Some materials speak to us on a deeper level — through touch, scent, texture, and presence. Leather is one of them. Although used for centuries, we’re witnessing a quiet shift: leather is taking on a new role in architecture and interior design, no longer just a decorative accent, but a genuine design element.

MARAI garments and belts are made in a small family-run workshop in Oporto, Portugal. The workshop is led by a brother-sister team who bring years of expertise to their craft – supported by two seamstresses and an elderly gentleman in charge of cutting.

Our garment leather is what's known as semi-aniline leather. This means it receives a light pigmentation – a thin layer of color that protects the leather without covering its natural surface. The grain remains largely untreated, and the pores stay open.

I only truly understood that leather is not just leather when I began working more deeply with the material. When someone says “leather,” it can mean many different things – from heavy, vegetable-tanned saddle leather to fine lamb nappa used for jackets. 

After tanning, the leather is stabilised, but it still goes through several steps before it gets its final characteristics. Each of these steps has a major influence on how flexible and resistant the leather becomes.

Tanning is THE essential step in leather production. It stabilizes the hide, protecting it from decay and transforming it into a durable, long-lasting material. Since the Stone Age, humans have used various methods to preserve animal hides ...

Before a raw hide can be turned into durable leather, it must be preserved – because as soon as the hide is removed from the animal, the natural decomposition process begins. Within a day, it starts to break down if not properly preserved. Bacteria attack the tissue, leading to rot damage ...

An animal's hide reflects its life - and that's what defines our leather. Animals that grow slowly in a natural environment develop a firmer, denser hide structure. In contrast, rapid growth on intensive feedlots can result in a looser fibre structure.

A few weeks ago, I was out and about again. Together with my favourite photographer Angelika and my Fibershed DACH intern Marcia, I visited a farm in the Lucerne region. On Fritz and Andrea's organic farm live around 40 cows and cattle, 20 sheep, chickens and a few cats.

Dear all - I thought it was time to introduce myself here again. Most of you know my work, some of you know my face - and perhaps already have an idea of my background.

Vegetable-tanned leather is known for its light, brownish color, which can vary depending on the tanning mixture used. The different plant extracts give the leather different characteristics, including different color nuances.

Sheep farming has a long tradition in Switzerland, especially in the Alps and on the southern side of the Alps. If you hike in the Alps today, you will most likely come across a flock of sheep that not only shapes the landscape, but also fulfils important tasks.

For several years now, Appenzeller Gurt has been using regional leather for a large part of their products. This spring, I chatted with Caspar, the founder of Appenzeller Gurt, about topics such as on-farm slaughter, ecological tanning and patina.

Last week I visited Buure Metzg in Gstaad and toured various farms with the managing director. It was a wonderful trip at 1500 meters above sea level, during which I learned a lot ...

Life is a journey where every moment leaves its mark. Our history evolves like genuine natural leather, which breathes like our skin. Through daily use and experience, it acquires a captivating patina...

We have been working with Gut&Bösel, a family business one hour east of Berlin, for around two years. On 3000 hectares, the dedicated team at the agricultural, forestry and research company researches and develops ...

We often come across the misconception that animals are bred and killed specifically for leather. This is simply not true and we often wonder where this misinformation comes from. In reality, farmers receive no compensation for the hides of their animals...

The annual birth rate plays a crucial role in the production of goat's milk. Goats must give birth regularly in order to produce milk. But there is an unpleasant reality to this practice.

Magdalena Schaffrin and Alicia's interview was published today on VORN. We talked about the ills of the global leather industry and why we see the future in regional, regenerative leather production and not in the innovation of "vegan" artificial leather.