Veg Tan Leather and Product Care

Edie Kahula Pereira brand aesthetic is handcrafted, somewhat quirky, and always wabi sabi.

What is wabi sabi?

According to Wikipedia, wabi sabi is in traditional Japanese aesthetics, a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. Sometimes described as beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete". As a brand and product, Edie Kahula Pereira (aka Specialty Dry Goods) celebrates this beauty of imperfection.

Our aesthetic is handcrafted, somewhat quirky and always wabi sabi. Wabi Sabi is not only a design characteristic. It is also my design language. I leave my personal handprint on every single bag I make. What that handprint is is never planned. Each bag has its own personality. 

Wabi Sabi as a design element.

Leather has natural irregularities of surface and variations in grain. These distressed surfaces are inherent to a/the hide. No leather is close to being perfect or uniform in its surface appearance. I select and purchase hides for these natural irregularities because I like the added texture to the visual appearance and the tactile quality of the bag. Ultimately, each design has its best type of leather and color. Not meant to be woo woo but each design tells me which leathers it wants to be made in. 

Wabi Sabi as a Design Language-- The leather we use.

All leather used is made from cowhide. Leather is a natural product with its unique markings and grainy texture. Because of this, there will be some sort of variation in the leather used for Edie Kahula Pereira leather products. Dyed leathers will most likely have a (slight) variation in color.

All materials used to make Edie Kahula Pereira products are cut by hand using a rotary cutter, scissors, and ruler. Other tools used-- awl, leather punch, pins and needles, and sewing machine. All dimensions noted are to be considered approximate and not exact (because a human is doing the work, not a machine).

Important notes on Vegetable Tanned leather: Raw natural cow hide vs Dyed leather.

Veg-tan leather is a raw cowhide that is processed (tanned) using organic materials such as tree bark and other types of plant-based substances. Veg tan leather in its natural form is in a sense nude and susceptible to your environment. It is not dyed. If you get caught in the rain, rain spots will show. Your hand and body oils contribute to its patina (oxidizing of leather surface, everyday use and aging). Exposure to light and sun over time will darken the tone of the leather as will applying leather conditioner and repellent. Spills and spots do not wipe off instead they are absorbed by the leather and contribute to the rich caramel patina of your life. This happens in the leathers own time frame. It happens when it happens.

The blush tone color of the bag you purchased will begin to darken almost immediately. Expect that its original color will not stay the same. If you are bothered by spots, a surface color (patina) that will continue to darken and other character building marks and stains, veg tan leather might not for you. That said, veg-tan leather is my favorite leather. Its patina is like the living canvas of your life's adventures, each spot a memory.

CARE for your leather bag:
Our leather bags live your life with you. We physically engage with our bags many times a day. Get to know your leather bag.  Feel its texture (literally) with your hands. Leather softens over time and with use. Leather will also dry and crack overtime if not cared for. When you take the time to know your leather bag you will understand when it tells you it needs conditioning. There is a tactile difference between soft and dry. Be aware around the 6 month mark to look at and feel your bag for dryness, stiffness and dulling of color. 

Two care suggestions:

  • Take your bag to a reputable shoe repair to have your bag conditioned and/or

Feel free to do your own research to find a product that works for you and your bag. 

Thank you for your care of your leather bag.