LEATHER ALTERNATIVES: A ‘FASHIONABLE' CONCEPT?

Luxurious leathers continue to be the material of choice not just for commercial and residential furniture but also for automotive, aviation and marine applications as well.

- Annou Iyer

Leather is probably one of the oldest materials used by mankind. Even before humanity spun yarns, invented fabrics, and then evolved to wearing garments, leather was the first material that human race found to drape around our skin. From early man to the modern-day, leather has undoubtedly played a crucial part in the development of civilisation.

Leather’s Evolution

As use of leather and leathercraft survived eras of Ancient Rome, Dark ages, Vikings, Middle Ages, Renaissance, the era of Enlightenment, and then the Industrial Revolution, the Victorian Age, moving to the Progressive era of 1900s and now the Modern times from 1950 till date. With the spread of industrialisation and invention of machineries, came the demand for new kinds of leathers, supple leathers, softer leathers, and leathers with fashionable appearances. This demand saw the rise of innovation in tanning facilities and new chemical developments for sophisticated processing methods that add to the aesthetics of leather, making it a high-value luxury item. Luxurious leathers continue to be the material of choice not just for commercial and residential furniture but also for automotive, aviation and marine applications as well.

Leather has seen prosperity and the global marketplaces keep surging with the demand. Exports and imports are always on the rise for leather.