Why we use surplus leather
A material that already exists
When people think about leather production, they often imagine hides being produced specifically for fashion.
In reality, much of the leather used in accessories and footwear comes from hides that already exist as a by-product of the meat industry. Surplus leather takes this idea one step further.
For some of our collections, we work with surplus leather — materials that already exist in the supply chain but were left over from other production runs.
These hides might come from cancelled orders, excess batches, or larger manufacturers that ordered more material than they needed.
Making use of what’s already there
One of the reasons we sometimes choose to work with surplus leather is simple — it allows us to make use of materials that already exist.
Rather than commissioning newly produced hides for every design, we sometimes source leather through long-standing suppliers who specialise in surplus materials within the leather industry.
Alongside these surplus hides, we also work with leather sourced through our regular suppliers. Different materials suit different designs, and availability can vary from batch to batch.
Using surplus materials where possible helps ensure high-quality hides are put to use rather than going to waste.
Why colours sometimes change
If you’ve followed our collections for a while, you may have noticed that certain colours appear for a while and then disappear.
That’s one of the realities of working with surplus leather.
Because the hides come from existing batches, we can’t always guarantee that the same colours or finishes will be available again once a batch has been used. Some colours return, while others may only appear once.
Why some colours become limited editions
For a long time, we actually avoided making bags in certain colours — even when customers asked for them.
Working with surplus leather means you can’t always guarantee the same shade will be available again later. In the early days we worried that introducing colours we couldn’t repeat might frustrate people.
Over time, our thinking shifted.
Rather than trying to force consistency that doesn’t naturally exist in surplus materials, we decided to embrace it. Now, some colours appear as limited editions — small batches made from beautiful hides that happen to become available.
When those batches are gone, they may never appear again in exactly the same shade.
It’s one of the things that makes working with surplus leather a little unpredictable, but it also means every batch has its own story.
Why this approach fits small-batch production
Working with surplus materials naturally fits the small-batch way we produce our bags.
Large fashion brands often rely on ordering enormous quantities of identical materials to support mass production. Smaller runs allow much more flexibility in using materials that are available in limited amounts.
For us, this approach supports both the scale we work at and the type of products we want to create.
It allows us to focus on quality, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design without needing to produce large volumes.
Imperfect but thoughtful choices
No material system is perfect.
Leather raises ethical questions, and surplus leather doesn’t remove those completely. What it can do is reduce waste within an existing supply chain by using materials that are already there.
For us, the goal isn’t to present a flawless solution, but to make thoughtful choices and be transparent about how those choices are made.
Making the most of what already exists
Surplus leather is one of the ways we try to work responsibly within the realities of the materials available to us.
It allows us to create durable bags using high-quality hides that might otherwise sit unused, while continuing to produce in the small batches that suit our workshop and our customers.
Like many decisions in small-scale production, it’s not about perfection — it’s about making considered choices and improving where we can.
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