World Leather Day 2025: Looking Beyond the Surface
- morganandwells
- Apr 26
- 2 min read
Today is World Leather Day, and this year’s campaign from Leather Naturally invites us to go Beyond the Surface—to look deeper into the material we work with and wear, and to challenge assumptions about what leather really represents.
As a traditional leatherworker, I’ve spent countless hours shaping, stitching, and finishing this remarkable material. And I can tell you from experience: leather is anything but superficial.
This year's campaign focuses on three vital pillars that speak directly to the heart of what I do and why I do it.
Transparency
Behind every piece of responsibly made leather lies a tannery that values traceability, ethics, and care. For those of us who work with vegetable tanned leather, this often means small-batch hides tanned using natural tannins from tree bark and plants—an age-old method that’s both traditional and eco-conscious.
Knowing exactly where my materials come from means I can stand behind every item I create. And it allows my customers to buy with confidence, knowing they’re supporting honest, transparent craftsmanship.
Sustainability
Vegetable tanned leather isn’t just beautiful—it’s deeply sustainable. It’s made from a by-product of the food industry, tanned slowly without synthetic additives, and crafted to last a lifetime. Many tanneries I source from are part of a growing movement to assess and reduce environmental impact through responsible water use, energy efficiency, and thoughtful waste management.
By working with naturally tanned hides and traditional hand tools, I aim to keep my own footprint light—honouring the material and the land it came from.
Longevity
Leather has a soul. It wears in, not out. It softens and darkens with time, picking up the patina of everyday life. Its strength, breathability, and comfort make it a world apart from synthetic substitutes—and best of all, it can be repaired, reused, and repurposed again and again.
Every piece I make is designed to age gracefully and tell a story—becoming part of your life, not landfill.
So today, on World Leather Day, I invite you to look a little deeper. To value the materials that last, the craftsmanship that respects them, and the choices we make that honour both.
Let’s celebrate leather—not just as a material, but as a tradition worth preserving.
Useful Links
Comments