Do you love leather products?
Basically, everyone loves leather essentials one way or the other. The global leather goods market is valued at over 400 billion USD. And from this, you can understand the number of buyers in the leather industry. The demand for leather goods has been increasing from basic to premium use.
Leather assures you comfort and fancy, and trendy pieces you cannot resist. Leather manufacturing has been done in a way to prepares customers with its timeless elegance, fashion trends, and comfy fit. But how many of you, know about the raw materials of the leather?
Tune in with us while we prepare a brief overview of leather and its evolution to luxury, decoding all its raw materials and process of making.
Understanding the Raw Materials of Leather
Today we will uncover how leather became versatile, starting from animal hides and skin. Something basic now has wide coverage ranging from fancy jackets, comfy sofas, and even baseball gloves.
Back in the ancient time (Stone Age), people used to hunt animals for food. Not only did they eat meat, but used plain-animal skin for everything, like clothes, and tents, to keep them warm, and dry. Buckle up as we unfold the mystery of the humble beginnings of leather from animal hide to luxury material.
Fast-forward to date, people just love using leather from exotic animals. And it has to some extent exploited animals. Leather types vary on different raw materials, preferably animal textures and characteristics.
What are the Common Leather Sources?
Leather is an emblem of fashion, comfort, and style, and the journey of sourcing leather is quite interesting. What do you think about the unique characteristics and applications of animal hide, where do they come from?
Talking about common leather sources, cowhide, calfskin, and deerskin that come from cattle and bring good fortune to the manufacturer. Apart from these, the suppleness of sheepskin, the durability of goatskin, and the breathability of pigskin are something to consider.
Let’s explore more of these common sources and understand their unique texture, style preferences, and how leather sources and raw materials choices make a difference.
1. Cowhide
If you are someone who looks towards versatility, durability, and affordability of leather, cowhide reigns supreme. It's because it not only adds natural strength, but can be a reliable choice for boots, belts, and even leather jackets, standing against everyday wear and tear.
2. Calfskin
Calfskin adds luxurious softness, smooth fine grain, and extraordinary suppleness, and high-end fashion choices become possible with these types of raw materials. Young cowhide is widely used in the making of butterfly gloves, handbags, and wallets. Will you grab some?
3. Deerskin
Leather sourced from deerskin gives lightweight, softness, breathability, and water-resistant properties. It is the ideal choice for making hiking boots, gloves, and jackets and being flexible and resilient as possible.
4. Sheepskin
Sheepskin leather gives you comfort like no other. It is suitable for both winter and summer, as a natural temperature regulator. The fluffy textures of sheepskin, give you rustic charm. Snug slippers, car seats, and fluffy jackets are some common uses of sheepskin-made leather.
5. Goatskin
Goatskin leather offers water resistance and durability features making it a good pick for making gloves, watch straps, and wallets. Do you think goatskin leather can be a unique addition to your leather wardrobe?
6. Pigskin
Pigskin is yet another popular raw material of leather. The smoothness and breathability of pigskin are what everyone talks about. It is a comfortable puck for baseball gloves, furniture upholstery, and linings. It is beyond ordinary and versatile and comes in several options matching your budget. Excited to explore some?
Beyond the Ordinary: Sourcing of Exotic Leather Materials
The existence of exotic leather like crocodiles, ostriches, snakes, and others has led to an exuding sense of prestige, power, and extraordinary textures. As we delve into the unique patterns, undeniable luxury, and exquisite leather textures, ethical considerations are something questioned. Is it okay to exploit animals for leather?
But before coming to that, let's know what the true patterns and allure of exotic leather sources look like. The VIP customers always snatch on the rarity and luxurious pieces of leather, but what’s more interesting in the exotic charms?
1. Snake Leather
Snake leather is fascinating for some, with defining scales, bold geometric patterns, and a suppleness of luxury. The durable and rare nature of snake leather makes it at premium prices. Its aura of exclusivity is something that cannot be easily replicated. Grab some color pops but opt for responsible sourcing of such exotic leather family groups.
2. Crocodile leather
Crocodile leather is another epitome of luxury. These leather pieces come in a range of earthy tones color options, not just brow, deep onyx, cognac brow, and tints of olive green and tan colors. The random bumps on the leather pieces just add to the classic beauty. The luxury factor of crocodile leather lists it in the premium category of leather.
