Pushing the envelope by elevating practical purchases
With Leatherology's exceptional craftsmanship
A few months ago, I discovered the brand Leatherology, which makes incredibly high-quality goods for everyday use. This “le find” moment occurred while I was in the market for a laptop case. Knowing that I would be taking my computer to business meetings, networking events, and co-working spaces, I wanted the case to look chic - almost like a handbag or clutch - while still withstanding daily use and effectively protecting my Mac.
I purchased Leatherology’s Laptop Envelope Sleeve in the black premium structured leather option and it is stunning. The premium leather feels scratch proof - almost like Saffiano, but with more of a pebbled vs. cross-hatched design as well as a matte finish. I opted not to get personalization because I’m less into that for myself, but I was drawn to the trapunto option that raises the leather. I’ve never seen this type of personalization and it feels very elevated.
The envelope sleeve comes in a beautiful box so the entire package makes for an exceptional and thoughtful gift.
About the Founders
Leatherology is a direct-to-consumer brand that was co-founded by Rae Liu and her brother David (previously consulting & Google) who sought to develop well-crafted, timeless leather goods at more affordable price points. The company was started in their hometown of Dallas, TX.
Early in Rae’s career, she worked in handbag and footwear production in NYC for Alexander Wang and more boutique brands. As part of her role, she was directly responsible for overseeing exactly how everything was manufactured, ensuring quality and craftsmanship by directly liaising with different factories abroad. Her experience gave her a powerful skillset to leverage when starting Leatherology. One of the ways in which she wanted to differentiate her approach to creating leather goods relative to her time in NYC was to focus on designs that would be season-less and not trendy so that consumers could feel that everything they purchased from Leatherology was perfect for everyday. This emphasis reflects Rae’s personal style as well, where she embraces classic pieces that can be worn in many different contexts.
One of the other concepts core to Leatherology is personalization. Across the product assortment, three different types of personalization are offered. I find two of them to be particularly unique relative to what’s on the market.
As the business has scaled, Rae has made it a point to build a diverse “company full of fellow female entrepreneurs, mothers, and leaders.” She emphasizes this in her interviews and on the Leatherology website. Rae and David have also built a vertically-integrated business which allows them to have more control over quality and minimize waste as much as possible. The countless 5-star reviews across their website are a testament to the fact that their approach is certainly working.
Happy discovering.
x jz
Images | 1 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me | 2 | Leatherology | 3 | DMagazine | 4 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me
Note: I do not get paid for nor make money off of this post. All opinions are my own.