Introduction

Have you ever been in the market to shop for leather goods, and it becomes overwhelming to choose the brand to go for simply because there are varieties of brands to choose from? You begin to wonder why the leather market is so saturated and which ones have the best products. 

Leather goods manufacturing started when the early man realized he could use animal skin for food and make body coverings.

As man evolved and learned that animal skin could be processed and used to make various products, the leather market industry became saturated with so many people going into leather goods making. 

Due to the high cost of processing these animal skin into fine desired products, you’ll notice that leather goods are usually expensive. However, people do not mind the price as long as they are confident they get good quality products.

Leather comes in different types and grades depending on the processing of the animal skin. Several factors usually affect the quality of the hide. Factors like the breed of the animal, the nutrition, the climate condition where they breed the animal, and the amount of exercise the animal has contribute to the quality of the animal hide.

A variety of brands have now gone into manufacturing leather goods. This has led to the market being infiltrated with substandard leather goods. However, these substandard leather goods get sold for the same price as the original, and if I have to pay so much for something, I expect to get the best from it. To help you get the best, we have compiled a list of the best leather goods manufacturers around the globe.

• History- How Manufacturing Of Leather Goods Started
• Advantages Of Using Leather Goods
• List Of The Best Leather Goods Manufacturers

History- How Manufacturing Of Leather Goods Started

The early man began to use animal skin for clothing and shelter as early as 1300 BC. As man evolved and societies grew, he found ways of using leather to produce various things ranging from footwear, armors, furniture coverings, bags, writing surfaces, and jewelry.

Now, you can produce leather goods in mass for export and sales anywhere around the world. Over time, as man realized the advantages of leather over other materials, its demand began to increase. Synthetic leather is becoming as popular to meet the growing demand. 

Advantages of Using Leather Goods

There are so many reasons why the demand for leather goods continues to rise. Below are some of the reasons why leather continues to trend in the market.

Durability

One of the reasons leather is popular today is because of its durability. Leather has a reputation of being able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage more than other synthetic materials. Good leather lasts long.

Maintainability and Repairability

Usually, leather requires minimal effort to maintain as well as to repair. Leather wears, for example, requires little resources for laundry. 

Recycling

With growing concern about climate change, leather is one of those materials that are easy to recycle. Leather is biodegradable as well.

Versatility

You can use leather to make a variety of products such as furniture, clothing, and footwear. There’s almost no limit to its uses.

Breathability

There’s a widespread belief that leather breathes. This is because it allows the passage of air easily. When worn as clothing, it allows for easy regulation of the body’s temperature. It naturally absorbs and holds moisture away from the skin until it finally evaporates into the atmosphere.

It is naturally comfortable to wear as clothing and footwear.

Beautiful

Leather is naturally beautiful. Its beauty improves with age. Leather-good manufacturers usually put in a lot of effort to ensure they bring out its best qualities.

Luxurious

Leather has a reputation for its quality, which is why it is the preferred choice for the elites in any community. 

List of the best Leather Goods Manufacturers

Hermes International

Theirry Hermes founded Hermes International in 1837. It gained popularity for the manufacturing of saddlery using leather for the European noblemen. The company has its headquarters in France and specializes in designing, manufacturing, and marketing luxury goods like bags, belts, women’s and men’s clothing, customized jewelry, hats, and shoes. 

Over time, this company has grown and has factories in other parts like Europe, Asia, and America. However, this doesn’t limit access to its products as it has vendors all over the world. No matter what part of the world you’re in, if you are interested in getting any of Hermes’ goods, they are just within your reach.

Christian Dior

If you’re into fashion, you must have come across the brand called Christian Dior. Christian Dior SE, popularly known as Dior, became famous in France after world war II for one of his famous designs, and since then, the brand has maintained its shine. 

It was founded by Christian Dior, a French fashion designer, in 1946. It is currently under the management and control of a French businessman, Bernard Arnault. 

This brand specializes in the production of leather shoes and clothes. But, you can only buy their goods in a Dior store. However, they have numerous stores around the world, which makes access to their products more accessible.

Kering

Kering is a world-class luxury group located in Paris. It was formerly known as PARIS PPR until they recently changed it due to rebranding. 

The company was founded in 1963 as a timbre trading business. It gained popularity in 2001 when it acquired the Gucci group.

Aside from owning Gucci, this company also owns some brands specialized in designing, producing, and selling leather goods. 

The brands owned by Kering include Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, Brioni, Boucheron, Ulysse Nardin.

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

Unlike the first three leather goods manufacturers mentioned above, Compagnie Financiere Richemont was founded in South Africa by a South African businessman Antonn Rubert in 1940. However, its headquarters is now based in Switzerland. 

The company specializes in the production and sales of Jewellery, watches, leather goods, clothing, firearms, belts, accessories. 

Like Kering, this company owns a couple of brands like Van Cleef, Roger Dubius, Baume and Mercier, Buccellati, Piaget, Montblanc to mention a few.

When next you’re in the market for a good quality leather goods manufacturer, be sure to check these brands.

Moncler

Moncler was founded by René Ramillion and André Vincent in 1952 in France. The name “Moncler” is gotten by abbreviating Monestier-de-Clermont, an Alpine town near Grenoble.

The brand became famous for its ski wear. However, over time, it became appreciated for the quality of products it produced.

One of the company’s most significant achievements was in 1954 when they selected the Moncler quilted jackets to furnish the Italian expedition held at K2, the second-highest mountain on earth. Moncler later became the official supplier. The French National Downhill Skiing team.

Prada

Prada was founded in 1913 by Mario Prada and his brother Martino Prada. The company was founded as a leather goods shop in Milan, Italy. Initially, when the company started, it only sold animal goods and imported steamer trunks and handbags. It began to specialize in leather handbags, travel accessories, shoes, and fashion accessories as it progressed.

Prada has expanded and has stores all over the world, which makes access to their products easy. Therefore if you’re in the market for leather bags and shoes, this is a brand you should consider.

Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvador Ferragamo was founded in Italy in 1928. The founder, Salvador, started the company to make shoes for movie stars and films but later expanded and now specializes in shoes, leather goods, swiss-made timepieces, and ready-to-wear women and men clothes.  

The company has its branches situated in different parts of the world, with its headquarters in Florence, Italy.

Bata India

Bata India is a luxury leather goods manufacturer. It was founded in the town of Zlín, which is now known as the Czech Republic. Tomás Batá was the founder of the company. It started as a family business, but after world war II, it nationalized its factories in socialist states while its branches in the capitalist state remained family-owned. 

Bata India specializes in making leather shoes and is currently the world’s leading shoemaker by volume.

LVMH

Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, abbreviated as LVMH, is a French-based multinational corporation specializing in luxury goods and has its headquarters in France. 

This company has about 60 subsidiaries which it controls, and each of these subsidiaries manages a small number of prestigious brands.

LVMH has brands like Givenchy, Kenzo, Loro Piana, Princess Yachts, Marc Jacobs, Loewe, and Bulgari.

Arezzo Industria E Commercio

Arezzo Industria E Commercio is a Brazil-based company that designs, manufactures, and distributes women’s footwear, bags and accessories. 

Conclusion

There are already many leather goods manufacturers in the market today, and with time there are tendencies that the number of leather goods manufacturers will increase. This is because of the rise in demand for leather goods. Also, leather is one thing that is always in Vogue.

It is essential that when buying anything made from leather, you’re getting the best of it, considering how pricey leather goods can be.