Leather

Vegetable tanning transforms animal hides into soft, smooth, durable leather of the highest quality, with unique characteristics. This type of tanning uses processes which have been passed on for centuries from generation to generation of master craftsmen.

The vegetable-tanning process was the original method developed to tan leather hides. It is more natural and environmentally friendly than “chrome” tanning, a cheaper, chemically intensive alternative that uses chromium sulphates and acidic salts to tan hides. While chrome tanning produces a similar look for leather in the short term, over time only vegetable-tanned leather will develop the rich patinas, soft hand-feel and unique fragrance for which it is so prized. Unlike chrome-tanned leather, vegetable-tanned leather is exceptionally durable – with the right care, it can last a lifetime.

The leather bags and accessories that we carry are crafted with cowhides from Argentina famous for its fine leather. The hides are immersed for several weeks in a mixture of natural ingredients, including the bark powder from the Quebracho tree as well as natural oils and water.