The process of Ensis III
At the centre of the presentation is Ensis III, a new edition of the Ensis bag, developed in collaboration with designer-furniture maker Jonas Van Put. Inspired by the shape of a razor shell, or Ensis, the bag is constructed from two leather halves brought together by a wooden handle. For Ensis III, the handle undergoes a controlled burning process, while the bag itself is made from charcoal leather and black Crispy calf, a rare leather that achieves a natural pattern through shrinking the hide. The piece will be released in a limited edition of 30, each laser-engraved on the inside with a unique number.
Charcoal & Shells
As part of Antwerp Fashion Festival 2026, Lies Mertens presents Charcoal & Shells, a new capsule within the ongoing Shell collection research project. For this new capsule, the visual language of this research is connected to the earthy materiality of leather and wood, which are confronted with the transformative, almost destructive force of fire. At the centre of the presentation is Ensis III, a new edition of the Ensis bag where its handle undergoes a controlled burning process.
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Charcoal & Shells
As part of Antwerp Fashion Festival 2026, Lies Mertens presented Charcoal & Shells, a new capsule within the ongoing Shell collection research project. For this new capsule, the visual language of this research is connected to the earthy materiality of leather and wood, which are confronted with the transformative, almost destructive force of fire.
Charcoal & Shells
As part of Antwerp Fashion Festival 2026, Lies Mertens presented Charcoal & Shells, a new capsule within the ongoing Shell collection research project. For this new capsule, the visual language of this research is connected to the earthy materiality of leather and wood, which are confronted with the transformative, almost destructive force of fire.
The Icons
Stories behind the bag
Lies Mertens x Nage during Antwerp Fashion Festival
The Oyster small
The Jacques, uniting artisanship with a zero-waste vision
The Ensis, a collaboration with Jonas Van Put
Coming home at Patina
Unfold, the making of the Oyster bag
Sunflower, a color dedicated to Komop tegen Kanker, in collaboration with Achtvazen
Franco in his Italian production atelier
Traditionally handcrafted leather, a visit to our tannery Richard Hoffmans
The space around galerist Sofie Van de Velde
A glimpse into our Antwerp atelier
La Provence
Patina Guesthouse
Els, Jane & Sabine at Patina
The Romance Reader, a collaboration with JANUE
The MycaNova® collection, a Belgian vegan leather alternative made from mycelium
The coincidence of bumping into beautiful things, a closer look at LSP
the Casper bag
the Ed bag
One bag, many people: 5 year Lies Mertens
Winetour II: Winebar ONA
The material VEGEA: from grape waste to wine bag
Winetour I: Weingut Daniel & Bianka
Les Arcades du lac
A moment with artist Isabel Fredeus
The bag as a canvas, a collaboration with Shirley Villavicencio Pizango
the Lien bag
How the William backpack is made
A view on leather and its alternatives by sustainability expert Laurens de Meyer
The Eline bag
The Camiel bag
the cmmc bag
