Japanese brand Comme des Garçons IPad cases are one of our favourite designs for IPad. Functionality and the best craftsmanship are two of the main features of these IPad covers. Once again, the very popular “Very Black” line comes on the scene; no gold zips or contrast branding… Just smooth black leather…
We have been following Estonian-born designer Oliver Ruuger for quite a while and we really like his view on craftsmanship and handmade products. The video below shows the making process of one of the creations in which ancient techniques are combined with the latest innovations in order to make a leather item.
Loewe’s latest Project is called “Best Hands of Spain”. In this Project, the Spanish luxury Brand wants to enhance Spain’s greatest craftsmen. The video below shows the hand-made aspect behind the manufacturing process of a luxury item, which underlines the fact that “Made in Spain” is linked to the best craftsmanship and constant pursuit of excellence.
This year, April is the month where leather goods manufacturers, fashion brands and designers will get updated with the latest trend and new products related to leather goods and accessories. We will meet you there !!!
LINEPELLE
Dates: 3th-5th April
Venue, City, Country: Bologna Fair Centre, Bologna, Italy
Exhibitors: Producers of finished leathers and components (leather goods and shoes)
Visitors: Importers and exporters, manufacturers worldwide
Note: #1 Fair for innovative materials and the latest trends in leather and other components for the leather goods industry
Web site: http://www.lineapelle-fair.it/en
FUTURMODA
Dates: 17th-18th April
Venue, City, Country: IFA (Institución Ferial Alicantina) Ctra Nacional Elche, Alicante, Spain
Exhibitors: Manufacturers and other professionals related to shoes and leather accessiries
Visitors: Professionals of fashion accessories
Note: .The Mediterranean city of Alicante becomes the centre for Spanish manufactures of shoes and leather goods that are looking for the latest innovations.
Web site: http://www.futurmoda.es
Not long ago, we started a collaboration with local supplier Pileus. Two young entrepeneurs, Alberto Moreno and Juan Manuel Rodríguez, who especialise in printing on almost all surfaces and, of course, on leather too. Printing on leather can be one of the easiest ways of customising and differentiating your collection from the rest. If you do not believe it, please see the photos below. We recently interviewed them for our blog.
Betangible: Why did you decide to start a business like this?
Pileus: We both have experience in visual communication and decided to put our experience in our own business. We wanted to offer the leather goods industry in Spain something new. We really like the idea of mixing tradition and the latest technology and we think that we are providing Spanish Leather Goods Manufacturers with a touch of 21st Century technology.
Betangible: Are you also offering this service internationally?
Pileus: Yes. Several international brands that are producing in this area are hiring our services. We are supplying the printed leather to the local leather goods manufacturers.
But it is not only leather, we are also printing on wood, canvas and other fabrics, raffia, PU materials, and many other surfaces…
Betangible: What types of prints and finish can we get on leather?
Pileus: Well, the choice isl amost infinite, it all has to do with creativity, but we can differenciate between three finish , regular print (natt or shine), a sort of colourless (transparent) varnish and high relief (3D) print.
The thechnology that we use does not apply an extra layer that makes the leather lose its natural characteristics. It is real print, just like if it were a print on a piece of paper. It is a high performance print.
In a previous post, we wrote and showed a short video about the process of cutting the leather using different techniques. This time we would like to tell you about the two main types of cutting dies that Spanish Leather Goods Manufacturers use in their Leather Workshops.
Regular Cutting Dies are intended for bulk production since they simplify the leather cutting process. It is recommended when there will be a consistent repetition of a product or a particular detail that will be present throughout the whole collection. The cost of regular cutting dies is not high, however getting the desired shapes and curves aer not always possible due to the semi-manual making process of these cutting dies.
Precision Cutting Dies are made by using CAD/CAM technology (the same technology used for making embossing stamps) It’s a 100% automatic and precise process. These cutting dies are more costly but it is the best option when the key word is “Precision”. By using these cutting dies you can get the exactly the desired diameter in a corner of a leather wallet or card holder, for example. Another very good feature of these cutting dies is that you can do several processes at the same time, such as cutting the leather and doing the creasing line on the credit cards compartments of a wallet, for example.
We are at the begining of the year and there are several interesting Trade Fairs to keep in mind. You can find some of them below.
MOSSHOES
Dates: 14th-17th January
Venue, City, Country: Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center, Moscow, Russia
Exhibitors: footwear, bags and accessories
Visitors: manufacturers, importers & exporters of shoes, leather goods and footwear accessories
Note: Mos Shoes-Russia is the country’s premier and most international exhibition for shoes and leather goods
Web site: http://www.mosshoes.com/
WHO´S NEXT
Dates: 19th – 22th January
Venue, City, Country: Paris Porte De Versailles, France
Exhibitors: manufacturers, producers, suppliers, designers of leather goods and luggage
Visitors: specialist retailers, importers, distributors, dealers and all professionals related to the leather industry
Note:This event will bring together leading brands and labels concerned with leather accessories
Web site: http://www.whosnext.com/
PURE LONDON
Dates: 10th-12th February
Venue, City, Country: London Olimpia, London, UK
Exhibitors: Designers and maufacturers of fashion garments and accessories.
Visitors: Boutique, Chain Stores. Department Stores Buyers, Fashion Licensees, Distributors, Importers / Wholesalers,
Note: Pure London is the most famous and popular fashion show of UK. This fashion show deals with all the latest trends in fashion.
Web site: http://www.purelondon.com/
LE CUIR A PARIS
Dates: 12th-14th February
Venue, City, Country: Paris Nord Villepinte Hall 4, Paris, France
Exhibitors: Manufacturers of leather and textiles
Visitors: Leather Goods Manufacturers, designers and shoe makers
Note: a fair dedicated to professionals only, where latest trends are seen in the leather and fur sector. There is also a textile selection tool for the key players in the fashion and design industry.
Web site: http://lecuiraparis.com/
Betangible and their group of leather goods manufacturers wish you Merry Christmas. We have selected some images taken in Spanish leather goods workshops and made the video below. We hope you enjoy it.
In one of our first posts we featured images of some pieces made using the “leather carving” technique. This technique has been studied, used and improved by a very well known craftsman and artist from Ubrique called Luis Domínguez Rojas.
Rojas (this is how he signs his pieces) has been making leather carved pieces for more than 60 years. We recently interviewed him at his small workshop and museum and he captivated us when he stated, “I am still learning about this technique”.
He is currently collaborating with a local leather supplier Curtidos Cabezas trying to transmit his know-how to local leather workers through training courses. He aims at transmitting his passion for this art to the next generation of leather artisans. Below you can find a short video filmed during our interview. Hope you enjoy it.
Today, we would like to show you an example of how luxury brands are fostering the idea of customisation and bespoke manufacturing . French luxury brand, Goyard , has produced a short video in which they emphasise the handcrafted aspect of their products at the same time that they focus on the idea of tailor-made products. We hope you enjoy the video.
