Bottega Veneta is probably the most famous leather house associated with weaving, with its famed ‘intrecciato’ method – though these entangled techniques can also be associated with indigenous cultures such as pre-Columbian civilisations in Mexico, which gave us the still-popular huarache sandal.
Real Leather. Stay Different. commissioned a one-of-a-kind handbag made of leather and bamboo using centuries old weaving techniques. The bag and master craftsman were feature here.
Woven leather is often a summer staple, and while you won’t be able to get your hands on our leather-bamboo bag, this season has seen a number of brands embrace texture with their accessories – from bags to footwear and plenty of pieces in between. Here are our picks…
This mid-luxury brand is having something of a moment with its signature handbags, which are hand-crafted in vegetable-dyed leather and give a modern take on the traditional basket bag. The tote bags in particular are having a moment with fashion creators on TikTok, who are styling them with relaxed summer linens.
Fisherman sandals remain popular this season, and Tod’s versions offer just enough chunk and some subtle(ish) luxury branding that’s bound to appeal to those in the know. A more affordable iteration of The Row’s cult sandals, they’re made in buttery calf leather that’s artfully criss-crossed.
Over on the high street, Arket is offering square-soled woven slides made with soft, chrome-free tanned leather (available in sophisticated tan or black). Bottega on a budget.
Quiet luxury label Toteme is also embracing woven textures with its braided leather belt featuring the brand’s signature oval buckle. The wraparound is available in both a slim and wide design, though we reckon the understated slim style is going to be popular with those that love the minimal aesthetic.
Indie brand Le Monde Beryl’s classic Mary Jane pumps are having a moment right now, but don’t overlook its summery woven styles, crafted with luxe knotted goatskin. Available in a mule or a flat pump, and soon to be the signature MJs, if this recent Instagram sneak peek is anything to go by.
At Bottega’s Spring/Summer 2023 show, roomier, more practical handbags were certainly in favour – and the Andiamo certainly offers that. Carried by the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jacob Elordi and Michelle Yeoh, it’s the if-you-know-you-know ‘it’ bag, made in Bottega’s signature intrecciato lambskin, of course.
Bottega aside, other high fashion houses are experimenting with new leather textures – Loewe, famous for its woven raffia basket bags, has reimagined some classic shapes in plaited lambskin. Inspired by Galician artisan Álvaro Leiro’s reed basket weaving technique, the fringed bag features criss-cross weaving and the brand’s classic logo stamp in leather. We can expect more leather basket bags in collaboration with Leiro in future seasons.
Josslyn Shi from California College of Art has been crowned Overall Winner of the Real Leather. Stay Different. International Student Design Competition at a glittering final event held at the U.S. Embassy in London.
Ever wondered, like us, how they’re made? Sometimes a peek behind the curtain makes us appreciate the things we love even more.
Meet 24 year old Yu ChiKit, this year's gold winner of the Student Design competition: Accessory Category. Don't forget to watch the video!
Here’s our list of the waviest trainers around this April – exclusive collabs, new editions, and celeb-designed one-off’s – we’ve searched far-and-wide and the list has it all.
Good for workers, good for the planet and good for your feet. There are many ways to calculate value—this brand factors in the planet and employees as much as the consumer.
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