Our Upcycled Leather Guide: Textures & Finishes
Leather is not just one thing. At our Ghitorni studio, we hunt for unique, upcycled lots. Here is a look at the hides we currently have, from soft pebbles to structured foils.
This is our Slate NDM leather. As Darban explains, the natural pebble texture comes from tumbling the hide in a drum, which also makes it incredibly soft. It's a versatile, hardy black leather perfect for any bag style, from solid to woven or even with embroidery.
Here we discuss our Sand leather, a semi-stiff buffalo hide with a printed texture. Even though it's a light beige color, it's a very hardy and easy-to-clean leather, making it great for everyday use. However, its thickness means we can't do hand-embroidery on it.
Our Bronze leather is a long-time favorite. It's a soft, grainy leather with a subtle metallic sheen that is perfect for both day and evening wear. Here you can see it on our All Woven Little Namrata and the solid Little Ivy.
A closer look at the beautiful texture and metallic finish of our Bronze leather. It works wonderfully for solid bags, our signature woven edit, or even as a base for hand-painted Gond art.
Our artisan Ishak showcasing the Ivy bucket bag in Disco Safari leather. This shows how the semi-stiff, foiled leather creates a structured yet stylish silhouette.
The Aishwarya bag crafted in our statement Disco Safari leather. The firm body of the bag perfectly complements the bold, metallic snake print, creating a true showstopper piece for day or night.
About The Foundation: A Guide to Our Leathers
A quick heads-up before you pick your leather: not every hide takes every technique. Our sturdy Sand leather is fantastic for everyday use because it is hardy, but it is too thick for our hand-embroidery work like Zardozi or Lace. If you have your heart set on a specific art form, let us chat about which leather will actually hold it best.
Understanding Our Leather
When we find a small lot of upcycled leather, we do not just see a material. We look at its gauge, its grain, and how it behaves under a needle. Because we are a small studio, we work with what we find, which means our 'Leather In Focus' series changes as our stock evolves.
The Natural Grain (NDM) Take our Slate NDM, for example. As Darban explains in our studio, the natural pebble texture comes from tumbling the hide in a drum. It is not printed or plated; that grain is the leather's real identity. It is soft, hardy, and honestly, a classic for a reason.
Structured vs. Soft Not every bag shape works with every leather. A structured bucket bag, like our Ivy, needs a firmer hide, while a slouchy hobo bag is better suited for a softer, more pliable grain. When you visit us in Ghitorni, we encourage you to actually touch the piles of crust leather. We will show you the difference between the semi-stiff structural hides and the softer options so you can choose what feels right for your daily wear.
The 'Sand' Reality We love our light-toned, printed leathers like Sand, but they come with limitations. That specific printed texture is gorgeous, but the buffalo hide is thicker than our standard NDM. If you are looking to get intricate Zardozi or Patola embroidery, that leather will not be the right match for the needlework.
Whatever you choose, remember that our 'Single Artisan Made' promise means one maker will sit with that specific piece of leather from start to finish. We want you to love the feel of it as much as the look.
Similar work from other experts
Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe
19
The Handwoven Edit: Artisan Leather Bags
7
Eco-Conscious & Hand-crafted Goods for Mindful Living
Behind the Scenes: The Art of My Handmade Macrame
Custom Cotton & Canvas Bags Designed For Your Vibe
Behind the Art: How We Make Our Clutches
11
Durable Leather Belts for Corporate Bulk Orders
More from Studio Visit & Design Consultation by Chiaroscuro
More services by Chiaroscuro