Materials & Care

Vegetable-tanned

Leather

All of the leather that enters my workshop is carefully chosen and fervently tested to guarantee the lifelong luxury of your products.  

I work solely with vegetable tanned leather, crafted masterfully by Italian tanners practicing their art for generations. This particular type of leather is chemical free, using natural tannins from various tree bark & leaves. This process takes great patience and time, which is mirrored by the quality and lasting properties of the leather.  

Your products will only improve with time, developing as rich, glossy patina to showcase their journey with you.   

Rare Equine

Shell Cordovan

Shell cordovan is a rare equine article renowned for its use in high end luxury goods, offering exceptional appearance & durability with rich colours beneath a soft lustre. Produced with great care over many months, each shell is curried masterfully by hand and produced in very small quantities, each shell averaging 2-3 sq.ft.  

Like vegetable tanned leather, cordovan will darken with use, developing rich hues and outstanding character beneath the hallmark glass-like finish. 

All of these wonderful characteristics have resulted in an intense following from creators & collectors alike, with weird and wonderful variations being produced to highlight the versatility of shell cordovan by some of the most talented tanneries worldwide.  

Vinymo MBT

Thread

I am proud to source a range of thread from Osaka, Japan, chosen specifically for it durability, subtle sheen and intense colour. The integrity of your product always comes first, and this thread guarantees first class quality alongside my select leathers. 

The thread's bonded construction ensures that it won't unravel or fray, which is particularly important for leather goods that undergo regular wear and tear. Its resistance to UV rays and chemicals ensures that it will maintain its strength and colour even after prolonged exposure to sunlight, moisture, or other environmental factors.  

I stock a wide range of colours of thread, and offer pairing guidance for you upon request. 

Caring for your leather goods

Embrace the patina! Vegetable tanned leather develops unmatched character over time due to the exposure to various factors including oils, natural sunlight & environmental elements. This darkens & softens the surface of the leather to create a distinctive & rich finish, with a vibrant hue unlike anything else. While becoming a charming aesthetic feature, this patina also develops a certain degree of water resistance over time.

I would advise that you try to keep your leather goods clean and dry as much as possible until it carries a noticeable patina. Should you find yourself standing with a dripping wallet, don't fret, simply allow it to dry naturally and apply a good quality leather balm afterwards. I personally opt for Saphir, but Smiths or any other natural balm would be ideal. Like your own skin, leather needs to be nourished, and these balms are designed to moisturise & reinvigorate in the very same way. Keep in mind that balms are likely to darken your leather goods, which can be useful if you're planning on kick starting your patina quickly. 

Avoid sharp objects that may permanently damage the leather. Marks, scratches and blemishes all add to the character of a vegetable tanned leather product. Contact me in the event of more serious damage and repair services can be arranged.