Our Scrap Leathers

Our Leathers

Leather is where it all begins. At Collect, every piece we craft starts with a deep respect for the material—its imperfections, its character, its potential to last. We work with cowhide for its versatility and durability, favoring scraps and forgotten pieces that we can breathe new life into. Here's how we approach our leathers:

Why Cowhide?

Cowhide is dependable. It’s strong, adaptable, and ages beautifully, developing a patina that tells a story over time. By using cowhide offcuts, we ensure no material goes to waste. Whether it’s a sleek wallet or a luggage tag that’s seen a few journeys, cowhide gives each item the resilience to go further.

Ingrassato Leather: Our Priority

We focus on ingrassato, a treatment that enriches cowhide with natural oils for a soft, buttery finish and deep, rich tones. This leather ages gracefully, gaining character with every scuff and mark. Ingrassato leather isn’t just durable—it feels alive, adapting to you and improving with time.

Our Supplier: Chadefaux Ets

We source our leather scraps from Chadefaux Ets in Paris, a tannery known for supplying some of the most respected fashion houses. Their offcuts are where our process begins—pieces of leather with untapped potential that we transform into something enduring. It’s about honouring the material and giving it the spotlight it deserves.

Reviving Forgotten Leathers

Not everything starts in a tannery. We also seek out discarded and forgotten leather goods from vintage shops and the world around us. These are items that might otherwise be overlooked—until we give them a second life. A new stitch here, a reworked design there, and what was once lost is ready to be part of someone’s story again.

Always Experimenting

Leather is just the beginning. We’re always exploring new materials, treatments, and techniques. From different hides to alternative sources, there’s more on the horizon. Watch this space—you never know what we’ll transform next.

The Takeaway

Every piece of leather we use has a history. Some are remnants of the finest tanneries; others are rediscovered treasures. All are chosen with care, worked by hand, and designed to grow with you. Whether it’s a wallet, a tag, or something still in the works, you’ll always carry a story that’s yours to write.