Each DESTAAL piece begins long before production — through a process of reduction, precision, and material integrity.
We believe that beauty comes from exceptional materials and impeccable craftsmanship. When these two elements are resolved, nothing more is needed.
Every creation begins with a question:
“What is truly essential?”
And above all: “How can we create an object that stands the test of time?”
This approach reflects the core idea behind DESTAAL: creating accessories that are considered, precise, and where the material is the protagonist.
The name itself, DESTAAL, reflects this vision — deriving from “staal” (the Dutch word for steel), a symbol of strength and permanence, and from De Stijl, the Dutch artistic movement that rejected ornamentation in favor of simplicity and purity of form.
Sketching & development
Each concept is developed through a combination of sketching and digital design.
Working in CAD and 3D allows us to define proportions in real scale and refine every detail with precision.
Once the design is resolved, we collaborate closely with the pattern maker to translate the object into its final construction.
Every decision is made in relation to the material, ensuring that form and construction enhance and support its intrinsic characteristics.
Materials
Material is always the starting point. We place particular attention on selecting the best suppliers.
Our Texas box calf is sourced from Tanneries Haas in France, founded in 1842 and widely recognized for the exceptional quality of its leathers.
All hardware is crafted entirely from stainless steel — a deliberate choice that reflects the identity of DESTAAL: precision, resistance, and permanence. Our signature snap closure is developed in collaboration with the Swiss manufacturer Riri.
Prototyping
Once the materials are selected and the pattern is defined, prototypes are developed to test proportions at real scale and to refine the craftsmanship.
We iterate until the object reaches its final equilibrium.
Production is carried out in Italy in collaboration with Tivoli Group, an established leather goods manufacturer based in Florence, operating since 1981.
Final object
That special moment, after months of development, when the object can be held for the first time.
At this stage, the idea becomes tangible — not yet complete, but already present.
Further refinements follow, including wear testing to evaluate performance and resolve any remaining details.
We travel regularly to Florence to work directly with our manufacturing partner, in close dialogue with the technicians and artisans involved in the process.
It is through this exchange — between design, material, and craftsmanship — that the final object comes to life.
Photography
Once the product is fully defined, it is ready to be photographed.
As an online-only brand, we place particular attention on capturing the object with accuracy and precision.
We collaborate with a specialist still life photographer based in London, ensuring that each image conveys the tactile quality of the object, even through a screen.
