As a travel writer with a background in cultural studies, I get really excited about souvenirs.
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They combine my love of shopping with my interest in traditional artistry. Though I maintain a collection of magnets from around the world, that’s hardly the limit of my souvenir collection.
I have handwoven rugs from Morocco, hand-painted Moor’s heads vases from Sicily, cozy slippers made by local shepherds from Poland, hand-carved wooden pieces from Bali, glass-blown baubles from artists in Ireland, and more. (Many more.)
They’re easily some of my most prized possessions. They remind me of the many wonderful adventures that have exposed me to new ideas, art forms, and traditional practices.
I’m a big advocate for investing in souvenirs—and not just in small items like magnets or keychains, but in high-quality products. Think: handmade goods that are crafted using traditional knowledge and local resources. They’re stylish and useful. After all, the best souvenirs are those I get to use every day.
And speaking of souvenirs that are handcrafted, locally sourced, and ready to stand the test of time, I have one recommendation for anyone visiting Barcelona, Spain.
Head into Ciutat Vella’s El Born neighborhood to visit a leather goods studio that’s crafting some of the city’s trendiest new products… which you can customize to your heart’s desire on your visit, including choosing colors and adding a monogram. Welcome to Atelier Madre.
Meet Atelier Madre
Atelier Madre is a leather goods studio located near Museo Picasso in Barcelona’s El Born neighborhood in Ciutat Vella. I’ve passed it dozens of times, since I live in the area and have a chihuahua to walk.
Two weeks ago, I was invited to visit and check out the store—which I happily did after quietly spying on its gorgeous, handcrafted leather bags for months. (All opinions in this article are my own. Remember: I’m a souvenir snob.)
Atelier Madre comes from German designer Manuel Dreesman. He has a team of leather workers who put together handcrafted leather goods daily, from passport holders to tablet cases to purses. These artisans work in-house, as well, meaning you can see them working away near the checkout area at the back of the store.
There are a few factors that make Atelier Madre worth visiting during your visit. First, their Vachetta leather is sourced from local tanneries in Igualada, Catalonia, making it sustainable and small-batch. Second, all products are created in-house, meaning each is—literally—one-of-a-kind. Third, the fresh leather richens as it wears over time, giving you a product that will last decades.
Start with these souvenirs from Atelier Madre
As mentioned above, Atelier Madre products are designed and crafted in-house. Their bags are their standout pieces, in my opinion, thanks to their unique designs.
The Croissant Bag is iconic with its crescent shape and modular design. The Fiona and Panino Bags are two more gorgeous products, and ideal for anyone who appreciates high-design accessories. You can also explore designs like Anemo, Saka, Juno, and Tamara.
Now, shopping for bags at a leather studio is never a bad idea, especially when they’re created in Barcelona from locally sourced tanneries. But if you want a souvenir that’s a little more travel-centric, you have plenty of leather goods to choose from.
Atelier Madre lets you customize travel-related leather goods like luggage tags, sunglass cases, laptop and tablet cases, earrings, toiletry bags, belts, passport holders, key fobs, Airtag cases, and plenty more. (At the bottom of the article, you can see two more photos that I took in the shop.)
These items are better suited to souvenir buys, as they’re easier to pack—and you’re more likely to use them while you’re on the road. (They have a small travel accessories page online, too.)
Up to you. Now, onto the fun stuff—like how to customize your Atelier Madre at no added cost.
How to order and customize leather goods at Atelier Madre
Here’s the last layer to Atelier Madre’s shockingly perfect souvenir offerings: you can customize them by choosing from a swatch of ten colors and add your initials. Depending on how busy the studio is and how large the product is, they might be able to offer same-day turnaround. You can also schedule a next-day pick-up.
To order a customized piece from Atelier Madre, just head into the shop. A rep will come say hello as you shop, and explain how the process works. You’ll speak directly with them to order and customize your product. They’ll hand you a slip, then you come and pick it up at a pre-scheduled time.
The shop is open Monday through Sunday from 11 am – 8 pm. The shop is located at Carrer del Rec 20, 08003, in El Born.
