Why do we like leather products?

Leather products are like ‘guilty pleasures’. Because our conscience is the greatest perpetrator of us all and the concern here has to do with ‘morality’. Because some of the finest leather products come from the most horrendous and unimaginable of sources. Automakers such as BMW, Mercedez-Benz use Nappa leather upholstery on their luxury vehicles. And they for the most part come from the skins of young or unborn sheep, lambs, goats.

Yet among all these slaps and kicks of conscience leather products are always the first hand-picked choice. Why do leather products hence give out the money vibe, an aspect only prompting more the monetary society? Because the reality with leather products has more to do with it being just a fabric, or a by product of the meat industry. Leather is ‘status’, it is the ‘king of fabrics’, the mark of luxury and high class. When one wears leather, there is every chance they are wearing history because of their durability. Because with leather there is every chance the rugged boots or the aviator jacket has survived the World War-II.

In reply to the morality concern many argue that leather is a natural product better worn than discarded. If their opinion of the natural product is so strong we wonder why other natural products such as cotton, wool, bamboo do not receive the some status as leather products do? Why do leather accounts for an upward 10% of a cow’s potential worth? Why don’t international brands such as Micheal Kors, Gucci, Prada are not known for cotton then they are known for their leather?

Utilising dried animal hides have been in existence since the exiting of time. It was first recognised in the prehistoric times dating back to t0 1300BC when men started appreciating animal skins as more than just a by-product. Since then techniques to soften and preserve the skin with traditional methods were practised. We now have an advanced preservation method known as the chrome tanning using chromium. Leather industry is hence on a constant rise.

Along with the status symbol they are used for all purposes such as vehicles seats, steering wheels, dining chairs, fashion etc. It maybe does support the claim that leather products are flexible, durable and fashionable. What will even make it more fashionable is if the claims of it being a by product of the meat industry were absolutely all true.