The history of The Tannery Manila extends more than a century before the establishment of the consumer brand. According to the company’s records, the family’s involvement in leather making dates to 1901, establishing tanning as a multigenerational enterprise.[1] Over the decades, the business developed expertise not only in tanning hides but also in supplying raw leather materials to various manufacturers.

The family eventually supplied leather to diverse industries, including footwear, bags, furniture, novelty products, and automotive applications. This industrial background provided a distinct advantage: rather than purchasing finished leather from external suppliers, the business possessed comprehensive knowledge of the material starting from the tanning stage.[1]

A significant expansion occurred in the 2000s. In 2007, the company moved beyond raw material production into finished leather goods, pursuing wholesale markets both locally and internationally. During this period, products were exported to Japan, Germany, and the United States.[1]

The transition to a consumer-facing brand was led by the fourth generation of the family. Contemporary reports identify sisters Macy and Mariel Lazaro as key figures in this evolution.[2] They established The Tannery Manila to develop and promote Philippine-made leather goods, shifting the family business from being solely an industrial supplier to a recognized retail brand.[3]

From tannery to consumer brand

The distinction between The Tannery Manila and a conventional fashion label lies in its manufacturing origins. The business began as a tannery and leather manufacturer; the modern brand emerged directly from this industrial foundation. The company describes its evolution as a progression from mastering leather tanning to acquiring expertise in bag making and finished goods production.[1]

This vertical integration between material processing and final product is central to the brand’s identity. Rather than presenting itself merely as a designer handbag company, The Tannery Manila emphasizes the complete leather-making tradition: tanning, material development, design, cutting, craftsmanship, and assembly. Reports confirm that the brand’s goods are crafted from hides sourced within the Philippines and processed at the company’s facilities in Bulacan.[2]

Local production is a primary differentiator for The Tannery Manila. The company states that its leather is manufactured and sourced locally, with both its tannery and leather workshop located in Bulacan. Products utilize top-grain cow leather with various treatments and finishes depending on the specific item, including vegetable-tanned, milled Nappa, embossed, and super-matte leather.[1]

Raw hides are described as locally sourced by-products of the food industry. Additionally, the tannery employs water-recycling technology as part of its environmental approach to leather processing.[1] These elements form the core brand narrative: Philippine leather heritage combined with local manufacturing and contemporary design.

The Tannery Manila maintains a broad portfolio that extends beyond handbags. Its catalog encompasses categories for women, men, travel, work, and leather care.[1]

Women’s products

• Handbags
• Shoulder and bucket bags
• Sling and belt bags
• Belt bags
• Tote bags
• Backpacks
• Business bags
• Wallets
• Card holders
• Wristlets
• Coin purses
• Pouches

Men’s products

• Messenger bags
• Crossbody bags
• Belt bags
• Tote bags
• Backpacks
• Briefcases
• Clutches
• Wallets
• Card holders
• Money clips
• Coin purses
• Pouches[1]

Travel

• Duffle bags
• Travel wallets
• Passport holders
• Luggage tags
• Key holders
• Cord organizers
• Toiletry/clutch products

Work

• Business bags
• Laptop bags
• Briefcases
• Checkbooks
• Card holders
• Stationery accessories
• Chef’s bags[1]

Products are organized into named collections that address different aesthetics and leather treatments. Notable lines include The Maven, The Harrison, The Averly, and The Montclaire.[1][2]

• The Maven Collection: Uses milled Nappa leather, positioned around softness, everyday luxury, and versatility.
• The Harrison Collection: Features top-grain, semi-vegetable-tanned cow leather with a traditionally masculine aesthetic.
• The Montclaire Collection: Utilizes vegetable-tanned leather, emphasizing structured designs and patina development over time.
• The Averly Collection: Uses embossed leather for a more fashion-oriented appearance.[1]

These collections demonstrate the use of varied tanning processes, textures, and finishes to create distinct product identities rather than treating leather as a standardized material.

The Tannery Manila describes its aesthetic as a blend of classic elegance and sophistication, incorporating vintage design elements with contemporary appeal.[1] Key characteristics include:

• Timeless silhouettes rather than trend-dependent styles
• Functional everyday designs
• Leather as the primary visual and tactile element
• Traditional craftsmanship paired with modern hardware
• Neutral and earthy color palettes
• Products designed to develop character with use

This philosophy is particularly evident in collections using vegetable-tanned leather, where the natural development of patina is highlighted as a desirable feature.[1]

Beyond ready-made retail items, the brand offers a made-to-order service allowing customers to specify leather materials, dimensions, and design details. Craftsmen handle pattern making, layout, and production for these customized pieces.[1]

Hot stamping and monogramming services are also available for adding initials or names to select products. These personalization options reinforce the brand’s identity as a craft-based manufacturer rather than a mass-market accessories retailer.

