Where art meets craftsmanship. 

Thaden bags are not manufactured — they are shaped, studied, and sculpted by hand. At the heart of the process lies a deep collaboration between Kristina and Luigi, a Tuscan master artisan with over six decades of experience in handbag making. At the age of 89, Luigi took on the challenge of translating Kristina’s vision — forms inspired by motion, pause, and presence — into something physically possible. Together, they spent over a year and a half refining not just a product, but an entirely new approach to construction.

“We didn’t always agree,” Kristina recalls, “but we liked each other deeply. Each session began with a hug — and sometimes, a heated debate.”

The result: a piece unlike any other. From its interior folds to its sculptural outer shell, every element of a Thaden bag demands precision. The curved stitching must be invisibly secured from the inside, zigzag leather edges require pre-cutting to prevent visible marks, and the pleats are individually reinforced depending on their function — some to carry weight, others to hold space.

Even the interior — made entirely of leather — is a feat of design: it conceals, protects, and expands, while remaining elegant enough to admire on its own. Thaden bags are crafted exclusively from premium calfskin, soft lamb Nappa, and traceable gold-plated brass. They are more than accessories — they are collectible sculptures, made to last, made to be passed down.

In recognition of its innovative form, The WHOLE has been awarded an international design patent.