It's not about being fashionably green or trendy; it just makes sense to care about our planet. Denise has been working with Zero Waste Principles and upcycled materials since Art school in the late 80’s. Zero waste isn’t a trend she adopted; it’s how she’s always operated. 

Bronsino uses rescued and repurposed leathers by collaborating with local upholstery companies, sourced leather remnants, surplus, and off-cuts which are cleaned and conditioned before reuse. This results in very little to no waste. 

We focus on Ethical and sustainable fashion that values the communities and work of our partners. To be transparent, our Baby Alpaca line is produced in a fair trade certified workshop in the Andes of Peru. Through this partnership we provide better living wages and very little to no waste as they only knit and weave what is made to order. By buying Bronsino designed baby Alpaca knitwear, we positively contribute to their traditional community, and bring their skills to the modern world. 

We cater to the conscious consumer who cares deeply about what they buy and who they support. Our customers seek exceptional quality at reasonable prices, and ethically-made products over traditional luxury brands. Stylish and unique, they value the craftsmanship and individuality that Bronsino offers. Join us and embrace sustainable luxury fashion, it’s a lifestyle where quality, ethics, and style intersect. 

With Degrees in Painting and Printmaking I started making leather journals that were sold through craft museums and specialty boutiques in BC and Alberta. 

In 1992 I started Patina, my first business making paper earrings from the remnants of decorative papers and vintage watch faces. 

After giving up my original studio to travel around Peru and meet my husband’s family, we came back to Canada in 2001. At this time, the second phase of Patina was born. The original leather journals and coin purses incorporated our unique images which were hand silk-screened by myself and my husband, Tito, on to the leather. The popularity of these items was in part due to this technique never having been seen before in Vancouver. 

After 3 years of creating my leather goods from the kitchen table while taking care of my newborn son, in 2006 I moved to a larger artist studio in East Vancouver and Bronsino was launched. The need for the Bronsino label came from the high demand for a sophisticated, elegant, and minimalist handbag versus my Patina labelled coin purses which were noted for their nostalgic cute and cheerful designs. 3 

Travel and culture and the interaction with other people is at the core of my inspiration and why I do what I do. I make things that I want to use and that I have a need for, and typically other people are looking for the same thing. Everything that I make is made to be used, loved, cherished, and something that you look forward to accompanying you through your day whether that be through your own city or exploring another country. 

From the beginning, my bags are named after various cities either from my travels or ones that I would like to travel to. My muse has always been other cities, and ways of seeing the world, and the places that connect us. 

Today Bronsino is a combination of my artistic passions, my mission to promote zero waste fashion, and the dedication of my loyal customers who have evolved with me. 

Thank you for reading, love Denise.