year to its original splendour—a feat made possible with the House’s intricate network of workshops, abundance of materials and experienced artisans.
“Our expertise lies in our mastery of every stage of production and our in-depth understanding of our value chain. Thanks to the dynamism of our employees and the durability of our links with our partners, we can offer impeccable quality and products that are in harmony with our identity.“ – Adrien Cassegrain, Transformation and CSR Director at Longchamp
Unknown to most, Longchamp’s dedication to craftsmanship and environmental responsibility extends beyond the realm of creating and preserving handbags. At the House’s workshops, trees are planted to reduce the carbon footprint and innovative architectural solutions are employed to reduce carbon emissions, reinforcing the House’s dedication towards responsible production. Since the beginning, Longchamp’s visionary approach towards creativity and craftsmanship has paved the way for the Maison’s singular identity as a reputable Fashion House. Made by Longchamp encapsulates this ethos in its entirety, combining outstanding savoir-faire with responsible production to create timeless pieces that will be cherished for years to come.
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This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR Malaysia Jan/Feb 2025 issue.
Discover more from Longchamp HERE.
