5 emerging brands specialized in leather Between upcycling and limited releases

Lightweight, durable, breathable and malleable: although ethical and environmental issues have discouraged its use over the years, there is no material as adaptable as leather. The global market for leather goods is estimated at $407.92 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow 6.9% annually from 2022 to 2030. Used since the Palaeolithic for the manufacture of footwear and accessories, it was actually the Second World War that drew attention to the material's exceptional qualities, through padded leather bomber jackets that were intended to be purely functional but soon became the object of mass desire because of their distinctive style. A staunch ally of bikers, a symbol of rock, of pushing boundaries and of a youth that from the 1980s onwards chose leather jackets and trousers to affirm a lifestyle on the edge of legality. Leather has not stopped transmitting meanings and adapting in design to changing generations. Emerging brands have also given it their own interpretation through limited editions and upcycling, combining the quality of leather with sustainable production rhythms.

No Faith Studio

@gu_de, a Korean handbag brand distributed in Europe by Net-a-porter, was founded by designer Ji Hye Koo with the aim of appealing to «a new and sophisticated type of Korean consumer». Production takes place in South Korea, which allows Koo to offer quality products at a moderate price. The bags - made of leather in bold colours, with crocodile or lizard patterns - cost between $400 and $700 and are inspired by the structured lines of the 1970s, with reduced proportions and detachable and interchangeable shoulder straps.

sssilk666

Available in Italy on megarchivio, Alice Stephenson's brand combines sustainability and sensuality through a completely innovative approach. A decadent craftsmanship, self-taught after a degree in art history in 2019, born from a hobby cultivated for fun that soon materialized into small collections. The DIY corsets are made of suede or shiny leather, safety pins, sensual cut-outs and jewellery reinterpreted with flair: old pearl necklaces become integral parts of the garments.