Last Updated on February 26, 2026 by Eve Dawes
Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman: How these unique bags excel in quality, design wearability
Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman has quickly become one of my favorite under-the-radar, mid-range, handmade bag brands. This Barcelona brand is known for their unique bag designs like their Croissant Bag, quiet luxury vibes, practicality, and workshop that you can actually visit that looks like a gallery. In this Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman review, I’m sharing an in-depth look at the quality, craftsmanship, leather, designs, sizes, wearability, and whether Manuel Dreesman bags are truly worth it.
Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman review: quality
Let’s start with their locally sourced leather and how they dye it. Atelier Madre’s vegetable-tanned leather is sourced straight from two tanneries in Igualada, a historic leather-producing town. If you’ve read or watched my other handbag reviews you know how much I lean towards, full-grain quality cowhide vs lambskin, as it’s so much for durable and bags keep their structure better and for longer with it.
Full-Grain Leather: The outermost layer of the hide, retaining its natural texture and markings such as pores, veins, and small imperfections. This is the strongest and most exclusive leather, known for its durability and ability to develop a patina. Atelier Madre
The other factor that allows them to create high-quality handmade bags is that they use vegetable-tanned, not chrome tanned leather.
Vegetable-tanned leather vs chrome tanned leather
The tanning method used is a crucial factor in determining leather quality. Around 95% of leathers are chrome-tanned as it’s a fast process that uses chromium salts for efficiency. However, these salts are harmful to the environment, human health, need heavy dyeing and surface treatments to achieve its final look. They also tend to not feel or smell as good and are more prone to wear.
Whereas vegetable-tanned leather is a more traditional, eco-friendly method, that takes a lot longer and uses natural tannins from plants. This creates a more durable leather, with a higher quality texture, better smell that ages well over time.
What makes Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman bags so unique and special
There are a few reasons this Barcelona bag brand stands out to me: designs, that they’re handmade, and quality.
- They use only vegetable-tanned, first-selection leather to ensure the highest standard.
- They use cowhide, which is a byproduct of the meat industry.
- Tannery expertise: choosing only the best tanneries in just outside of Barcelona that adhere to EU regulations to ensure high production standards.
- You can visit their workshop in Barcelona to watch them being made and make purchases.
- Online customers can request to see the limited edition shades to have their bags handmade in these instead of the colors shown on their site.
This combination of factors makes for durable, beautifully handcrafted, sustainable quality bags that are different to anything I’ve found in the US or UK.
Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman review: Croissant Bag
The Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman Croissant bag was my first Atelier Madre bag. I got it as I love how structured and unique a bag it is. I’d also been looking for a navy leather shoulder bag for a while. It’s made of five panels in full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather, solid brass rivets, exposed structure, magnetic clasp, no lining, no fuss. If you’re looking for a minimalist bag, a unique statement bag, or a quiet luxury bag under $1,000 definitely check out this style.
The Croissant bag comes in 2 sizes which are the same width and have the same strap length but the new ‘Big’ Croissant bag is 3cm taller and 8cm longer.
Croissant Bag Magnetic Closure dimensions (this is the one I have):
• Height x Length x Width: 16 × 36 x 10 cm
• Weight: 300g
• Strap: 25 cm (drop length)
Croissant Bag Big Magnetic Closure dimensions:
• Height x Length x Width: 19 × 44 x 10 cm
• Weight: 500g
• Strap: 25 cm (drop length)
Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman review: Panino Bag
The Panino bag is the latest addition to my bag collection. Similar to the Croissant bag in construction, handmade in their Barcelona atelier, and folded silhouette but with a less curved shape and an adjustable strap that lets you switch between shoulder and crossbody bag.
- Height x Length x Width: 14 × 28 x 8 cm
- Weight: 400g
- Adjustable strap: 21 55 cm (drop length). The strap length is set by a knot inside the bag.
This bag is extra special, as I sent them a photo of my Chanel slingback shoes and asked if they had a color that would to match them. So they handmade my Panino bag with one of their limited edition colors. What do you think of the match? I’m so impressed and love that the limited edition color, made to order, makes it such a unique bag.
Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman custom bags
It’s not just my Panino bag, Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman can make any of their bags in the limited edition colors they have in their workshop. You just need to ask! This makes for a truly special bag and is great if you have a dress or outfit for a special occasion, or a pair of shoes like I did, to be able to create a really cohesive look.
Atelier Madre Manuel Dreesman bags: Pros and Cons
Honestly, I can’t think of any cons, unless you don’t like cowhide and prefer lambskin. However, if you’re shopping for a long lasting, handmade, sustainable, quality bag that’s a unique, quiet luxury bag under $1,000, and modern, minimalist and statement making, check out their full leather goods collection. They also make belts, laptop cases, wallets, etc which make great gifts and ship for free worldwide when you spend over $100.
Is Atelier Madre a Quiet Luxury Alternative?
Yes, especially at this price point. It can be hard to find a contemporary handbag under $1,000 that feels elevated and this is where they excels. No logos, excessive hardware or frills, just quality, statement, minimalist bags.
