Philosophy
What we stand for
YVY creates the most exciting leather pieces that cross the boundaries between object, accessory and clothing.
In 2015, YVY was founded in Zurich, Switzerland, creating
seasonally independent designs where traditional craftsmanship meets innovation.
Away from mass production toward skillfully developed pieces of art; YVY stands for selected materials and high quality throughout the entirety of manufacturing. Detailed tracery, lacing and delicate rivets, combined with carefully crafted cuts, melt into transcendental pieces of craftsmanship.
Yvonne Reichmuth
The Founder and Creative Director
Yvonne Reichmuth is the founder and creative director of YVY GmbH, founded in 2015. Thanks to a clear aesthetic vision and distinctive products, Yvonne has established her company as a leading independent brand for innovative, handmade leather goods.
YVY's leather pieces are regularly featured in the press (such as Vogue, W, Interview, NY Times, Elle, amongst others) and are worn by celebrities such as Madonna, Monica Bellucci, Billie Eilish, Ricky Martin, Kristen Stewart, Lady Gaga and many more.
Throughout this journey both YVY and Yvonne, have been awarded with several prizes including the Swiss Design Awards, the Swiss Design Prize for Young Entrepreneurs, Accessory Designer of the Year by Premium‘s Berlin Young Talent Award, The Future of Fashion Award by Premiere Classe Paris, Top 100 in Switzerland by Women in Business, amongst others.
In addition to her own brand, Yvonne was part of the creative team at Swiss luxury sports car brand Piëch Automotive, where she was involved in building the brand between 2019 and 2023 and also led the colour and trim division.
In 2022, YVY has also entered the watch industry, thanks to an exclusive partnership with the renowned Swiss watchmaker Longines. The launch of the first patented designs of modular leather straps, inspired by the equestrian world and presented by ambassador Kate Winslet, made headlines around the world.
Ethics
Our values and beliefs
We closely observe our environment and have developed our own unconventional strategies to stand out and stay true to our values.
Since our beginnings in 2015, each collection has been seasonless. Creating fewer collections but timeless classics allows us to invest time in refining the design, fit and quality of our products. Every piece we offer is meticulously crafted from the finest Italian leather, handcrafted in YVY's studio in the heart of Zurich. Our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship extends to all our collections, whether they are made in Zurich or in collaboration with artisans in Florence. All of our materials, including the finest Italian leather and Swiss-made mesh fabrics, reflect our dedication to quality.
All collections are made of the finest Italian leather, mainly vegetable tanned, and the mesh fabrics are made in Switzerland. YVY stands for fair working conditions and an open and transparent production process. Out of compassion for all living creatures, we only use leather that is a byproduct of the food industry to ensure that no animal is killed for its skin. Most of our leather is vegetable tanned, a centuries-old artisan tradition based on the use of natural tannin extracts. This means that only natural oils and dyes are used, making it a safe process for workers and the environment. This lengthy process gives the leather a unique and natural look.
We believe in leather as a natural material that has stood the test of time with its long-lasting quality, stunning look and feel. We constantly keep up to date with the latest developments and respect all attitudes, but so far we haven't found an alternative to leather that meets our standards for design, quality and sustainability. If you're still looking for a non-animal alternative, contact us and we'll be happy to show you what we can offer.
Want to know more? Visit us in our Zurich studio to learn more about our brand, try our collections and witness the craftsmanship behind each YVY piece.