A material that’s been around since the start of recorded history! Unlike chrome tanned leather (the leather used in almost all products today) vegetable tanned leather is ethically produced and has far smaller environmental impact. In it’s processing, tree bark is the only thing used to turn an animal hide into leather!

I have fallen in love with this material through lots of research this semester. It’s incredibly durable and has been used so much in history because of this. A vegetable tanned leather product can be used for lifetimes! And in a time where the lifespan of products are so short, this material feels incredibly refreshing. 

The stool is supposed to be used to put on your shoes, which would likely be made from chrome tanned leather, to show the differences between the two materials. The tote was intended to be used daily to show off how vegetable tanned leather changes as it ages. The planter was used to showcase the biodegradability  of vegetable tanned leather. This planter could be added to the ground and it would degrade without leaching toxins.

thanks!

-p