the leather we use
Sustainable to the environment
We chose to use kangaroo leather, a material ethycally sourced and sustainable to the local environment. As kangaroos are indigenous to the Australian landscape they do not rely on the production of grain and can get by on eating a variety of scrub from the land in the wild. This means they are less destructive and have a smaller impact on the environemnt than other introduced animals. Likewise, as they are wild animals they do not need to be farmed in the conventional way, which if not carried out properly can damage the soil and the natural ecosystems with artificial inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides.
How the leather is sourced?
The NSW Government has in place a kangaroo Management Plan for the conservation of the specie. The National Parks Authority conducts and annual census to monitor kangaroo population through Australia and ensure they are harvested in a humane way, and the population remain ecologically sustainable. The Plan outlines recommended population harvest quotas, to reduce the risk of over-population, pastoral degradation and environmental imbalance. The Government then issues plastic tags to approved harvesters to ensure that only the set quota can be harvested. The Management Plan prohibits the taking of kangaroos for their skin only.
View the 2017-2021 NSW Management Plan here.
Strong, Durable and Unique
Kangaroo leather is stronger than the hide of a cow or goat. It has 10 times the strength of cowhide and is 50% stronger than goatskin.
The unique structure of kangaroo leather allows it to be cut down to very thin but still retain strength. The average thickness is 1 millimeter, which is less than cattle leather (1.2 mm to 1.4 mm thick).
Our leather is full-grain, which is the strongest and most durable part of the hide of an animal as is just below the hair. Because full-grain is left in a more natural state without any buffing back, the grain pattern shows natural imperfections, scars and scratches making every product unique to its owner. Additionally, since the grain is so tight, it resists moisture and abrasion very well.
Tanning Method
We use Vegetable-Tanned leather that means the leather is been treated using vegetable tannin solutions made up only with organic substance present in trees (such as oak, chestnut or mimosa). It produces leathers that look natural, gain personality over time, develop a rich beautiful patina, and gets better with time and use.
Other types of leather tanning process are used in the fashion industry being Chrome tanning the most popular. The leather is tanned using a solution of chemicals, acids and salts to dye the hide. It’s cheap, quick and mass produced. Chrome, like any heavy metal, is extremely toxic and environmentally damaging, thus creating loads of toxic wastewater that if left untreated can cause massive environmental impacts.
Sourced from Australia
Our leather is sourced from a local tannery in Australia specialise in kangaroo skins. The tannery has been in operation since 1883 and prospered over five generations and 105 years.