Sustainability and Transparency: Crafting with Care and Purpose

At Five Forty, sustainability is woven into every step we take. From sourcing materials responsibly in Italy to ensuring each handbag reaches you with minimal environmental impact, we prioritize conscious choices in every phase.

Our commitment begins with the materials: we select locally sourced Italian materials wherever possible, choosing EU alternatives only when needed to maintain quality with a reduced footprint. This approach keeps our products refined, while supporting skilled, traditional artisans.

We partner closely with family-owned Italian workshops that have preserved leather craftsmanship for generations. By working hand-in-hand—from material sourcing to quality checks—we ensure fair wages and genuine respect for their artistry. Our relationship is built on collaboration, transparency, and shared pride in every product.

Sustainability also means minimizing waste. We repurpose unused materials into new items, like our cotton velvet headbands and Gaia Mini Bag keychains, giving every scrap new life and purpose.

Transparency is at the heart of our ethos. We regularly visit our partner workshops to witness and share the care, passion, and precision that go into each piece, so you can connect with the true craftsmanship behind every Five Forty bag.

PALOMA Tote Bag

GAIA Mini Bag

STEP BY STEP

Crafting Elegance: Our Five-Phase Journey of

Design & Production

1.     Crafting Our Vision: From Inspiration to Sketch

Inspired by the clean lines of modern architecture and the warmth of interior design, our aesthetic is decidedly minimalistic and feminine. We draw upon specific elements like the crisp angles of contemporary buildings or the serene palettes of modern decor. The heart of Italy also plays a vital role in our creative process. Here, Italian fashion is not just a style but a narrative of character and skilled craftsmanship. We delve into this rich heritage, often sketching under the soft Tuscan sun or amidst the bustling streets of Milan, translating these experiences into mood boards that capture the essence of femininity in our designs.

2.     Material Sourcing

In collaboration with our dedicated team in Italy, we embark on a quest for the perfect materials. This involves an intricate dance of comparing textures, weights, and hues to find fabrics that not only embody our vision but also meet our high standards of quality and sustainability. It's a process where traditional leather might meet innovative recycled materials, reflecting our commitment to both heritage and modernity.

3.     Prototyping

In this stage, our concepts really start to take shape. Our team dives into the details of each new design with great enthusiasm. The prototype phase is buzzing with energy as our skilled Italian artisans carefully transform our sketches into tangible forms. Typically, we create 2 to 3 prototypes, refining and tweaking each one. With every iteration, we get closer to the ideal embodiment of our vision, ensuring that the final product is realized to perfection.

4.     Production

Our products are brought to life in a handful of select factories known for their deep-rooted tradition in craftsmanship and family heritage. In these workshops, experienced artisans carefully craft each item, paying close attention to every stitch and fold. We appreciate the unique stories and techniques each craftsman adds, ensuring that every handbag is a harmonious blend of time-honored skill and modern design

5.     Pick-up and quality control

Adhering to our core value of quality, we personally inspect each bag in Italy. This hands-on approach allows us to maintain an intimate connection with our team and ensures that each piece meets our stringent standards. Upon arrival in Austria, the bags are carefully stored in custom dust bags, each awaiting its journey to become a cherished part of your personal collection. They're not just handbags; they're keepsakes, imbued with the spirit of Italy and crafted with love, ready to accompany you on your life's adventures.