Elvis & Kresse
Elvis & Kresse is a UK sustainable luxury accessories brand founded in 2005 that handcrafts bags, wallets, belts, and small leather goods at its Kent workshop from reclaimed London fire-hose, Rolls Royce leather offcuts, and printing blankets, selling direct-to-consumer globally and donating 50% of profits to charity.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersKent, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Elvis & Kresse does
Elvis & Kresse is a UK-based sustainable luxury accessories brand founded in 2005 and headquartered at a regenerative farm in Kent, where it operates a handcraft workshop powered in part by on-site renewable energy generation. The company transforms three categories of reclaimed industrial materials — decommissioned fire-hose donated by the London Fire Brigade, upcycled leather offcuts sourced from Rolls Royce, and reclaimed printing blankets — into premium bags, wallets, belts, briefcases, backpacks, and small leather goods, organized into three named collections (Decommissioned Fire-hose, Rescued Leather & Fire-hose or 'Fire-Hide', and Reclaimed Printing Blanket & Fire-hose). The technical differentiator is proprietary small-batch artisan processing that converts waste-stream materials into durable, weather-resistant finished products sold at premium price points ranging from approximately $42 for a tassel keyring to over $500 for travel bags.
The company monetizes through four channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce on elvisandkresse.com with global USD pricing and international shipping; wholesale distribution via a dedicated portal at eako.co.uk supplying physical stockists; experiential revenue including on-site workshops ('Design your own'), farm tours, holiday cottage rentals, and a $1,367 weekend experience package; and selective co-branded B2B collaborations (e.g., Hotel Gotham Newcastle, Sotheby's-hosted workshops). A defining feature of the business model is the structural commitment to donate 50% of profits to The Fire Fighters Charity and Barefoot College International, with cumulative donations exceeding £1,000,000.
Customer segments center on eco-conscious professionals and sustainable luxury consumers willing to pay a premium for handcrafted, ethically produced accessories with verifiable material provenance, supplemented by gift buyers and corporate gifting clients. The brand is founder-owned, privately held, and shows no evidence of external institutional investment. Certifications include B Corporation, Living Wage Foundation, Social Enterprise UK 'Business for Good', the 2022 Queen's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, and the 2015 Cartier Women's Initiative Award. Operating geographies span Europe and North America via DTC and wholesale channels.
Elvis & Kresse firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elvis & Kresse
- Legal name
- Elvis & Kresse
- Website
- https://elvisandkresse.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Elvis & Kresse is a UK sustainable luxury accessories brand founded in 2005 that handcrafts bags, wallets, belts, and small leather goods at its Kent workshop from reclaimed London fire-hose, Rolls Royce leather offcuts, and printing blankets, selling direct-to-consumer globally and donating 50% of profits to charity.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Elvis & Kresse industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Luxury Accessories
- NAICS
- Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing (316)
- SIC
- Leather & Leather Products (3100)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Luxury Handbags & Leather Goods (CRAAAFAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Bag & Accessory Components/Hardware (Straps, Buckles, Zippers) (CRAAAJAJ)
Keywords
Where Elvis & Kresse is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kent
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Elvis & Kresse business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales: One-time purchase of luxury accessories including bags, wallets, belts, and travel items made from reclaimed materials. Products are sold at premium price points reflecting their luxury positioning and sustainable credentials.
- Experiences & Workshops: Revenue from hosting 'Design your own' workshops at their Kent farm and at external venues like Sotheby's, farm tours, holiday cottage rentals, and The Elvis & Kresse weekend experience package.
