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• Leather Briefcases

Leather working has been a time-honored tradition in Tuscany for three hundred years. Tanners, cobblers, and other leather goods craftsmen have passed on these time-honored skills from generation to generation. Today, there are more than 2,000 leather workers in the “leather district” in Tuscany.

In 1994, the Vera Pelle Italiana Conciata al Vegetale was born. Eleven Tuscan leather tanneries joined together to form a consortium to promote the quality of traditional Italian leather. Traditional methods of tanning hides in Italy used natural substances to preserve the leather deeply for a longer-lasting product.

Today, there are 26 tanneries that are members of the consortium in an area that stretches from Florence to Pisa. The purpose of the consortium remains promoting the quality of the leathers tanned by its member companies. It also provides a certification for member leathers, guaranteeing the quality of the product. When customers see the consortium’s trademark on a leather handbag or pair of shoes, they know what kind of skill and care went into the leather itself.

Vegetable tanning of leather has been around for centuries. It consists most often of natural tannins extracted from chestnut or quebracho trees. The tannins work slowly on the leather, transforming a raw hide into durable and beautiful leather that will last for decades. The process of vegetable tanning lasts for approximately 40 days which is an eternity compared to modern methods of tanning. Modern tanning methods use chromium sulfate and takes less than a day to complete.

Traditional vegetable tanning provides a deeper and longer-lasting preservation for hide. The process produces practically no toxins and is far gentler on the environment and on its workers than chemical tanning methods. There is no run-off into waterways to be concerned about and fewer dangers to leather workers who can suffer skin and lung problems when working with modern chemical tanning.

Consortium members sell their leathers for the highest-quality leather goods including briefcases, handbags, and luggage. Leather is a natural product and, as such, no one hide looks exactly like another. Vegetable tanning allows the natural grain of the leather to show over time and ensures that the rich hues of the natural leather deepen over time to give a well-worn but elegant look for decades.

Consortium leather is used by many of the world’s top leather products manufacturers as they recognize the quality and longevity of naturally-tanned leathers. The consortium has its own trademark and brand much like the appellations of France in the wine industry. The trademark is often included by the leather products manufacturer on its goods to show the excellence of quality that the consortium is known for.

Leather is one of the oldest industries in the Tuscan region. The formation of the consortium ensures that traditional skills and techniques survive the mass manufacturing craze that is prevalent today and that natural quality continues to be appreciated and enjoyed.