Definition of

Leather goods

Craft

Leather goods consist of the production of leather products.

The manufacture of leather goods is known as leather goods . The term also refers to the set of products that are made with this material.

For example: “On the other block they opened a leather goods store” , “My uncle worked his entire life in the leather goods industry” , “I am fascinated by bags, belts and everything that has to do with leather goods” .

The idea of ​​leather goods comes from Moroccan . This term, in turn, refers to a shiny leather also called tafilete .

Its etymological origin is in the French maroquin or maroc , which we can translate as Moroccan or Morocco , precisely because the Moroccans used to be the most skilled workers of embossed leather. Over the centuries, things have changed, and today there are experts in various parts of the world who use different techniques and tools than in the past. However, the words to designate this activity and its professionals remain the same.

Leather goods concept

To understand what leather goods is, you must first be clear about the notion of leather. This is the name given to the skin that received a treatment through tanning : that is, a process that allows the skin of the dead animal to be transformed into a material ready for use in multiple ways.

Already in the time of the Roman Empire , leather, which is flexible and resistant, was manipulated. With it you can make a large number of products .

Different stages and industries

Leather goods, in short, are linked to other industries and activities. In the first agricultural stage, the raising of animals appears, which are then sent to the slaughterhouse. In the tannery or tannery , the skins are worked to produce leather ready for handling.

Only then does leather goods appear to convert that leather into bags , wallets , wallets , belts , shoes , pants and many other products.

Briefcase

Bags are popular leather goods products.

Applications of leather goods

As mentioned above, one of the most common applications of leather goods is the manufacture of clothing and accessories: coats , pants, belts, hats, bags and shoes, among other products. Leather and clothing have gone hand in hand for a long time. So much so that some believe that it was the first raw material used for this purpose.

Sexual fetishism with leather, on the other hand, appeals to various leather goods creations. There are leather accessories and clothing developed for intimate use.

Although it is not common today, leather goods also served for the construction of transportable shops and small boats, such as canoes, as well as doors and flexible covers.

In the military field it also had an important presence in the production of light armor, weapon covers and shields, especially until firearms reached a high level of performance. Regarding tackle and saddles for war horses, the use of leather continued until the first half of the 20th century.

Leather is also used in making tools for different purposes. For example, there are webbing, straps and ropes, as well as harnesses that are made with this material.

Exploitation of living beings

Although leatherwork is considered a craft and an art that has been passed down from generation to generation since time immemorial, for many it is unacceptable because it is based on the exploitation of other living beings .

The animals from which the leather is extracted are subjected to lives that no human being would like to have, mainly because they are deprived of their freedom, one of the most precious treasures for us. Animal rights activists buy products made with synthetic materials that do not cause the suffering of any animals in the manufacturing process.