Does sustainability need a certificate?
We get asked this question a lot. Many people think that only those with a seal are truly sustainable. But we see it differently – and we say very clearly: Not necessarily. For us, sustainability starts with transparency. In this blog post, we take a look at certificates and their meaning.

What makes leather sustainable? How is it produced, and how can we work with it responsibly?
In our workshops, we focus on one thing: genuine transparency. In a time when terms like “genuine leather” or “sustainable” are often used loosely, we believe that true understanding is key. Only those who know where leather comes from and how it’s processed can make informed choices, whether as consumers, designers, or businesses.

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.

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.