- Wholesale: Products sold through wholesale channels via eako.co.uk to stockists and retailers
- Charitable Donations: 50% of profits donated to charitable causes including The Fire Fighters Charity and Barefoot College International. This is not a revenue stream but a core business model element that differentiates the brand.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories (wallets, belts, keyrings) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bags - Fire-hose Only |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bags - Leather & Fire-hose |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bags - Printing Blanket |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Travel Bags |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Experiences |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Briefcases |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Elvis & Kresse product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Elvis & Kresse handcrafts luxury bags, wallets, belts, and accessories from decommissioned London Fire Brigade fire-hose, upcycled Rolls Royce leather, and reclaimed printing blankets. Products are manufactured by hand at their own workshop facilities in Kent, UK, and the company donates 50% of its profits to The Fire Fighters Charity and Barefoot College International.
Product overview
Elvis & Kresse is a sustainable luxury designer accessories brand established in 2005, operating as a single unified product line rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The company transforms rescued materials into high-quality accessories through three main product collections: Decommissioned Fire-hose (bags, belts, purses, accessories made from London Fire Brigade decommissioned fire-hose), Rescued Leather & Fire-hose (bags, wallets, belts combining upcycled Rolls Royce leather with recycled fire-hose), and Reclaimed Printing Blanket & Fire-hose (bags and accessories). Core products span multiple categories including Tote Bags (Classic Tote, Dutch Tote, Tooley Tote, Whitstable Tote), Crossbody Bags (Boho Bag, Crossbody Clutch, Small Post Bag, Disco Bag, Saddle Bag, Reporter Bag), Shoulder Bags, Weekend Bags (Weekend Bag, Gladstone Bag, Overnight Bag), Backpacks (Voyager, Large, Small), Messenger Bags, Briefcases (Continental, Metropolitan, Compact, Laptop), and Accessories (Purses, Wallets, Belts, Tech Cases, Notebooks, Wash Bags, Keyrings). The company operates two manufacturing sites, produces its own renewable energy, and donates 50% of profits to The Fire Fighters Charity and Barefoot College International.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fire-Hose Collection: Products made from decommissioned fire-hose rescued from London Fire Brigade
- Fire-Hide Collection
- Printing Blanket Collection
Products and services
- Decommissioned Fire-hose Collection Product line made entirely from decommissioned London Fire Brigade fire-hose, including bags, belts, purses, wallets, and accessories. Sold to consumers seeking weather-resistant, durable luxury accessories with strong sustainability credentials.
- Rescued Leather & Fire-hose (Fire-Hide) Collection
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% of profits donated to The Fire Fighters Charity and Barefoot College International
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Elvis & Kresse
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Elvis & Kresse technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Elvis & Kresse partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- London Fire BrigadecorePrimary supplier of decommissioned fire-hose material. The London Fire Brigade donates retired fire-hose that would otherwise go to landfill, which Elvis & Kresse transforms into luxury accessories. This partnership forms the foundation of the company's signature product line.
- The Fire Fighters CharitycorePrimary charitable beneficiary receiving 50% of all profits. The partnership supports retired and serving firefighters through the charity's services and programs.
- Barefoot College InternationalcoreCharitable beneficiary receiving 50% of all profits. The partnership funds solar engineering training programs, particularly empowering women in rural communities to become solar engineers.
- Rolls RoycecoreSource of upcycled luxury leather materials. Rolls Royce supplies leather offcuts and materials from their manufacturing process that would otherwise be discarded, which Elvis & Kresse transforms into premium leather accessories.
- Sotheby'sflagshipElvis & Kresse hosted a 'Design Your Own' Workshop at Sotheby's, bringing their artisan experience to a prestigious auction house setting. This collaboration elevates the brand's positioning in the luxury market.
- Hotel Gotham NewcastleflagshipSignificant collaboration creating hotel-branded sustainable leather goods and accessories. The partnership represents Elvis & Kresse's expansion into hospitality collaborations.
- Living Wage FoundationminorCertifying body for Living Wage certification, recognizing Elvis & Kresse's commitment to paying the real Living Wage to all employees.
