Leather UK releases the Art of Leather, its first ever collection of the UK’s most exciting leather makers and creators

Leather UK, the trade body for the UK leather industry has launched its first ever showcase of the most exciting leather makers and creators working in the UK today – available at https://leatheruk.org/downloads-and-resources/the-art-of-leather-series/ and https://issuu.com/andymhall/docs/leather_advocate_publication_jul2021-v1-single-pag

The collection, the Art of Leather a glossy, magazine-style online publication aims to inform and inspire. It introduces readers to some of the most talented artisans working in leather clothing, jewellery, accessories, interiors, art and more, whose highly desirable works are available to purchase or who can be commissioned directly. 

Featured in the launch issue of the Art of Leather are:

Martina Spetlova - fashion designer 

Baa Stool - interiors 

Tania Clarke Hall - jewellery designer 

Iseabal Hendry - accessories designer 

Welsh Organic Tannery - sheep, goat and deerskin tannery 

Karl Donoghue - fashion designer 

Mark Evans - artist

J. & F.J. Baker & Co Ltd - traditional oak bark tannery 

Warriner Leather Works - leather artisan 

Georgina Brett Chinnery - leather artist and sculptor 

Grady + Robinson - regenerative farming fashion design 

Owen Barry - sheepskin fashion and interiors

Spire Leather - tannery 

Charles Laurie – London-based leather artisan 

Joshua Millard - fashion designer

The initiative comes at a time when Leather UK is exploring ways to grow understanding among consumers of how leather is produced in this country. Better education about leather’s status as a by-product of the meat industry (hides would end up in landfill or similar if not made into leather) and its sustainability credentials in a world increasingly awash with plastic materials are important messages. 

Equally important is driving awareness of the vibrant scene of innovative artisans and artists whose work and ethos is representative of an exciting new direction in leather-making, where creativity thrives in harmony with responsible, ethical production.

Explaining the Art of Leather initiative, Jessica Aiers, Leather UK business development manager says: “The leather sector is full of amazingly talented makers, creating objects and works of great beauty. However, unless consumers are well-informed, it can be hard to know where to find them. It is an important part of our role at Leather UK to ensure that our members are better known and this first-ever issue of the Art of Leather is a platform to do just that.

She continues: “While each of our featured makers is unique in what they do, they are united in their desire to make responsibly and mindfully, wasting as little as they can and sourcing locally where possible. Farm to fork becomes farm to bag, or shoes or coat. Consumers increasingly want to know how the things they buy and use are produced. Leather is a by-product and by its very nature sustainable, durable and beautiful. We hope the Art of Leather shows consumers that it is possible to purchase leather with an easy conscience.

Ends

Editors notes

Leather UK supports the industry and also provides expert information to the media and consumers about any aspect of leather. This is a wide-ranging service, from how leather is made, its sustainability credentials, to where to find an expert leather artisan to make a bespoke item, or refashion a favourite leather piece.