Leather dyeing, origin and history

Over the years the dyeing of leather has made giant strides.Many techniques have been developed for this result, able to give different effects and completely different shades. The dyes used can be both of plant origin such as, for example, some types of timber, or chemical and artificial dyes, such as so-called aniline dyes.

Nowadays there are numerous techniques for coloring leather (the colors of fashion, discover the harmony! , click here), processes that are normally carried out in indoor environments such as tanneries.

Coloring with spraying machinery

Among the techniques for coloring leather we certainly find the dye spray, a type of coloring that is obtained by using a specialized machine composed of guns that spray color on the skins by rotating. Spray dyeing is very practical especially because it allows you to achieve a satisfactory result in a short time, and especially by minimizing the use of labor. 

Bottal colouration

The bottal dyeing is one of the most known and used. This practice involves immersing the leathers to be dyed inside containers with water and a preset color solution .Subsequently, the containers are heated until the liquid inside them does not reach the temperature of about 50 /60 degrees, operation which also takes place thanks to the circulatory movement of the container.

Pad colouring on a table or on a brush

The table-top swab dyeing technique is mainly used for leather that has been worked and tanned with alum or tannin. A convex table made of sheet copper is used to implement this procedure. On this surface, a specialized technician stretches one skin at a time, and using a brush of horsehair previously inserted in the dye, colors the skin. This procedure, of course, is one of the longest, both for the process itself and for the workforce employed.

Dyes using natural dyes

As we have already said, coloring leather is an operation that can also take place following a road of the whole, or almost, natural, using for example materials such as camping wood, a dark red material. This element is mainly produced in areas such as the Antilles and Latin America, but can also be found in Spain, in Santo Domingo, Martinique, England, Guadeloupe, Honduras and Haiti. 

In addition to this material, there are also other types of woods that can be used as natural dyes, such as sandalwood or red wood, or even stem wood, which gives the leather a reddish yellow color.

Florence Leather Market, has been working in the leather sector for years, and for the creation of its products, uses high quality materials, tanned, processed and dyed in Italy,using state-of-the-art, sustainable and environmentally friendly techniques. These features make all the accessories of Florence Leather Market impeccable, original and able to last in time.

Come and discover our collection of leather accessories, from bags, wallets, in different colors and models, you will surely find what is right for you.

The Florentine leather is known around the world as a guarantee of good quality and tradition Made in Italy.

How did the craft of leatherworking come about?

Origins

The art of this craft dates back to 1200 with headquarters in Pisa for the best tanneries in the area. Here, they had a great availability of hides and raw materials supplied by Sardinia and Spain where the greatest cattlemen of the time resided.

On October 9th 1406 the Florentine citizens decided to move towards the birthplace of the tannery, Pisa, to conquer the city and acquire the trade. By doing so, the richest and noblest families of Florence decided to invest on the tanning artisans by moving the production to their city.

Since the beginning, the production of leather was established near the Arno river between Piazza Santa Croce and Piazza Signoria, creating the District of Santa Croce which was and still is the heart of craftsmanship.

The proximity to the river Arno was fundamental for the supply of leather and industrial development, to ensure an optimal tanning process thanks to the amount of water and the transport of goods.

Leather goods managed to remain, despite market crises, always a sector in great expansion ensuring jobs to more than 20 municipalities in Tuscany.

An incredible fact for those times!

Currently how important is it?

According to some statistical data the Tuscan leather industry indicates the main manufacturing sector in Italy, always up-to-date with market trends by responding to consumer needs with innovation, quality and historical custom.

In 2019 for example, the Tuscan leather industry went from 6 to 8 billion in exports, marking a 33% increase in overall turnover! Well, that’s not all!

Some of the biggest international brands reside on the province of Florence, taking advantage of the historical reality, the tradition of craft handed down and the best leathers around.

Florence Leather Market Ethics

What Florence teaches about the art and nobility of manufacturing, represents the general ethos of our company Florence Leather Market, which selects and produces with the most careful attention to detail.

The thing that distinguishes us is the constant research of market and target customers to remain always relevant with our products and satisfy our consumer.

If you like leave a comment on this article and share with as many people as possible, leather lovers like us, our content.

Also read our latest article on the bag models that made history here, and here the most desired and iconic ones in the world!

The bag, the feminine accessory par excellence

The bag represents the icon of femininity, is an accessory that no woman can do without, in fact, in addition to being a way to complete their outfits is also a useful and functional container to always bring with you necessary objects such as your smartphone, wallet or keys.