Corporate gifting and wholesale production remain integral to the business. The company provides branded and bespoke leather products for corporate giveaways, events, and organizational requirements.[1][2]

This segment has historical roots in the family’s earlier operations. Prior to launching the consumer brand, the family business supplied leather goods to banks, hospitals, corporations, and government offices.[3] Consequently, The Tannery Manila operates across two distinct markets: B2C (individual consumers purchasing bags and accessories) and B2B (companies ordering customized promotional products and corporate gifts).

While fundamentally a Filipino brand, The Tannery Manila maintains international technical ties. The company has collaborated with leather technicians from Spain, Indonesia, and France to maintain technical capabilities and stay aligned with global manufacturing trends.[1]

Historically, the family’s leather business also exported finished goods to Japan, Germany, and the United States.[1] This positions the brand as one where local manufacturing is informed by international leather-making expertise.

Local manufacturing is central to the brand’s identity. The Tannery Manila explicitly promotes its products as locally made, with materials and handcrafting sourced and executed within the Philippines.[1] Its Bulacan facility connects the brand to the country’s longstanding leather and footwear manufacturing ecosystem.

Unlike brands that adopt a “Filipino-inspired” aesthetic without local production, The Tannery Manila’s narrative is grounded in an actual manufacturing heritage dating to the early 20th century.

The Tannery Manila operates branches in major Metro Manila shopping destinations, including Shangri-La, UP Town, SM Mall of Asia, and SM North.[1][2] The UP Town Center location, for example, is situated at the 2nd Floor, Phase 1B, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.[1]

An online store complements the physical retail network, providing a mix of brick-and-mortar sales, e-commerce, bespoke manufacturing, and corporate services.

The brand offers a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials or craftsmanship. This warranty excludes ordinary wear and tear, accidental damage, improper care, or alterations.[1] This policy aligns with the positioning of leather goods as long-term investments rather than disposable fashion items.

Repair services and leather-care products are also available, supporting the longevity of the products.[1]

The Tannery Manila occupies a niche between traditional leather craftsmanship and contemporary lifestyle retail. It combines elements of a traditional tannery, a mass-market accessories company, a luxury fashion house, and an independent artisan workshop.

Its competitive proposition rests on over a century of leather-making heritage, Philippine manufacturing, contemporary design, accessible luxury pricing, and customization options. The brand summarizes this identity with the tagline “Tanning and Crafting since 1901.”[1][2]

The Tannery Manila represents a shift in the Philippine fashion landscape from manufacturing for other brands toward building a proprietary Filipino consumer brand. Historically, many Philippine manufacturers operated behind the scenes producing goods for foreign labels. The Tannery Manila reverses this dynamic by making its manufacturing expertise part of the consumer-facing story.

Media coverage has framed this development as part of a broader effort to revive and demonstrate the capabilities of the Philippine leather industry.[3]

• Heritage: ★★★★★ – A leather-making history dating to 1901.
• Manufacturing: ★★★★★ – Maintains own tanning and leather-working capabilities in Bulacan.
• Filipino identity: ★★★★★ – Local hides, local manufacturing, and distinct Philippine business heritage.
• Design: ★★★★☆ – Classic, sophisticated, and functional designs with contemporary styling.
• Customization: ★★★★★ – Monogramming, made-to-order production, and corporate/bespoke services.
• Market positioning: Premium Filipino leather goods emphasizing craftsmanship and local production.

The Tannery Manila is a Filipino leather-goods brand built on a family leather-making tradition dating to 1901. Originally rooted in tanning and industrial supply, the business evolved into finished-goods manufacturing and eventually into a consumer brand producing handbags, wallets, travel goods, work bags, and accessories. Its leather and products are manufactured and sourced locally, with its tannery and workshop in Bulacan, while incorporating international technical expertise and contemporary design. Today, The Tannery Manila combines heritage craftsmanship with modern retail, e-commerce, personalization, made-to-order production, and corporate gifting, standing as one of the Philippines’ notable locally made leather brands.[1][2]

1. Our Story – The Tannery Manila
2. How The Tannery Manila Creates Filipino-made Leather Goods
3. Sisters’ profitable act