Two of Britain’s best-known labels, Paul Smith and Mulberry, have worked together for the primary time on a series of unisex totes and crossbody bags that debuted Friday at Smith’s Paris runway show. 

The 2 firms have reworked Mulberry’s classic messenger bag, the Antony, using Smith’s signature stripe webbing straps, colorblocking and Shadow Stripe embossing. 

The capsule includes two latest creations, the Antony Clip and the Antony Tote. Each style is made within the U.K. at Mulberry’s carbon-neutral factories in Somerset with leather sourced from Gold Standard tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group. 

In an interview, Paul Smith said he liked the concept of the luggage being made in England (his accessories are normally manufactured in Spain and Italy), and said the 2 firms had much in common.

Each were founded inside a 12 months of one another — Paul Smith opened in 1970 and Mulberry in 1971. Smith also knows Mulberry’s founder Roger Saul, who isn’t any longer involved with the brand.   

“You may say our brands grew up and got here of age together. I feel that’s partly why we share such an analogous approach to creativity and craft — that, and our Britishness,” Smith said.

“It was so wonderful to have the chance to maintain production within the U.K. Sustainability and circularity could be very essential to each of our firms. It was front of mind after we were working on the collaboration,” he added.

Thierry Andretta, chief executive officer of Mulberry, noted that the ’70s was “a time of unrestrained creativity and dynamic collaboration that allowed each our brands to thrive,” and said the collaboration showed a “shared appreciation for heritage style and a history of championing the British creative community.”

He described the brand new collection as “timeless, versatile and unisex. It might probably be passed down from one generation to the subsequent. And we’re proud that the total collection shall be made within the U.K. at our two carbon-neutral Somerset factories.” 

Mulberry has shifted its sustainability efforts into high gear, making a series of pledges as a part of its Made to Last manifesto. Amongst its many commitments, it sources one hundred pc of its leather from environmentally accredited tanneries and has an in-house platform that sells vintage and pre-owned Mulberry bags.

The corporate also has a Lifetime Service center at its Somerset factory where customers can get their bags and leather goods repaired and rejuvenated. Mulberry said the middle restores greater than 10,000 bags a 12 months.

Smith’s partnership with Mulberry is available in the wake of his recent collaboration with Adidas and the English soccer team Manchester United on a limited-edition Stan Smith sneaker. Smith already serves because the club’s official tailoring partner and outfits the team for match days.

Prices for the Mulberry x Paul Smith bags will start from 450 kilos, and shall be available in Mulberry and Paul Smith stores worldwide.