In the world there are thousands of bags from the largest to the smallest, from the most particular shape to the most linear, an infinity able to satisfy the tastes of all women.

Throughout history, numerous models of this accessory have been made, from the clutch, to the shopping bag, to the shoulder bag, or the shoulder bags, all produced with different materials, such as leather, canvas and many others.

Let’s see together the bags that have made the history of fashion (discover also the most desired bags in the world, click here).

Fend with his Peekaboo

Let’s start with a bang! This bag originated in 2009, and immediately entered the heart of everyone especially for its comfort and versatility, combined with the unique elegance of the brand. The bag consists of a handle and two compartments, has been reproduced in several variations and colors depending on the season of release.

Salvatore Ferragamo with the W Bag

This accessory was specially made around the 70s by Fiamma Ferragamo in honor of his mother Wanda. The bag is an accessory for the day, minimal conforming simple but always very chic.

Fendi with the Baguette

The model Baguette, (name that derives, of course, from the type of bread typical French, because the accessory reminds a lot of the shape) was born in 1997, and has been loved by all since the beginning, both for its practicality and for the versatility with which it can be combined with different outfits.

Yves Saint Laurent and Mombasa

Tom Ford gives birth in 2001 this bag, unique in its original and extremely beautiful. Characterized by deer handle, the bag combines elegance and glamour in a single accessory.

Gucci with his Jackie

The Jackie bag represents the bag with a capital B. From the name it is immediately understood that in its realization the Gucci brand was inspired by the personality bearer of style and elegance of Jaqueline Kennedy, who gave the go-ahead for the rise of this bag in the fashion world.

Balenciaga and its City

In 2003 this bag was born, coordinated with fringed studs and a small mirror included. The city has a rather square shape, and you can wear it in several different contexts, to go and give a touch of glamour to your outfits.

Bottega Veneta with Knot

The Knot is the icon of the clutch and still represents one of the most sold bags of the Bottega Veneta brand. The bag is extremely classy and is distinguished by the famous weave of the manufacturer.

Yves Saint Laurent and his Muse

Muse sees the light in 2006, and although it looks very simple and minimal It is actually made up of 40 parts carefully joined together by the artisans of the house.

The wallet is one of the daily accessories that we use and show off the most, just think every time we need to display a document or exchange money and then pull out of the bag, or pocket, our little chest.

For many, the wallet is no longer just a utility accessory, but a real element of clothing and for this reason much attention is paid to its characteristics during the choice of purchase.

Features

To choose a good quality portfolio, there are some basic rules or characteristics, which you need to consider. Such as:

– Use Materials;

– Size and shape;

– Efficiency and functionality;

– Closure;

– Price.

For some, color is also fundamental, but we have decided to list only these types of characteristics because they are the fundamental basis on which we choose and make our products.

Use Materials

The materials used for the realization of a wallet tend to start from the leather tanned in Italy and selected by our best technicians.

The leather can be of different types, for those who do not want to give up the luxury and look for an accessory of pure elegance directs its choice on a python or crocodile skin, to give a timeless and timeless style to their outfit in detail.

Size and shape

Among the various proposals of Florence Leather Market we have about 89 products, one different from the other in shape and size.

Generally, men’s wallets are smaller and thinner, just for the practical use of inserting it in the pocket. Very often, in fact, the wallet accessory is replaced with card holders, see here an example.

Some models, however, for women are similar to small clutches, they are not able to store documents and money, but also with compartments to insert keys or cell phone. For those who love to travel and move lightly, see here.

Functionality

As already anticipated for the wallet-purse for women, in an accessory as indispensable as the wallet or purse, it is right to consider its functionality not only aesthetic.

The wallet should contain zippers or compartments capable of holding without, crinkling and folding documents and passport, if any.

A very practical example can be found here with our Boris, in pure leather worked in a vintage way to give a touch of class to the object.

Closure

As for the closure of the wallet, it is good to remember that the men’s accessory tends to fold on itself precisely for the reason of practicality, as well as for a sporty and versatile style.

On the contrary, the women’s wallet can be enriched with zippers, zippers, elastics and much more capable of giving practicality and speed in closing and opening.

Price

Last, but not least, is the price.

Florence Leather Market bases its company policy on the optimal quality-price ratio. There is a 99% satisfaction guarantee about this last point because the quality of workmanship and materials is incredible, in addition to the immensity of offers that we daily propose and offer as a basis for purchase.

We invite you to look at our virtual showcase and fall in love with our most varied products, from bags to wallets and purses.

Read also here a curiosity about the type of Messenger Bag, its name and history.