Materials & Craftsmanship
Materials & Craftsmanship
What the material is, and whose hands make it
Every piece starts with the same two questions: what is this material, and whose hands are making it. What follows is the plain answer - the hides, the hardware, the ateliers, and the time each one takes.
OUR LEATHERS
Full-grain, left as it grew
We work primarily in full-grain leather - the highest grade available, its surface left intact so the natural grain, pores, and markings remain. Our leather comes from tanneries in Italy, France, and Germany, and is a byproduct of the meat industry. Left uncorrected, full-grain leather softens and develops a natural patina with use rather than wearing out.
Within the collection, specific pieces use specific leathers chosen for the job: grained Togo calf leather for its durability and soft hand feel, smooth goat leather as an interior lining, pebbled calf leather for trays and coasters, and nubuck where a softer, sanded surface is wanted. All are chosen for durability, beauty, and the way they age.
EXOTIC LEATHERS
Crocodile, alligator, ostrich
Exotic leathers - crocodile, alligator, and ostrich - follow a separate supply chain from our full-grain leather. The hides may originate outside Europe and are processed in Italy. Our alligator, for example, is Alligator mississippiensis, the American alligator, sourced from licensed farms in Louisiana. All exotic leather is sourced and traded in full compliance with CITES regulations, with documentation available on request.
HARDWARE
Solid brass, in palladium or gold
Clasps, buckles, and closures are solid brass, finished in palladium or gold depending on the piece. The finishes are chosen to resist wear while keeping their depth and tone over time, and they are designed as an integral part of each object rather than an afterthought.
MADE BY HAND, IN MILAN
The ateliers around Milan
Every piece is made by hand in our ateliers around Milan, by artisans we chose ourselves after visiting their workshops and seeing their work firsthand. Edges are hand-stitched and hand-burnished, a finishing step that keeps leather from fraying at the seams over years of use. Pieces are made in small batches, to order - never mass-produced. Read more about the people and the ateliers behind the work on our About page.
MADE TO ORDER
Cut after it is ordered
Because each piece is made after it is ordered rather than pulled from stock, lead time depends on what is being made: roughly 4 to 6 weeks for a small piece such as a leather box, 1 to 2 months for a larger piece such as a sofa, and up to 4 to 6 months for a highly detailed, heavily customized commission. We confirm a timeline with you before work begins. For fully custom and personalized commissions, see our Bespoke page.
CARING FOR YOUR PIECE
A living material
Full-grain leather is a living material: wipe it with a soft, dry cloth, keep it away from water and direct sunlight, and let it rest in its dust bag when not in use. With time and handling it develops a patina that is part of its character, not a flaw. For the complete guide - conditioning, storage, and our repair and restoration service - see our full Leather Care Guide.
The full guide is on our Leather Care page.
These are the materials every piece begins with. To see what they become, explore the collections; to have something made in a leather or colour not shown, begin a commission.