5 Iconic British Leather Goods Makers to Shop
England has long been known for its wealth of artisan crafts and beautifully-made products and clothing, and leather goods are no exception. Whether it’s the finest French or Italian calf leathers or the patina-welcoming English bridle and hide leathers, Britain has been honing its leather goods craft for a long time, with some companies dating back over 200 years.
The British take their craftsmanship so seriously, in fact, that companies that have demonstrated their ability to craft fine provisions and routinely supply members of the Royal Family can have a ‘Royal Warrant of Appointment’ bestowed upon them.
Warrants are an extreme source of pride and honor for the company and can only be granted by three most senior members of the Royal Family. Royal Warrants have been granted for goods and services for centuries and continue to this day.
Here’s a quick look at 5 of the most iconic brands that continue to provide some of the finest leather goods in the world:
Asprey
- Founded in 1781
- Royal Warrant: Yes
Asprey is one of the oldest purveyors of all things luxury and although they may be better known for their jewelry, their name is synonymous with bespoke English craftsmanship and their leather products are befitting of their reputation. They have their own workshops above their flagship retail location in Mayfair, London that work on custom orders and can even do some repairs while you wait.
Connolly
- Founded in 1878
- Royal Warrant(s): Yes
Anyone familiar with luxury British cars will know the name Connolly. The brand is famous for supplying the leather that covers the interiors of Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, the Concord jet and even the QE2 ocean liner. Connolly even crossed into interior decor with the iconic Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair as well as Britain’s House of Parliament benches.
Fortnum and Mason’s Men’s floor is one of the few places in London to see some of the Connolly collection in person. They had some lifestyle products on display, including some sports apparel and small leather goods like wallets and key cases. The leather and workmanship looked and felt top-notch as expected, and the styles were a touch less formal than the other brands on this list. A great collection to find a gift for that special car aficionado in your life or for anyone who simply enjoys British leather know-how and history.
Ettinger
- Founded in 1934
- Royal Warrant: Yes
Launer
- Founded in the 1940’s
- Royal Warrant: Yes
It is said that the Queen of England is rarely seen out in public without a Launer handbag in tow. That is quite the celebrity endorsement for this relatively young company who has long been a supplier of leather goods to the Queen and other members of the Royal family.
Smythson
- Founded in 1887
- Royal Warrant: Yes
Frank Smythson opened his first shop on New Bond Street in London in 1887 and both his name and business still endures today. Smythson’s leather products are elegantly-British in design and well made.
Tivoli Group, an Italian leather goods company, purchased Smythson in 2009. Unlike many of the other brands listed here, Smythson has ‘crossed the pond’ and opened a retail store in New York City and also sells its products through higher-end US retailers like Barney’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.
If you find yourself looking for a special piece of luggage, wallet or maybe a handbag and can appreciate the history and experience of British leather making, you can’t go wrong shopping the collections of these five British icons.