3. Ostrich leather
Ostrich leather is not commonly sourced leather, as it belongs to the exotic family of raw materials of leather. Its unexpected rustic charm, big bumps, and a colorful cameo of grey, blue, ivory, earthy browns, and blacks make it a choice. It is strong and durable making it a popular choice in premium boots, bags, and wallets, and its extra breathability is what lures customers.
Understanding the hide properties of Raw materials of leather
Leather is an elegant material made from animal hides. And let's understand the final quality and character of the leather.
1. Animal Factor
The Hide properties do vary based on the animal factor, which breeds it is, and the age group. Younger animals provide comparatively smooth and finer grain texture of leather than the old hides which are more robust and thick.
2. The technique of Tanning
Leather properties are also defined by the tannage technique provided on the hide and raw materials of leather. Two different types of tanning leather are there, let's understand what each unfolds on the part of hide properties of leather.
i. Vegetable Tanning
Vegetable tanning is the process of utilizing renewable resources, aka natural tannins found in plants for leather. The usage can comprehend the bark, leaves, and fruit-based tannins to develop a rich patina over the leather surface. Breathability and unique essence are still preserved with less environmental impact on this process.
ii. Chrome Tanning
It takes just days to chemically tan the leather surface with chromium salts. The smooth operating chrome-based tanning is more supple than vegetable tanning, and easier to clean. It is used in applications like leather footwear, accessories, and even garments. In comparison, chrome tanning is a more economical option.
3. Grading Options
Leather is also categorized into types based on imperfections and grading scale. Both the patterns and natural marking offer quality and price to leather.
i. Full-grain
Feel the raw texture of leather, a full-grain one, with unique markings, and inhale the rich aroma of full-grain leather. The leather grading is made to last, and increase the durability and functionality of leather products.
ii. Top-grain
Similar to full-grain, natural beauty is preserved in top grain. With minor imperfections like wrinkles and scars, a smoother look and feel is also offered by such leather grading type.
iii. Corrected grain
In corrected-grain hides retain the top layer and the leather surface is buffed to remove imperfections. Desirable scraps and fillers are done, but air circulation is also there, and moisture absorption.
iv. Bonded leather
In comparison to high-grade options, the strength and durability is comparatively low. The mix of real and fake leather is more durable than vinyl if taken properly care of.
Alternatives to Raw Materials of Leather
Lab-grown leather and bio-based tanning are some of the leather futures that blend innovation and responsibility. Sustainable tanning and responsible sourcing are some trends ongoing in the leather industry.
Plus, animal agriculture is growing, which is impacting the environment. Do you think an alternative is a necessity as of today? Have a look at some:
1. Plant-based leather alternatives
Pineapple leather, apple leather, and mushroom leather are some luxurious fabrics made from resource utilization. Wastage like discarded leaves of pineapple trees, mycelium network of mushrooms, and peels of apples and the fruit industry now can be a replacement for leather fabric.
Unlike the animal industry, it does not exploit animals but provides strong properties know what they are;
| Types of leather | Properties |
|---|---|
| Pineapple Leather | strong, breathable, and water-resistant |
| Mushroom Leather | strong, flexible, and even fire-resistant |
| Apple Leather | durable apple-scented leather |
2. Lab-grown leather
Cell-cultured leather, using revolutionary science and technology, can be an alternative to leather. Generating leather identical cultured animal cells in the lab can address the ethical concerns of the leather. Even, bio-fabricated leather, making collagen for leather-like materials using bacteria and fungi can be the future of leather.
3. Recycling
Better than throwing up leather waste, getting it a second life through repair, recycling, and reuse is a good strategy for sustainable practices. Even, the pre-loved leather accessories can be given life back, redefining their texture, conditioning, and adding up embellishment, and various ways.
Conclusion
The beauty and versatility of leather come from high-quality sources. As you navigate raw materials of leather, there is an avalanche to choose from. Make a unique and informed choice according to the desired product, be it a leather jacket, gloves, wallet, boots, or other. Above all ensure brands are committed to sustainable practices and ethical leather sourcing, like LWG certifications.
Let your leather choices speak of your fashion choices, values, texture, and patterns you prefer. Navigate the plethora of leather from different sources, and style it your way. Keep updating with A-one leather for more interesting articles.