- B CorporationminorCertifying organization for B Corp status, which Elvis & Kresse achieved as one of the first companies to gain B Corp certification in the UK.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Elvis & Kresse competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mulberry: UK heritage luxury leather goods house with a flagship handbag range and similar premium positioning. Much larger scale (~1,400 employees vs. E&K's 11-50), but operates in the same UK-luxury-leather category and channels through DTC, wholesale, and experiential retail.
- Burberry: British luxury fashion house operating a broad accessories and leather goods line. Overlaps with E&K's category and UK heritage positioning, but operates at global incumbent scale with a much larger portfolio across apparel, fragrance, and accessories.
- Stella McCartney: Global luxury fashion house built around sustainability, cruelty-free materials, and circular innovation. Overlaps with Elvis & Kresse on purpose-driven luxury and circular design narrative, but operates at much broader incumbent scale across apparel and accessories.
- Loewe: Spanish heritage luxury house anchored in leather craftsmanship and artisanal bag-making. Directly comparable on the craft-leather narrative and premium handbag positioning that defines Elvis & Kresse, but operates at global incumbent scale within LVMH.
Direct peers
- DeMellier London: London-based contemporary luxury handbag brand built around ethical production, transparent supply chains, and the 'Better to Carry' giving-back model. Closely overlaps Elvis & Kresse on purpose-driven DTC luxury positioning and price range.
- Cuyana: US DTC sustainable leather bag and accessory brand with a 'lean luxury' philosophy and traceable supply chain. Comparable on mission, premium DTC channel mix, leather-led assortment, and similar price ceiling for core bags.
- Launer London: Heritage British leather goods maker famous for the Queen's handbag. Comparable scale, artisanal handcraft roots, UK luxury positioning, and handbag-led assortment — an obvious direct peer for E&K's premium handmade bag offering.
- Smythson: British luxury maker of small leather goods, notebooks, and travel accessories, with comparable price points and a similar heritage-DTC model. Directly comparable on small leather goods, printing-blanket-like notebook category, and craft-led brand storytelling.
- O My Bag: Amsterdam-based sustainable leather bag brand built on full supply-chain transparency, eco-leather, and fair-trade production. Closely mirrors Elvis & Kresse on purpose, materials story, premium DTC positioning, and bag-led assortment.
- Anya Hindmarch: UK-based luxury handbag and accessories designer with strong DTC premium positioning and ongoing sustainability initiatives (recycled materials, plastic-free packaging). Closest comparable on geography, channel mix, and price band to Elvis & Kresse's core bag line.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Elvis & Kresse social profiles
Digital presenceElvis & Kresse financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elvis & Kresse leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Elvis & Kresse funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elvis & Kresse M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Elvis & Kresse
What does Elvis & Kresse do?
Elvis & Kresse handcrafts luxury bags, wallets, belts, and accessories from decommissioned London Fire Brigade fire-hose, upcycled Rolls Royce leather, and reclaimed printing blankets. Products are manufactured by hand at their own workshop facilities in Kent, UK, and the company donates 50% of its profits to The Fire Fighters Charity and Barefoot College International.
Is Elvis & Kresse a public or private company?
Elvis & Kresse is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Elvis & Kresse founded?
Elvis & Kresse was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Elvis & Kresse based?
Elvis & Kresse is headquartered in Kent, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Elvis & Kresse make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are experiences & Workshops, wholesale and charitable Donations.
Who are Elvis & Kresse's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mulberry, Burberry, Stella McCartney and Loewe. Direct peers are DeMellier London, Cuyana, Launer London, Smythson, O My Bag and Anya Hindmarch.
Does Elvis & Kresse have an API?
No public API is recorded for Elvis & Kresse.
What industry is Elvis & Kresse in?
Elvis & Kresse's product category is Sustainable Luxury Accessories. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAFAD, Luxury Handbags & Leather Goods, with a secondary code of CRAAAJAJ, Bag & Accessory Components/Hardware (Straps, Buckles, Zippers). Its NAICS code is 316 and its SIC code is 3100.