LEATHER IS CHOSEN, NOT JUST BOUGHT. WE VISIT THE TANNERIES OURSELVES. WE HANDLE THE HIDES, WE ASK WHERE THEY COME FROM, AND WE WALK AWAY FROM WHAT DOES NOT MEET THE MARK. NOTHING ENTERS AN 1812 SNEAKER WITHOUT BEING SEEN AND CHOSEN FIRST.
WE WORK WITH THE FINEST TANNERIES IN EUROPE, IN ITALY, ENGLAND AND FRANCE. C.F. STEAD IN LEEDS, LEATHER WORKING GROUP CERTIFIED SINCE 2007 AND AUDITED EVERY EIGHTEEN MONTHS. LA BIESSEUNO IN ITALY, CERTIFIED TO ISO 14001 AND THE LEATHER WORKING GROUP. A AND A CRACK IN NORTHAMPTON, OUR TANNERY SUPPLY PARTNER, WHOSE WHOLE TRADE IS PROVENANCE, TRANSPARENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY.
WE USE ONLY LEATHER THAT EXCEEDS THE LEATHER WORKING GROUP STANDARD, WHICH RATES TANNERIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND TRACEABILITY. WE BEGIN THERE AND ASK FOR MORE. EVERY CERTIFICATION IS FORMAL AND OPEN TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO CHECK IT.
BEYOND THAT WE HOLD OUR OWN BAR. WE CALL IT MASTER GRADE. IT IS OUR INTERNAL STANDARD FOR LEATHER GOOD ENOUGH TO CARRY A MADE IN ENGLAND SNEAKER. ON EVERY VISIT WE TAKE ONLY THE LEATHERS FROM PROVEN SOURCES THAT MEET IT, AND WE LEAVE THE REST.
WE WORK IN DEER, COW, CALF, LAMB AND GOAT. WE NEVER USE PIGSKIN. THAT IS A CHOICE OF QUALITY, AND A CHOICE OF RESPECT. IT MEANS 1812 CAN BE WORN BY THOSE WHOSE BELIEFS DO NOT PERMIT PIGSKIN.
WE USE ONLY LEATHER THAT IS A BYPRODUCT OF THE MEAT INDUSTRY OR OF CONSERVATION. NO ANIMAL IS RAISED OR KILLED FOR ITS SKIN. THE HIDE WOULD OTHERWISE BE WASTE. TO TAKE IT, WORK IT BY HAND, AND MAKE IT LAST A LIFETIME IS THE HONEST USE OF WHAT IS ALREADY THERE.
THE LEATHER IS CHOSEN TO AGE, NOT TO PERISH. IT TAKES ON SCARS, CREASES AND PATINA AND BECOMES YOURS. WHEN THE SOLE HAS DONE ITS MILES WE RESOLE IT. THE PAIR GOES ON.
THIS IS WHAT STANDING BEHIND A MATERIAL MEANS. NOT A LOGO ON A PAGE, BUT A CHOICE MADE BY HAND, AT THE SOURCE, EVERY TIME, AND OPEN TO ANYONE WHO ASKS. ONE COLLECTION A YEAR, MADE IN ENGLAND, FROM LEATHER WE HAVE SEEN WITH OUR OWN EYES.
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